Establishing an Emergency Board To Investigate Disputes Between the Long Island Rail Road Company and Certain of Its Employees Represented by Certain Labor Organizations

Executive Order Number: 14349
President: Donald Trump
Signed: September 16, 2025
Published: September 23, 2025
Source: Federal Register
Original Document: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-23/pdf/2025-18479.pdf

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of Executive Order on Long Island Rail Road Labor Disputes

Purpose

The executive order establishes an Emergency Board to investigate and report on unresolved labor disputes between the Long Island Rail Road Company and several employee-represented labor organizations, as mandated by Section 9A of the Railway Labor Act (RLA), 45 U.S.C. 159a.

Key Actions or Directives

Establishment of Board: Effective September 18, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, a three-member Emergency Board, including a chair, will be appointed by the President to investigate the disputes. Members must have no financial or other interests in railroad employee organizations or carriers.
Reporting Deadline: The Board must submit a report to the President within 30 days of its creation (by October 18, 2025).
Maintenance of Conditions: For 120 days from the Board’s creation (until January 16, 2026), no party involved in the disputes may alter the conditions that led to the disagreement, unless by mutual agreement.
Records and Termination: The Board’s records will be maintained by the National Mediation Board after termination, which occurs upon submission of the report.
Funding and Costs: The Board’s functions are subject to available funds, and the Department of Transportation will cover the costs of publishing the order.

Significant Changes to Policy or Law

This order does not introduce new policy or law but activates existing provisions under Section 9A of the RLA to address labor disputes through the creation of an Emergency Board. It enforces a temporary status quo to prevent escalations such as strikes or lockouts during the investigation period.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The National Mediation Board will handle the custody of the Board’s records post-termination. The Department of Transportation bears publication costs, potentially affecting its budget allocation.
Citizens: Commuters and users of the Long Island Rail Road may experience stability in services during the 120-day period due to the mandated maintenance of current conditions, avoiding potential disruptions from strikes or lockouts.
International Relations: No direct impact on international relations is evident, as this is a domestic labor issue.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Long Island Rail Road Company: As the employer, it must maintain existing conditions and cooperate with the Emergency Board’s investigation.
Labor Organizations: Including the Transportation Communications Union, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, these groups are barred from altering conditions unilaterally for 120 days and must engage with the Board.
Employees: Represented by the labor organizations, employees’ working conditions and negotiation outcomes may be influenced by the Board’s findings and report.
Commuters/Public: Users of the Long Island Rail Road may benefit from uninterrupted service during the investigation period.
National Mediation Board: Responsible for maintaining records post-termination.
Department of Transportation: Financially responsible for publication costs of the order.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: The order adheres to the framework of the Railway Labor Act, specifically Section 9A, which empowers the President to intervene in railroad labor disputes to prevent disruptions to interstate commerce. The mandated 120-day status quo aligns with RLA provisions to encourage negotiation over unilateral action.
Constitutional: The President’s authority to issue this order is grounded in both the Constitution (executive power under Article II) and statutory authority under the RLA, presenting no apparent constitutional conflict.
Political: The establishment of an Emergency Board could be perceived as a neutral governmental intervention to balance labor and management interests. However, the outcome of the Board’s report may influence public perception of the administration’s stance on labor issues, especially in a critical transportation sector like the Long Island Rail Road. The timing (close to election cycles or other political events) might also draw attention, though the order itself remains procedural and apolitical in content.

This summary reflects the content and intent of the executive order as issued on September 16, 2025, by President Donald J. Trump, maintaining a focus on factual directives and implications without external commentary.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.