December 14, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

RE: RESIGNATION OF NMB MEMBER HIPP

National Mediation Board Chairwoman Magdalena (Maggie) Jacobsen and Member Ernest DuBester announced today that NMB Member Kenneth B. Hipp submitted his resignation to President Clinton effective December 31, 1998. Hipp was appointed on May 19, 1995 and served together with Jacobsen and DuBester on the three-member Board, which oversees labor- management relations in the airline and railroad industries.

In his letter of resignation to President Clinton, Mr. Hipp noted how the NMB had addressed the increasing complexity of collective bargaining in the airline and railroad industries by creating new programs aimed at making labor dispute resolution "an ongoing interest-based process rather than an end-of-contract power struggle." All three Board members have been vocal in recognizing the present complexity of collective bargaining in these two transportation industries. Deregulation, the development of global transportation systems, and increased competition have brought about dramatic changes in airline and railroad labor-management relations. The current Board initiated major changes to improve staff training, development, and recruitment and to enhance NMB operations generally. New training and facilitation programs were also implemented for labor and management. The goal of these continuing initiatives is to improve the labor-management culture and the effectiveness of collective bargaining in the two industries. Member Hipp thanked President Clinton for his support of the Board and stated that this support was vital in bringing about improved labor relations in the transportation industries.

Mr. Hipp will be joining Marr, Jones and Pepper and returning to private law practice in Honolulu, Hawaii.