At the present time, Congress has not passed an appropriation for the National Mediation Board (NMB) for Fiscal Year 2008. The NMB is presently operating under a continuing resolution which expires on November 16, 2007. All of the funding allocated for Section 3 activities under the continuing resolution has been obligated. As a result the NMB will not obligate any funds for travel expenses or days for arbitrators to write or hear cases for November.

All arbitrators are reminded that you can neither travel to hear any cases nor submit any work on any cases if the board or NRAB case is one in which the NMB will compensate the arbitrator. The Anti-Deficiency Act precludes arbitrators from hearing any cases even if no travel is involved. The Act also precludes you from hearing cases for free. This does not apply to party pay boards or cases.