An original joint resolution to provide for the resolution of the single outstanding issue in the current railway labor-management dispute, and for other purposes.
PL 97-262 (S.J.Res.250), enacted 09/22/1982

96 STAT. 1130 
PUBLIC LAW 97-262—SEPT. 22, 1982 
Public Law 97-262 
97th Congress 
Sept. 22, 1982 
[S.J. Res. 250] 
Railway labor-
management 
dispute, 
resolution 
45 use 151. 
Joint Resolution 
To provide for resolution of the single outstanding issue in the current railway 
labor-management dispute, and for other purposes. 
Whereas the labor dispute between the carriers represented by the 
National Carriers' Conference Committee of the National Railway 
Labor Conference and certain of their employees represented by 
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers threatens essential 
transportation services of the Nation; 
Whereas it is essential to the national interest, including the 
national health and defense, that essential transportation services 
be maintained; 
Whereas all of the procedures for resolving such dispute provided 
for in the Railway Labor Act have been exhausted and the parties 
have resorted to self help; 
Whereas the Congress finds that emergency measures are essential 
to security and continuity of transportation services by such 
carriers; 
Whereas all of the other negotiations for a national agreement by 
the rail carriers and the representatives of other railroad employ-
ees have been successfully completed, including the negotiations 
of the carriers and the United Transportation Union that were 
resolved through the Report and Recommendations of Presiden-
tial Emergency Board Numbered 195; and 
Whereas the Recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board 
Numbered 194 for settlement of this dispute have led to agree-
ment of the parties on all but a single issue, and the recommenda-
tion on that issue would preserve the employees' collective 
bargaining rights within the peaceful procedures of the Railway 
Labor Act: Now, therefore, in order to preserve the national 
interest in essential transportation services, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That, consistent with the 
purposes of the Railway Labor Act to avoid any labor dispute that 
threatens substantially to interrupt interstate commerce to a degree 
such as to deprive any section of the country of essential transporta-
tion service— 
(1) the parties to the dispute between the carriers represented 
by the National Carriers' Conference Committee of the 
National Railway Labor Conference and certain of their 
employees represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi-
neers shall take all necessary steps to restore service, and the 
status quo of the parties shall return to that which was in effect 
prior to 12:01 antemeridian of September 19, 1982, which status 
shall remain in effect through June 30, 1984, and which status 
shall be subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this joint 
resolution; and 
(2) the Report and Recommendations of the Presidential 
Emergency Board Numbered 194, dated August 19,1982 (includ-
PUBLIC LAW 97-262—SEPT. 22, 1982 
96 STAT. 1131 
ing the recommendations regarding moratorium issues), shall 
be binding on the parties and shall have the same effect as 
though arrived at by agreement of the parties under the Rail-
way Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), and shall be effective for 
the period from April 1, 1981, through June 30, 1984: Provided, 
That nothing in this joint resolution shall prevent any mutual 
agreement by the parties to implement the terms and condi-
tions established by this joint resolution. 
SEC. 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon enact- Effective date. 
ment. 
Approved September 22, 1982. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. J. Res. 250 (H. J. Res. 600): 
HOUSE REPORT No. 97-853 accompanying H. J. Res. 600 (Comm. on Energy and 
Commerce). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 128 (1982): 
Sept. 21, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 22, considered and passed House. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 18, No. 38 (1982): 
Sept. 22, Presidential statement.