Establishing a Second Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between the Long Island Rail Road Company and Certain of its Employees Represented by Certain Labor Organizations

1/14/2026

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Purpose: Establish a second emergency board to investigate and report on disputes between the Long Island Rail Road Company and certain employees represented by multiple labor organizations.
Background: Follows a previous board established in September 2025 whose recommendations were not accepted by all parties; activated under Section 9A of the Railway Labor Act (RLA).
Authority: Issued by the President under the powers granted by the Constitution and the RLA (45 U.S.C. 151‑188 and 159a).
Board Composition & Independence: The Board will consist of a chair and two members, all appointed by the President, with no pecuniary or other interests in any railroad employees’ organization or carrier.
Reporting Requirements:
- Parties must submit final settlement offers within 30 days of the Board’s creation.
- The Board will submit a report to the President within 30 days after receiving these offers, selecting the most reasonable offer.
Maintaining Conditions: From the request for Board establishment until 60 days after the report submission, the dispute conditions cannot be altered except by mutual agreement of the parties.
Records & Custody: All Board records are designated as Office of the President records and will be maintained by the National Mediation Board upon termination of the Board.
Expiration & Publication Cost: The Board will terminate upon report submission; publication costs are to be covered by the Department of Transportation.

Risks & Considerations

This Executive Order primarily concerns labor disputes within the Long Island Rail Road Company, which are outside the direct purview of Vanderbilt University. However, the precedent it sets for federal intervention in labor disputes could influence broader labor relations and policies that might affect university staff and faculty unions.
The establishment of an emergency board suggests a potential model for resolving complex labor disputes, which could be relevant if similar mechanisms are considered in academic settings.
The political and economic implications of federal involvement in labor disputes may create an environment where universities must navigate changing labor laws and practices, potentially impacting administrative strategies and labor negotiations.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt Law School might experience increased interest in labor law programs given the federal attention to labor disputes and the role of legal frameworks like the Railway Labor Act.
The Owen Graduate School of Management could explore case studies on labor negotiations and conflict resolution for incorporation into management and human resources curricula.
Vanderbilt’s Human Resources Department may need to monitor developments in labor policy adjustments that could affect university employment practices.

Financial Impact

While the direct financial impact on Vanderbilt University is minimal, there could be indirect effects if the labor dispute results in significant changes to transportation policies or funding that affects university operations, particularly if similar actions influence labor markets.
Potential changes in labor relations practices could necessitate adjustments in budgeting for human resources and legal compliance, depending on future federal actions.

Relevance Score: 2 (Minor considerations for the university to address in relation to labor relations and policy implications.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt University Law School could explore opportunities to offer legal expertise or mediation services in the context of labor relations and disputes, potentially collaborating on research or programs related to the Railway Labor Act and its applications.
The Department of Political Science might consider conducting research on the implications of governmental intervention in labor disputes, analyzing its effects on labor policies and practices within the transportation sector.
Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management could develop case studies based on the dispute resolution processes in the railway industry to enhance its curriculum in negotiation and conflict resolution.

Opportunities

The creation of the emergency board offers a chance for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to engage with transportation industry stakeholders, potentially developing partnerships focused on improving infrastructure and technology in rail systems.
The executive order may present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Transportation Research to analyze the economic and operational impacts of labor disputes in the rail industry, contributing insights valuable to policy and industry decision-makers.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments may be needed to leverage legal, political, and engineering expertise in relation to the executive order and its impact on the transportation sector.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

January 16, 2026: Effective establishment of the Second Emergency Board.
Within 30 Days: Parties to the dispute must submit final offers for settlement, starting from the Board’s creation.
Within 30 Days (following final offers): The Board is required to submit its report to the President.
Up to 60 Days (post-report): Parties must maintain the prevailing conditions without change except by mutual agreement.

The shortest timeline is 30 days, indicating that urgent action is required within a two-month period.

Relevance Score: 4

Impacted Government Organizations

Office of the President: As the issuer of the executive order, the President establishes and oversees the creation and operation of the new emergency board.
National Mediation Board (NMB): The NMB is designated to take physical custody of the board’s records following its termination, linking it directly to the dispute resolution process under the Railway Labor Act.
Department of Transportation: This department is explicitly assigned the costs for the publication of the order, thereby being fiscally implicated in its implementation.

Relevance Score: 2 (Three agencies are directly affected by the executive order.)

Responsible Officials

President – Responsible for appointing the Board members and overseeing the investigation and reporting process as mandated by the executive order.
Department of Transportation – Tasked with bearing the publication costs for the order.
National Mediation Board – Charged with maintaining the Board’s records after its termination.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect White House actions and cabinet-level agency oversight).