The following diagrams are meant to show the Railway Labor Act negotiation processes for both the Non-Commuter and the Commuter operations. The Non-Commuter diagram applies to all rail freight operations, Amtrak, and Airlines. The Communter diagram applies to the rail Commuter operations and falls under Section 9 (a) of the RLA (Section 159a. Special Procedures for commuter service)
In the first two diagram, the color red is used to signify when neither party has control of the decision although they both may try to influence it.
The second two diagrams were earlier versions; they use a circle to show that neither party has control of the decision.
Chart with 2nd PEB used for PRC RLA Panel Discussion - 9/25/2003.
Click on Picture to enlarge.
You may also find helpful the National Mediation Board's Chart of the RLA collective bargaining process.
