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President Bush recently established Emergency Board 242, effective Dec. 1, to investigate collective bargaining disputes between Amtrak and several labor unions.

The board will conduct a hearing and make a settlement recommendation within 30 days. No work stoppages are permitted following the creation of the emergency board and for 30 days after the board issues its report to the president.

In late October, the National Mediation Board released Amtrak and eight unions from statutory mediation, and the parties began a 30-day cooling-off period on Nov. 1. The national intercity passenger railroad is seeking agreements with the Transportation Communications International Union, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, Joint Council of Carmen, American Train Dispatchers Association, National Conference of Firemen and Oilers, and International Association of Machinists.