Previously, Mr. DuBester served as a Mediator at the National Mediation Board from 2005 to 2009.

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From 1993 to 2001, Mr. DuBester was a Member of the National Mediation Board, serving as Chairman multiple times.

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Under labor law, a series of steps involving efforts at negotiating are required before the National Mediation Board would release a union to strike.

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In the final week of talks, which included several all-night sessions, the flight attendants and the airline talks were guided by the National Mediation Board.

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Sketching out a timetable, Wilson said the National Mediation Board would rule on an application for single carrier status: each work group would select union representatives.

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The National Mediation Board declared an impasse November 21.

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