January 3, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

Contact: NMB Public Information Line -- (202) 692-5050

RE: EMERGENCY BOARD CREATED ON AMTRAK DISPUTE

Washington, D.C. -- Effective December 1, 2007, President George W. Bush established Emergency Board 242 to investigate collective bargaining disputes between the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; the Joint Council of Carmen, comprised of the Transportation Communications International Union/Brotherhood Railway Carmen Division and the Transport Workers Union of America; the American Train Dispatchers Association; the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers/Service Employees International Union; and the Transportation Communications International Union -- American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association. On December 30, 2007, the President received the report and recommendations of the Emergency Board. The President has urged the parties to continue to work in good faith to resolve their dispute, taking into account the Emergency Board's recommendations.

The five-member Emergency Board appointed by the President consisted of Ira F. Jaffe, of Potomac, Maryland; Joshua M. Javits, of Washington, District of Columbia; Annette M. Sandberg, of Alexandria, Virginia; Peter W. Tredick, of Santa Barbara, California, and upon appointment, designated Chair; and Helen M. Witt, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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