The action came after the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen unanimously voted July 8 to go out on strike unless the president formed the board, which has 30 days to recommend ways to resolve the impasse.
"The transit rail system is vital to our nation's economy, and it's crucial that we ensure it runs smoothly," Obama said in a statement. "That's why I'm grateful these talented individuals have agreed to serve the American people by helping to swiftly and appropriately resolve these labor-management disputes."
Establishing the board creates two 120-day cooling-off period when unions can't strike and the transit agency can't lock out its workers.
