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The National Mediation Board (NMB) is an independent agency of the United States government that coordinates labor-management relations within the U.S. railroads and airlines industries.
 NMB Seal | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 21, 1934[1] |
| Jurisdiction | Federal government of the United States |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Employees | 38 (2021)[2] |
| Annual budget | $14.3 million (2021)[3] |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | www |
The board was established by the 1934 amendments to the Railway Labor Act of 1926 and is headed by a three-person panel of Presidential appointees.
NMB programs provide an integrated dispute resolution process to meet the statutory objective of minimizing strikes and other work stoppages in the airline and railroad industries. The NMB's integrated processes specifically are designed to promote three statutory goals:
- The prompt and orderly resolution of disputes arising out of the negotiation of new or revised collective bargaining agreements;
- The effectuation of employee rights of self-organization where a representation dispute exists; and
- The prompt and orderly resolution of disputes over the interpretation or application of existing agreements.
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Under the Railway Labor Act, an airline or railroad union contract does not expire; it remains in force and amendable until a new contract is ratified by the union members or either side exercises "self-help," which could be a strike by employees or a lockout by management. Before this can happen, the NMB-appointed mediator must declare an impasse in negotiations, which starts a 30-day cooling off period, during which negotiations continue. Once the 30-day period has passed, either side is free to exercise self-help, unless the President authorizes a Presidential Emergency Board, which issues non-binding recommendations followed by another 30-day cooling off period. The US Congress also has the power to impose a contract, as they did for railroads in 2022.
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The Board is composed of three members, nominated by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for terms of three years. The terms are staggered, so one term expires on July 1 every year. At the end of their term of office a member may continue to serve until a successor takes office, or they are themselves confirmed for another term.[4]
The board annually designates a member to act as chairman. Two members of the board constitutes a quorum.[4]
Current board members
The current board members as of December 22, 2024[update]:[5]
| Position | Name | Party | Sworn in | Term expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chair | Loren Sweatt | Republican | April 2, 2024 | July 1, 2026 |
| Member | Linda Puchala | Democratic | May 21, 2009 | July 1, 2027 |
| Member | Deirdre Hamilton | Democratic | January 25, 2022 | July 1, 2025 |
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