Disputes between the Long Island Rail Road Company and several labor organizations remain unresolved, prompting presidential intervention. The labor organizations involved include the Transportation Communications Union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
These disputes have not been settled under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), 45 U.S.C. 151‑188. A previous emergency board was established on September 18, 2025, by Executive Order 14349 to investigate these issues. That board concluded its work after submitting a report to the President; however, not all parties accepted its recommendations.
Following a request from a party empowered by the RLA, President Donald J. Trump has ordered the creation of a second emergency board under section 9A of the RLA (45 U.S.C. 159a). According to section 9A(e) of the act, this action is required upon such a request.
The order states: "There is established, effective 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 16, 2026, a Board composed of a chair and two other members, all of whom shall be appointed by the President to investigate and report on these disputes. No member shall be pecuniarily or otherwise interested in any organization of railroad employees or any carrier. The Board shall perform its functions subject to the availability of funds."
Within 30 days after its formation, both sides must submit final settlement offers to the board as specified by section 9A(f) of the RLA. The board will then select what it considers to be the most reasonable offer and report its findings to the President within another 30 days.
The order further notes: "As provided by section 9A(h) of the RLA, from the time a request to establish the Board is made until 60 days after the Board submits its report to the President, the parties to the controversy shall make no change in the conditions out of which the disputes arose except by agreement of the parties."
All records generated by this emergency board will be maintained as official records of the Office of the President and later held in custody by the National Mediation Board after termination.
The board will cease operations once it submits its report as described in section two of this order. Costs for publishing this order are assigned to the Department of Transportation.
President Donald J. Trump signed this executive order at The White House on January 14, 2026.
