National Mediation Board is a United States government agency that administers the Railway Labor Act. This law, enacted in 1926, governs labor-management relations in the railroad and airline industries. The board’s two main functions are (1) to ensure the right of employees to organize into free and independent labor organizations, and (2) to help settle disputes over wages, rules, and working conditions.
In a dispute, either side may ask the board to mediate by suggesting solutions. The board may also enter the dispute without invitation. If mediation fails, the board asks the two sides to accept voluntary arbitration. If the parties agree, the board appoints a referee, whose decision is binding. If the parties refuse to arbitrate, the board formally notifies them that it has not been able to settle the dispute. A 30-day cooling-off period then follows while the board tries to settle the dispute. If an agreement is not reached by the end of this period, the parties are free to act on their own. As a last resort, the president of the United States may establish an emergency board to help end the dispute.
Congress created the board in 1934. It has three members, who are appointed by the president subject to the approval of the Senate.
