December 20, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

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

Re: EMERGENCY BOARD CREATED TO INVESTIGATE DISPUTE BETWEEN UNITED AIRLINES AND IAM

President Bush today created an emergency board to investigate collective bargaining disputes between United Airlines, Inc. and its mechanics and related employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). The emergency board is effective December 21, 2001. The President appointed Helen M. Witt of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as Chairman, and David P. Twomey of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and Ira F. Jaffe of Potomac, Maryland, as members. All three are neutral labor arbitrators and members of the National Academy of Arbitrators. The National Academy of Arbitrators is a professional association which fosters high standards of integrity and competence and includes as members the premier labor relations neutrals in the country.

Ms Witt has served on prior presidential emergency boards, most recently served as Chairman in the dispute between Northwest Airlines and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). She is a former chairman and member of the National Mediation Board. She serves as the permanent arbitrator on nine panels serving both the private and public sectors. Ms Witt is the neutral chairman of the American Bar Association's Subcommittee on Development and Training of Arbitrators.

Mr. Twomey has been a member of prior presidential emergency boards. Mr. Twomey is a professor in the School of Management at Boston College. Besides his membership in the National Academy of Arbitrators, Mr. Twomey is a member of the American Arbitration Association and the Massachusetts Board of Conciliation and Arbitration.

Mr. Jaffe has been a full time arbitrator and mediator since 1981. He currently serves on over 35 permanent arbitration panels in a wide variety of industries and has presided over more than 2,500 labor and employment cases. His is a member and former president of the Society of Federal Labor Relations Professionals.

Pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, the emergency board will conduct hearings and make a recommendation for settlement within 30 days of the President's creation of the board. No work stoppages are permissible during this 30 day period, nor during the 30 days following the board's recommendations.

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