August 25, 1984
The President announced the creation of Presidential Emergency Board No. 204 to investigate
and make recommendations for settlement of a current dispute between Port Authority
Trans-Hudson Corporation and employees represented by the Brotherhood of Railroad
Signalmen. The President, by Executive order, created the emergency board pursuant to an
appropriate request as mandated by the Railway Labor Act.
The emergency board procedures of the Railway Labor Act applicable to commuter railroads
provide that the board will report its findings and recommendations for settlement to the President
within 30 days. The parties must then consider the recommedations of the emergency board and
endeavor to resolve their differences without engaging in self-help during a subsequent 90-day
period.