NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD
Press Release
Washington, DC 20572
(202) 692-5000
July 1, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD
Contact: NMB Public Information Line — (202) 692-5050
Re: Puchala Assumes NMB Chairmanship
Washington, DC — The National Mediation Board (NMB) is pleased to announce that Ms. Linda A. Puchala has been named Chairman of the National Mediation Board, effective July 1, 2019. Mr. Gerald Fauth, III and Ms. Kyle Fortson remain as Members of the Board.
Ms. Linda Puchala was first confirmed as Member of the National Mediation Board by the United States Senate on May 21, 2009. Ms. Puchala served as Chairman from May 2009 through June 30, 2009, July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, and from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Her most recent Senate confirmation came on November 2, 2017.
Prior to becoming a Member, Ms. Puchala served 10 years at the National Mediation Board as a Mediator, Sr. Mediator (ADR) and the Associate Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution Services. Ms. Puchala’s prior labor relations experience includes work as International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO and Staff Director, Michigan State Employees Association, AFSCME, AFL-CIO.
Ms. Puchala resides in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cleary University in Howell, Michigan.
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The National Mediation Board (NMB) is an independent agency created by the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor management relations in the railroad and airline industries. To avoid serious disruptions to the Nation’s economy and protect the public interest, the Act imposes on carriers and their employees the duty of settling disputes through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. The NMB, headed by three Presidential appointees, has as its chief statutory responsibilities: (1) mediation of collective bargaining disputes; (2) determination of employee representation for collective bargaining processes; and (3) administration of a grievance arbitration system.
Contact: NMB Public Information Line: 202-692-5050
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