President Obama has announced that he plans to nominate Thomas M. Beck (R) to be a member of the National Mediation Board (NMB). The NMB is an independent federal agency tasked with facilitating labor-management relations in the airline and railroad industries. Specifically, the NMB manages the dispute resolution process involving collective bargaining disputes in this transportation sector. If confirmed, Beck is expected to replace fellow Republican Elizabeth Dougherty, whose term expired on June 30. Also serving on the three-member NMB is Chairman Harry Hoglander (D) and Member Linda Puchala (D).

According to the White House’s press release, Beck has served as a member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) since October 16, 2008, and is a past chairman. Prior to the FLRA, Beck worked in a private law practice, and has taught law courses at the George Mason University School of Law. Beck earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia.

The NMB recently came under fire for issuing a final rule (pdf) that changed its long-established representation election procedure. The new rule bases union election voting outcomes on the majority of employees in the rail and air transportation industries who actually vote, instead of counting those who do not vote as “no” votes, as has been the practice for the past 75 years. Despite challenges to this rule, a federal judge in June ordered the election change to proceed as planned, although the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) has filed a notice of appeal.