Title 45 — RailroadsRelease 119-73

§908 Employee protection agreements

Title 45 › Chapter CHAPTER 18— - MILWAUKEE RAILROAD RESTRUCTURING › § 908

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Milwaukee Railroad and the unions that speak for its workers must try, within 20 days after November 4, 1979, to make a deal that protects employees who lose work because of service cuts or a company restructuring. The protections can include things like temporary help, moving costs, relocation incentives, and separation pay. If they cannot agree in 20 days, they must send the dispute to the National Mediation Board right away. The Board must try to mediate and get an agreement by 40 days after November 4, 1979. If mediation fails, the railroad and unions must immediately enter a fair agreement. Once a deal is in place, workers must file claims with the Board in the time and manner the Board sets. The Board will decide each worker’s benefit amount and tell the railroad to pay. Those payments must be made under the law and will be treated as administrative expenses of the railroad’s estate.

Full Legal Text

Title 45, §908

Railroads — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Milwaukee Railroad and labor organizations representing the employees of such railroad may, not later than 20 days after November 4, 1979, enter into an agreement providing protection for employees of such railroad who are adversely affected as a result of a reduction in service by such railroad or a restructuring transaction carried out by such railroad. Such employee protection may include, but need not be limited to, interim employee assistance, moving expenses, employee relocation incentive compensation, and separation allowances.

(b)If the Milwaukee Railroad and the labor organizations representing the employees of such railroad are unable to enter into an employee protection agreement under subsection (a) of this section within 20 days after November 4, 1979, the parties shall immediately submit the matter to the National Mediation Board. The National Mediation Board shall attempt, by mediation, to bring the parties to an agreement with respect to employee protection no later than 40 days after November 4, 1979.

(c)(1)If the National Mediation Board is unable to bring the parties to an agreement under subsection (b) of this section within 40 days after November 4, 1979, the Milwaukee Railroad and the labor organizations representing the employees of such railroad shall immediately enter into an employee protection agreement that is fair and equitable.

(2)If an employee protection agreement is entered into under this subsection, any claim of an employee for benefits and allowances under such agreement shall be filed with the Board in such time and manner as the Board by regulation shall prescribe. The Board shall determine the amount for which such employee is eligible under such agreement and shall certify such amount to the Milwaukee Railroad for payment.

(d)Benefits and allowances under an employee protection agreement entered into under this section shall be paid by the Milwaukee Railroad in accordance with section 914 of this title, and claims of employees for such benefits and allowances shall be treated as administrative expenses of the estate of the Milwaukee Railroad.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

45 U.S.C. § 908

Title 45 — Railroads

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73