Federal Position Descriptions
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Chairman and Board Member

Chairman and Board Member, National Mediation Board
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, NMB had $12 million in budget outlays and 44 employees.2

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversees the mediation of collective bargaining disputes, and determines whether and when to release the parties so that they may engage in self-help
• Notifies the president if the board determines that a labor dispute potentially threatens interstate commerce
• Certifies the results of representation elections, and oversees all representation policy decisions, including but not limited to jurisdiction, merger issues, system and craft or class issues, and election interference
• Oversees the funding of arbitration of disputes over the interpretation of collective bargaining agreements in the rail industry
• Generally oversees operations, including budget and personnel matters
• Prevents interruptions of service by airlines or railroad
• Prevents any limitation on the right of employees to organize
• Provides complete independence of self-organization by both parties
• Assists in prompt and orderly settlement of disputes over rates of pay, work rules or working conditions
• Assists in prompt settlement of disputes arising out of grievances over interpretation or applications of existing agreements
• Assists in prompt settlement of disputes involving employee representation issues3

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

Board requirements:
• Composed of three members appointed by the president, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, not more than two of whom shall be of the same political party
• No person in the employment of or who is pecuniarily or otherwise interested in any organization of employees or any carrier shall enter upon the duties of or continue to be a member of the board
• Members serve three-year terms; upon the expiration of his term of office a member shall continue to serve until his successor is appointed and shall have qualified
• The board shall annually designate a member to act as chairman (45 U.S.C. § 154)
Board member requirements:
• Experience with labor issues or mediation

Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Collegiality and integrity
• Ability to handle sensitive issues

Past Appointments
  • Nicholas C. Geale (2013 to 2017): Director of Oversight and Investigations, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Oversight and Investigations Counsel, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Counselor to the Deputy Secretary, Department of Labor4
  • Linda A. Puchala (2009 to 2016): Team Leader, National Mediation Board Review Team, President-Elect Obama Transition Team; Senior Mediator (ADR) and Associate Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution Services, The Board, National Mediation Board; Mediator, The Board, National Mediation Board5
  • Harry R. Hoglander (2002 to 2015): Legislative Specialist, Office of Representative John F. Tierney, U.S. House of Representatives; Labor Representative, United States Aviation Bi-Lateral Delegation; Executive Vice President, Air Line Pilots Association International6
AGENCY

National Mediation Board

Mission: The National Mediation Board (NMB), established by the 1934 amendments to the Railway Labor Act of 1926, is an independent U.S. federal government agency that facilitates labor-management relations within the nation's railroad and airline industries.

COMPENSATION

Board Members: Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)
Chairmen: Level III $165,300 (5 U.S.C. § 5314)1

REPORTS TO

NMB is an independent agency. A member of the board may be removed by the president for inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance in office or ineligibility, but for no other cause. (45 U.S.C. § 154)

SENATE COMMITTEE

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  2. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgDocument.asp?OrgId=-1&LDIBookId=19&LDIOrgId=155386&LDISecId=201&FromRecent=0&Save=1&Position=-1#O155386
  3. OPM
  4. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/PeopleDocument.asp?PersonId=-1&LDIPeopleId=682706&Save=1
  5. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/PeopleDocument.asp?PersonId=-1&LDIPeopleId=474725&Save=1
  6. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/PeopleDocument.asp?PersonId=-1&LDIPeopleId=468766&Save=1
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