The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions voted October 1 to advance the nomination of Capt. Doug Ralph to the National Mediation Board, moving him one step closer to a confirmed seat on the three-member body that governs airline and rail labor relations.
Ralph is a line pilot and former union-elected representative on the Delta Air Lines Board of Directors. ALPA president Capt. Jason Ambrosi backed the nomination, citing Ralph's background on both sides of the table as fitting for a period when major contract negotiations are active across the industry.
The NMB holds exclusive jurisdiction over union organizing and collective bargaining rights for private-sector airline and rail workers. A vacancy on the board limits its capacity to mediate disputes and certify representation — functions that directly affect how quickly contract negotiations move and whether labor actions can proceed.
ALPA is calling on the full Senate to confirm Ralph without delay. The nomination now goes to the Senate floor for a full vote.
