Certification and Decertification

When a union or an individual seeks to represent a specific group of employees (craft-or-class) for the purpose of negotiating as a group on wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions (collective bargaining), the NMB investigates the case. The NMB examines the jurisdiction of the carrier under the Railway Labor Act ( RLA); the appropriate carrier and craft-or-class designation; the eligibility of voters; and whether an election is justified. If an election is authorized, the NMB conducts the election and certifies the winning union or individual to represent the group. Additionally, the NMB ensures that the representation process occurs without interference, influence or coercion.

Decertification is the loss of its NMB certification (representation rights) by an incumbent union or individual. The NMB does not have a union-decertification process per se. However, if an incumbent organization or individual loses an election, it loses its representation status.

See the NMB Representation Manual or Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Internal Union Matters

The NMB does not have jurisdiction over internal union matters such as the election of union officials, voting to strike, or the voting to approve (ratify) a collective bargaining agreement.

Other Information regarding Representation

For a Description of NMB representation, click here.

For frequently asked questions (FAQs), click here.

For a menu of other representation information, click here.