29 C.F.R. § 1207.1

Establishment of special adjustment boards (PL Boards)

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Public Law 89-456 (80 Stat. 208) governs procedures to be followed by carriers and representatives of employees in the establishment and functioning of special adjustment boards, hereinafter referred to as PL Boards. Public Law 89-456 requires action by the National Mediation Board in the following circumstances:

(a) Designation of party member of PL Board. Public Law 89-456 provides that within thirty (30) days from the date a written request is made by an employee representative upon a carrier, or by a carrier upon an employee representative, for the establishment of a PL Board, an agreement establishing such a Board shall be made. If, however, one party fails to designate a member of the Board, the party making the request may ask the Mediation Board to designate a member on behalf of the other party. Upon receipt of such request, the Mediation Board will notify the party which failed to designate a partisan member for the establishment of a PL Board of the receipt of the request. The Mediation Board will then designate a representative on behalf of the party upon whom the request was made. This representative will be an individual associated in interest with the party he is to represent. The designee, together with the member appointed by the party requesting the establishment of the PL Board, shall constitute the Board.

(b) Appointment of a neutral to determine matters concerning the establishment and/or jurisdiction of a PL Board. (1) When the members of a PL Board constituted in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, for the purpose of resolving questions concerning the establishment of the Board and/or its jurisdiction, are unable to resolve these matters, then and in that event, either party may ten (10) days thereafter request the Mediation Board to appoint a neutral member to determine these procedural issues.

(2) Upon receipt of this request, the Mediation Board will notify the other party to the PL Board. The Mediation Board will then designate a neutral member to sit with the PL Board and resolve the procedural issues in dispute. When the neutral has determined the procedural issues in dispute, he shall cease to be a member of the PL Board.

(c) Appointment of neutral to sit with PL Boards and dispose of disputes. (1) When the members of a PL Board constituted by agreement of the parties, or by the appointment of a party member by the Mediation Board, as described in paragraph (a) of this section, are unable within ten (10) days after their failure to agree upon an award to agree upon the selection of a neutral person, either member of the Board may request the Mediation Board to appoint such neutral person and upon receipt of such request, the Mediation Board shall promptly make such appointment.

(2) A request for the appointment of a neutral under paragraph (b) of this section or this paragraph (c) shall;

(i) Show the authority for the request—Public Law 89-456, and

(ii) Define and list the proposed specific issues or disputes to be heard.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1975–2025 · leading case: P. J. O'Neill v. Pub. Law Bd. No. 550, 581 F.2d 692 (7th Cir. 1978).

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P. J. O'Neill v. Pub. Law Bd. No. 550, 581 F.2d 692 (7th Cir. 1978). “Although § 3 Second indicates that the members of special adjustment boards are to “determine all matters not previously agreed on by the carrier and the representative of the employees with respect to the establishment and jurisdiction of the board,” neither the statute nor the…”

Jeffrey Neylon v. BNSF Ry. Co., 968 F.3d 724 (8th Cir. 2020). “§ 153 Second (allowing special adjustment boards); 29 C.F.R. § 1207.1 (governing establishment of “special adjustment boards,” “referred to as PL Boards”).”

Denver & Rio Grande W. R. Co. v. Blackett, 398 F. Supp. 1205 (D. Colo. 1975). · cites it 2× “The plaintiff contends the neutral member of the Board is authorized to participate only in the resolution of procedural issues and that his participation in the determination of jurisdictional issues and a resolution of the ease on its merits exceeded his authority and cites 29…”

Bhd. of Locomotive Engineers Int'l Union v. Union Pac. R.R., 134 F.3d 1325 (8th Cir. 1998). “1 (1997), is a method of resolving minor disputes, that is, “disputes between an employee or group of employees and a carrier or carriers growing out of grievances or out of the interpretation or application of agreements concerning rates of pay, rules, or working conditions.”

Berberich v. Kansas City S. Ry. Co. (10th Cir. 2025). “§ 153 ; 29 C.F.R. § 1207.1 . The Board concluded that Plaintiff had violated KCSR’s safety rules but that dismissal was too severe a punishment, and he was reinstated without backpay.”

Ble v. Utu (8th Cir. 1998). “§ 153 Second, commonly referred to as a public law board (PLB), see 29 C.F.R. § 1207.1 (1997), is a method of resolving minor disputes, that is, "disputes between an employee or group of employees and a carrier or carriers growing out of grievances or out of the interpretation…”

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