A joint resolution to provide for a settlement to the Maine Central Railroad Company and Portland Terminal Company labor-management dispute.
PL 99-431 (S.J.Res.415), enacted 09/30/1986

PUBLIC LAW 99-431—SEPT. 30, 1986 
100 STAT. 987 
Public Law 99-431 
99th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To provide for a settlement to the Maine Central Railroad Company and Portland 
Sept. 30, 1986 
Terminal Company labor-management dispute. 
[S.J. Res. 415] 
Whereas the labor dispute between the common rail carriers, Maine 
Central Railroad Company and Portland Terminal Company, and 
certain of the employees of such carriers represented by the 
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees threatens essen-
tial transportation services of the Nation; 
Whereas it is essential to the national interest, including the na-
tional health and defense, that essential transportation services 
be maintained; 
Whereas the Congress finds that emergency measures are essential 
to security and continuity of transportation services by such 
carriers; 
Whereas the President by Executive Order Numbered 12557 of 
May 16, 1986, pursuant to the provisions of section 10 of the 3 CFR, 1986 
Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 160), created a Presidential Emer- Comp., p. 215. 
gency Board to investigate the dispute and report findings; 
Whereas the recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board 
Numbered 209 for settlement of such dispute have not yet resulted 
in a settlement; 
Whereas the extension of the provisions of section 10 of the Railway 
Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 160) for an additional 60-day period to such 
dispute provided by the joint resolution entitled: "Joint resolution 
to provide for a temporary prohibition of strikes or lockouts 
with respect to the Maine Central Railroad Company and the 
Portland Terminal Company labor-management dispute", ap-
proved August 21, 1986 (Public Law 99-385), has not yet resulted Ante, p. 819. 
in a settlement of such dispute; 
Whereas the advisory board established pursuant to section 2 of 
such joint resolution recommended that in the event that the 
parties to the dispute were unable to reach agreement on the 
dispute before September 13, 1986, the Congress should enact 
legislation directing the parties to accept and apply the rec-
ommendations of Emergency Board Numbered 209, and if such 
parties are unable to agree as to all necessary details in applying 
the recommendations of such Emergency Board, all such un-
settled issues should be submitted to final and binding arbitration; 
Whereas all the procedures for resolving such dispute provided for 
in the Railway Labor Act have been exhausted and have not yet 45 use 151 note. 
resulted in settlement of the dispute; 
Whereas the Congress, under the Commerce Clause of the Constitu-
tion, has the authority and responsibility to ensure the uninter-
rupted operation of essential transportation services; and 
Whereas the Congress in the past has enacted legislation for such 
purposes: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That the following 
100 STAT. 988 
PUBLIC LAW 99-431—SEPT. 30, 1986 
conditions shall apply to the dispute referred to in Executive Order 
3 CFR, 1986 
Numbered 12557 of May 16,1986, between the common rail carriers, 
Comp., p. 215. 
Maine Central Railroad Company and Portland Terminal Company 
(hereafter in this resolution referred to as the "carriers") and the 
employees of such carriers represented by the Brotherhood of 
Maintenance of Way Employees. 
(1) The parties to such dispute shall take all necessary steps to 
restore or preserve the conditions out of which such dispute arose as 
such conditions existed before 12:01 ante meridiem of March 3,1986, 
except as provided in paragraphs (2) through (4). 
(2) The report and recommendations of Presidential Emergency 
Board Numbered 209 shall be binding on the parties and shall have 
the same effect as though arrived at by agreement of the parties 
under the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), except that 
nothing in this joint resolution shall prevent a mutual written 
agreement by the parties to any terms and conditions different from 
those established by this joint resolution. 
(3XA) If there are unresolved implementing issues remaining with 
respect to the report and recommendations or agreement under 
paragraph (2) after ten days after the date of the enactment of this 
joint resolution, the parties to the dispute shall enter into binding 
arbitration to provide for a resolution of such issues. 
(B) The National Mediation Board established by section 4 of the 
Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 154) shall appoint an arbitrator to 
resolve the issues described in subparagraph (A). Except as provided 
in this joint resolution, such arbitration shall be conducted as if it 
45 use 157. 
were under section 7 of such Act, and any award of such arbitration 
45 use 159. 
shall be enforceable as if under section 9 of such Act. 
(4) Within thirty days after the date of the enactment of this joint 
resolution, the binding arbitration entered into pursuant to para-
graph (3) shall be completed. 
Approved September 30, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 415: 
eONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): 
Sept. 17, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 23, considered and passed House. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 22 (1986): 
Sept. 30, Presidential statement.