Philadelphia Transit Strike

Two members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) union, who declined to be identified, wave to passing cars as they walk a picket line outside the Roberts Avenue rail yard in Philadelphia on Saturday June 14, 2014, after the two unions went on strike after the two unions went on strike at midnight Friday. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett asked President Barack Obama on Saturday to intervene the dispute between the Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and its engineers and electricians unions.

(AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

President Barack Obama announced Saturday he was appointing an emergency board to help end Philadelphia's rail strike as requested earlier in the day by Gov. Tom Corbett.

According to a statement released from the White House, the Presidential Emergency board will hear evidence from both sides and within 30 days submit a report to Obama recommending how the dispute should be resolved.

Earlier today, Corbett said presidential action was needed to help mediate the contract dispute between the Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and its engineers and electricians unions. More than 400 workers went on strike at midnight, and no talks were scheduled over the weekend.

Workers will have to return to the job when the board goes into effect after midnight, however SEPTA said it would take eight to 10 hours to restore service. They don't have to resume direct talks with each other, but they do have to participate with the board's process, which typically involves written submissions and hearings.

The unions have said they would comply with the law, but said the strike is designed to force SEPTA to agree to their demands or accept binding arbitration. Workers are seeking raises of at least 14.5 percent over five years — or about 3 percentage points more than SEPTA has offered.

"Yes, the strike is worth it. It's our intention to encourage SEPTA to make a reasonable settlement," Stephen Bruno, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said at an afternoon news conference.

The move shut down 13 train lines that carry commuters from Philadelphia to the suburbs, Philadelphia International Airport and New Jersey. SEPTA said it would take eight to 10 hours to restore service if the president intervenes. The agency's subways, trolleys and buses continue to run.

The following are the names and background information of the three people appointed to the emergency board, according the White House statement:

Richard R. Kasher, Appointee for Chair, Presidential Emergency Board No. 246

Richard R. Kasher has been a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators since 1983 and a full-time arbitrator since 1978. He was the National Mediation Board's first General Counsel from 1971 to 1975. He is the sole neutral member of the Health and Welfare Fund, established by the Nation's railroads and unions representing approximately 190,000 employees, and has served on many rosters of arbitrators, including the American Arbitration Association, the National Mediation Board, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the Pennsylvania public employee arbitration/mediation agencies. Mr. Kasher has been appointed ten times by Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, William Clinton, and George W. Bush to serve as either Chair or a Member of a Presidential Emergency Board. He received a B.A. from Queens College and an M.L.L in Labor Law from New York University School of Law.

Ann S. Kenis, Appointee for Member, Presidential Emergency Board No. 246

Ann S. Kenis has been a professional arbitrator for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and American Arbitration Association since 1992 and a hearing officer for the Illinois State Board of Education since 1994. She has arbitrated hundreds of disputes in a wide array of industries, including the railroads, manufacturing, automotive, education, transportation, postal service, public sector, service industries, trucking and transportation. From 1984 to 1991, she was an associate attorney for Arbitrator Elliott H. Goldstein. She began her career as an attorney representing clients in matters of employment and education at Kerr & Longwell from 1981 to 1984. Ms. Kenis has been on the arbitration roster of the National Mediation Board for 20 years. She is on permanent panels for the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services and its various unions, the Chicago Transit Authority and ATU Locals 241 and 308, and Caterpillar and the United Auto Workers. Ms. Kenis is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators and has served as Secretary/Treasurer of the National Association of Railroad Referees. She received a B.S. from University of Illinois, an M.A. from Northwestern University, and a J.D. from Loyola University.

Bonnie S. Weinstock Appointee for Member, Presidential Emergency Board No. 246

Bonnie S. Weinstock has been a labor and employment arbitrator and mediator since 1981. She is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators. She is also on the arbitration panels of the American Arbitration Association, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the National Mediation Board, and numerous state and local panels. She has a nationwide practice and has served as an arbitrator in a variety of industries, including airlines, hotels and restaurants, health care, education, service, publishing, government, entertainment, and manufacturing. Ms. Weinstock has served as a member of the Advisory Council for Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations School and the President's Council of Cornell Women. She was a founding member of the Advisory Board of the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at Cornell University and helped to develop curriculum for arbitration training. Ms. Weinstock is a former Member of the Port Authority Employment Relations Panel. She received a B.S. from Cornell University and a J.D. and LL.M. from New York University School of Law.