III

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 117

Congratulating the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on the occasion

of its fiftieth anniversary and commending the many men and women

of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service who have served the

Nation’s labor-management community and the American people.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

SEPTEMBER 2, 1997

Mr. JEFFORDS (for himself, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. DEWINE, and Mr.

WELLSTONE) submitted the following resolution; which was considered

and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Congratulating the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary and commending the many men and women of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service who have served the Nation’s labor-management community and the American

people.

Whereas the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (referred to in this resolution as the ‘‘FMCS’’) was created

as an independent agency of the United States by the

Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947;

Whereas for 50 years, the FMCS has been instrumental in

promoting the United States policy that ‘‘sound and stable industrial peace and the advancement of the general
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•SRES 117 ATS

welfare, health, and safety of the Nation and of the best

interest of employers and employees can most satisfactorily be secured through the settlement of issues between

employers and employees through the processes of collective bargaining between employers and representatives of

their employees’’;

Whereas the FMCS has provided mediation services to labor

and management by assisting them to settle disputes and

reach agreement in collective bargaining negotiations,

thereby helping to prevent or minimize work stoppages

that disrupt the free flow of commerce and to promote

sound and stable labor-management relations;

Whereas the FMCS has provided arbitration services by administering a roster of qualified, private arbitrators to resolve disputes arising under collective bargaining agreements, thereby minimizing disruptions to commerce and

preserving labor-management peace;

Whereas the FMCS has encouraged joint initiatives designed

to assist employers and the representatives of their employees explore better ways to manage differences and to

work together for mutual benefit and has awarded grants

to promote labor-management cooperation and to encourage innovative workplace practices, thereby improving

economic performance and enhancing economic development, employment security, and organizational effectiveness;

Whereas the FMCS has provided dispute resolution services

to government agencies as an alternative to costly litigation or formal rulemaking, thereby enabling less adversarial and more participative approaches to governing;
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•SRES 117 ATS

Whereas the FMCS has helped management, labor, and government leaders from many nations throughout the world

to establish sound industrial relations and conflict resolution systems and practices, thereby promoting sound economic development and democratic principles; and

Whereas the FMCS has developed the art, science, and practice of conflict resolution as a means to improve the lives

of the working men and women of this Nation and the

relationships between labor and management and between others in our society, to sustain democratic institutions, and to strengthen the American economy, thereby

making an important contribution to our Nation: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

2 (1) commends the Federal Mediation and Con3 ciliation Service for 50 years of dedicated and im4 portant service to the Nation; and

5 (2) congratulates the FMCS as it commemo6 rates its fiftieth anniversary.

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