Railway Labor Act (RLA)

For more than four decades, Morgan Lewis has assisted air and rail carriers in their labor relations under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Our experience is diverse, ranging from representing a single carrier in a representation dispute before the National Mediation Board (NMB), to counseling an entire industry in national collective bargaining negotiations. Our RLA practice has used all forums of dispute resolution, including federal court litigation and boards of arbitration in both "rights" and "interests" disputes. Our past experience, coupled with the particular capabilities of our attorneys, allows us to partner with employers to find creative solutions to labor and employment issues that arise in the railroad and airline industries. We also advise clients in connection with "major" and "minor" disputes, challenges to carriers’ rights to change or interpret the "status quo," and with respect to rates of pay, rules, and working conditions.