Congressmen Join Rail Labor Opposing NMB Rule Proposals

Congressmen Join Rail Labor Opposing NMB Rule Proposals
December 20, 2004 -Recently a letter was sent to the National Mediation Board (NMB) containing 126 signatures of members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging the NMB to withdraw its proposal to implement filing fees for the handling of railroad grievances before the National Railroad Adjustment Board and Public Law Boards. Lead by Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN) and Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL), the Representatives state, “We believe that the NMB lacks authority to issue these regulations. . . .We believe the proposed regulation will result in unions and individuals being discouraged from pursuing grievances.” (Click here to read Congressmen’s Letter)

TCU’s Legislative Department was very active in seeking support for this letter in the House of Representatives. TCU President Robert Scardelletti said, “Our legislative representatives were very persuasive in convincing Congressman to sign-on to this letter.”

TCU and other rail unions have been actively fighting the NMB’s proposed rule changes that would require fees to be paid by the unions when filing for arbitration under the National Railroad Adjustment Board or other special boards of adjustment. This rule change is nothing more than another attack on workers by the Bush Administration.

The NMB has scheduled a public hearing on its proposal for early January. TCU and rail labor will continue to oppose this anti-worker NMB scheme.

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