Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/558bv.pdf
Page Number: 234.0

Cite as: 558 U. S. 67 (2009) 

73 

Opinion of the Court 

composed  of  two  representatives  of  labor  and  two  of  indus­
try, with a neutral referee serving as tiebreaker.  See id., at 
610–613.  To  supply  the  representative  arbitrators,  Con­
gress  established  the  NRAB,  a  board  of  34  private  persons 
representing  labor  and  industry  in  equal  numbers.  § 153 
First  (a);  see  Trainmen  v.  Chicago  R.  &  I.  R.  Co.,  353  U. S. 
30, 36–37 (1957).2  Neutral referees, the RLA provides, shall 
be  appointed  by  the  representative  arbitrators  or,  failing 
their  agreement,  by  the  National  Mediation  Board.  § 153 
First  (l).  The  1934  Amendment  authorized  the  NRAB  to 
adopt, at a one-time session in 1934, “such rules as it deems 
necessary to control proceedings,” § 153 First (v); the product 
of  that  rulemaking,  codiﬁed  at  29  CFR  pt.  301  (2009),  is 
known as Circular One. 

In keeping with Congress’ aim to promote peaceful settle­
ment  of  minor  disputes,  the  RLA  requires  employees  and 
carriers,  before  resorting  to  arbitration,  to  exhaust  the 
grievance  procedures  speciﬁed  in  the  collective-bargaining 
agreement  (hereinaf ter  CBA).  See  45  U. S. C.  § 153 
First  (i).  This  stage  of  the  dispute-resolution  process  is 
known as “on-property” proceedings.  As a ﬁnal prearbitra­
tion  step,  the  Act  directs  parties  to  attempt  settlement  “in 
conference”  between  designated  representatives  of  the  car­
rier and the grievant-employee.  § 152 Second, Sixth.3  The 

2 The RLA divides the NRAB into four divisions, each covering speciﬁed 

classes of railroad employees.  § 153 First (h). 

3 Central to the instant controversy, § 152 Second, Sixth read, in full: 
“Second.  Consideration of disputes by representatives. 
“All  disputes  between  a  carrier  or  carriers  and  its  or  their  employees 
shall be considered, and, if possible, decided, with all expedition, in confer­
ence  between  representatives  designated  and  authorized  so  to  confer, 
respectively,  by  the  carrier  or  carriers  and  by  the  employees  thereof  in­
terested in the dispute.” 

“Sixth.  Conference of representatives; time; place; private agreements. 
“In  case  of  a  dispute  between  a  carrier  or  carriers  and  its  or  their  em­
ployees,  arising  out  of  grievances  or  out  of  the  interpretation  or  applica­
tion  of  agreements  concerning  rates  of  pay,  rules,  or  working  conditions, 
it shall be the duty of the designated representative or representatives of