Posted October 19, 2015 11:57:21 CDT

National Labor Negotiations

by Labor Relations

Part 1 - Introduction

A new round of national negotiations between the nation's rail carriers and unions kicked off this past November. The collective bargaining process between railroad management and rail unions is governed by the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Under the RLA, rail collective bargaining agreements remain in force indefinitely until the parties agree to change them. With no contract expiration date, negotiators do not work against a fixed deadline. Instead, negotiations proceed through various steps, including compulsory mediation, designed to encourage a negotiated settlement.

Neither side can engage in "self help" - a labor strike or a unilateral implementation of management terms - unless these steps have been exhausted. The RLA was expressly designed to avoid disruptions to rail transportation due to labor disputes.

As we advance in the National Negotiation process, LR Connection will host a permanent page to keep you up to date on the progress.