Establishing an Emergency Board for Long Island Rail Road Disputes
Sep 23, 2025
Sep 23, 2025
Summary
Sets up a special group to look into disagreements between the Long Island Rail Road and its workers to help them find a solution.
What problem does this solve?
Workers and the Long Island Rail Road Company are in a dispute that they cannot solve on their own, which could stop train service. This order creates a special board to study the disagreement and suggest a way to fix it, preventing a strike for 120 days.
Who does this affect?
- Long Island Rail Road Company
- Railroad employee unions
- Rail commuters
What does this order do?
Creates an emergency board
Establishes a three-member board to investigate and report on the labor disputes between the Long Island Rail Road and its unions.
Freezes the current situation
Forbids any changes to the conditions that caused the dispute for 120 days after the board is created, unless both sides agree. This prevents a strike or lockout.
Sets a reporting deadline
Requires the board to give a report on the disputes to the President within 30 days of its creation.
Defines board termination
States that the board will end its work as soon as it submits its report to the President.
What is the real world impact?
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Prevents a transportation shutdown
A strike on the Long Island Rail Road would disrupt the lives of many commuters and hurt the local economy. This order uses the power of the Railway Labor Act to force a 'cooling-off' period and investigation, aiming to prevent a work stoppage.
When does this start?
The order establishes an Emergency Board that becomes effective on September 18, 2025, and includes several key deadlines.
Board establishment
The Emergency Board is officially created and begins its work at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 18, 2025.
Report to the President
The board must submit its report on the disputes within 30 days of its creation.
'Cooling-off' period
For 120 days from the board's creation, neither the company nor the unions can change the situation that led to the dispute.