Answer to Question 1
The Court of Appeals held that the dispute was minor under the RLA requiring binding arbitration before the National Railroad Adjustment Board.
Answer to Question 2
Major disputes, for purposes of determining which of the RLA's procedures must be followed for resolving disputes, are defined as disputes over the formation of collective agreements and arise where there is no collective bargaining agreement or where it is sought to change the terms of one.
When a major dispute exists, the parties must engage in a lengthy process of bargaining and mediation set out in RLA. During the bargaining and mediation process, the parties must maintain the status quo, and the employer is prohibited from implementing any changes.