Executive Order 13060

Disputes exist between Amtrak and its employees represented by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes.

These disputes have not heretofore been adjusted under the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as amended (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) (the "Act").

In the judgement of the National Mediation Board, these disputes threaten substantially to interrupt interstate commerce to a degree that would deprive a section of the country of essential transportation service.

Now, Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States; including section 10 of the Act (45 U.S.C. 160), it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment of Emergency Board ("Board").

There is established, effective August 21, 1997, a Board of three members to be appointed by the President to investigate these disputes. No member shall be pecuniarily or otherwise interested in any organization of railroad employees or any railroad carrier. The Board shall perform its functions subject to the availability of funds.

Sec. 2. Report.

The Board shall report to the President with respect to these disputes within 30 days of its creation.

Sec. 3. Maintaining Conditions.

As provided by section 10 of the Act, from the date of the creation of the Board and for 30 days after the Board has submitted its report to the President, no change in the conditions out of which the disputes arose shall be made by the parties to the controversy, except by agreement of the parties.

Sec. 4. Records Maintenance.

The records and files of the Board are records of the Office of the President and upon the Board's termination shall be maintained in the physical custody of the National Mediation Board.

Sec. 5. Expiration.

The Board shall terminate upon the submission of the report provided for in sections 2 and 3 of this order.

William J. Clinton
The White House,
August 21, 1997.

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., August 22, 1997]