Executive Summary: As previously reported, the National Mediation Board (“NMB”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) setting forth a proposal to amend its rules regarding the decertification of labor unions under the Railway Labor Act (“RLA”). On February 28, 2019, the NMB announced it will hold a public hearing for the purpose of soliciting the opinions of persons interested in the NMB’s proposed rule change. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2019 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM and will take place in Training Rooms 2 and 3, located on the 1st Floor of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20005.

The proposed rule change is anticipated to streamline the process for decertification of a craft or class of employees under the RLA by eliminating the unnecessary steps in the current decertification process. Individuals who desire to attend or present at the March 28, 2019 hearing must notify NMB staff in writing of their intent to do so no later than 4:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, March 22, 2019. Details of the public hearing, including requirements for attending and presenting at the hearing, are available on the NMB’s Website under the “What’s New” tab, and on the website of the Federal Register. Comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted by the NMB until April 1, 2019.