FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 16, 2025 — The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) is deeply concerned by the recent dismissal of Deirdre E. Hamilton from her seat on the National Mediation Board (NMB). We commend her years of fair and principled service and view this action as a troubling challenge to the independence of labor mediation institutions.
Upholding Statutory Protections and Institutional Integrity
The National Mediation Board has a critical mission under the Railway Labor Act: to help resolve labor disputes, prevent work stoppages, and ensure balance of competing interests in the railroad and airline sectors. Unlike ordinary executive agencies, NMB members are confirmed by the Senate, and their terms are protected by statute. One explicit safeguard is that even after a member’s term expires, that person may continue to serve until a successor is confirmed — the so-called “holdover” provision. The abrupt removal of a member under those conditions raises serious questions about respect for the rule of law and the independence of the mediation process.
While Ms. Hamilton’s term formally ended in June, federal statute allows her to remain until a successor is in place. Her removal, therefore, appears to conflict with established statutory protections and undermines the NMB’s institutional stability.
What This Means for Workers
When independent boards like the NMB are subject to abrupt political interference, the consequences fall hardest on ordinary working people. Labor disputes demand trust in the mediation process; parties must believe that disputes will be handled without undue influence or partisanship. Undermining that trust risks weakening collective bargaining, eroding fairness in disputes, and increasing the potential for prolonged conflict.
Railroad workers and their unions deserve a mediation body that stands above political winds. The removal of a sitting board member under questionable legal grounds casts a shadow of uncertainty over the neutrality of future decisions and the willingness of unions to engage in good-faith mediation.
Recognition of Ms. Hamilton’s Contributions
On behalf of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, we extend our appreciation to Deirdre E. Hamilton for her service on the NMB. She consistently approached her work with fairness, integrity, and respect for the voices of working people. Her commitment to due process and her understanding of the real-world stakes for rail and airline employees enriched the mediation process. We wish her well in the next chapter of her career.
Mike Baldwin, President, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, stated:
“On behalf of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, I want to thank Deirdre Hamilton for her service on the National Mediation Board. She consistently brought fairness and professionalism to her work, ensuring that the voices of working people were respected in the mediation process. We are grateful for her contributions and wish her success in the next chapter of her career.”
Call to Action
- Judicial review and restoration — We urge Ms. Hamilton to pursue all available legal avenues, and for courts to carefully examine whether her removal was lawful. If statutes were violated, she should be restored to her position.
- Congressional oversight and reform — Congress should investigate this removal and reaffirm the legal protections for independent labor boards. Any attempt to override statutory safeguards threatens the legitimacy of labor relations law.
- Support for institutional independence — All stakeholders, including rail carriers, unions, and federal regulators, must respect the independent status of boards like the NMB. Political interference endangers the delicate balance that keeps collective bargaining functioning.
- Enhanced transparency and confirmation process — The Senate should expedite confirmation of fully independent successors. Delays leave boards vulnerable to political manipulation, which harms labor stability.
Conclusion
The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen stands firm in defense of an impartial, legally grounded NMB. Working people deserve mediation and dispute-resolution systems free from arbitrary political interference. We assert that no individual — whether a Board member or a union representative — should be removed in a way that undermines statutory protections or institutional legitimacy.
We will continue to monitor developments, including any legal proceedings, and we pledge to uphold the independence of labor relations institutions in the service of fairness and collective bargaining.
