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News ArchiveD2016-11-01T17:33:16-04:00

## News Archive

## FMCS Unveils 12-Part Video Series Showcasing Its Mission and Services in a Brand-New Way

**WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 28, 2024) –**The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is proud to announce the launch of its newest educational initiative: the “FMCS 101” video series. Designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the Agency’s mission, services, and history, the series aims to become an invaluable public resource, aiding those who seek a deeper understanding of the role FMCS plays in labor relations.

Established in 1947, FMCS serves as a vital resource for parties involved in labor disputes, providing mediation, training, and other conflict resolution services.  The Agency has been at the forefront of promoting labor-management harmony and a cornerstone of peaceful conflict resolution and dispute management in the United States for more than seven decades.

As an independent agency of the federal government, FMCS is dedicated to facilitating productive dialogue, negotiation, and collaborative solutions between labor and management, thereby averting work stoppages such as strikes and lockouts, minimizing disruptions to commerce, and preserving economic stability.

The 12-part FMCS 101 video series comprise a collection of engaging standalone episodes, each focusing on different aspects of the Agency’s operations, role, and impact. From its foundational principles to its contemporary initiatives, the series offers viewers an easy-to-digest explanation of FMCS’ mission and functions, including interviews with federal mediators, all in just a few minutes per episode.

“We are excited to launch the FMCS 101 video series as part of our ongoing efforts to promote public education and understanding about our Agency,” said FMCS Deputy Director for Field Operations, Javier Ramirez. “These videos serve as a gateway for those seeking to gain knowledge about FMCS operations and our contributions to labor relations and fostering workplace stability in the United States.”

The release of this video series comes at a time when labor relations are increasingly complex, underscoring the need for accessible resources to support constructive dialogue and negotiation. By leveraging the power of digital media, FMCS aims to reach a broader audience, including labor unions, employers, government officials, students, and the public.

The series covers topics such as the role of mediation and conciliation in resolving labor disputes, the history of FMCS and its landmark achievements, the training and expertise of FMCS mediators, and the Agency’s innovative approaches to conflict resolution in the modern era. Through interviews, narration, informative graphics, and other visual content, the videos provide an accessible and engaging platform for learning about FMCS.

“Whether you are a union representative, an employer, a government official, or a member of the public interested in labor relations, the FMCS 101 video series offers something for everyone,” said Ramirez.

The FMCS 101 series episodes are as follows, and can be viewed in any order:
                            - FMCS History and Mission
                            - How Does Mediation Work?
                            - What Services Does FMCS Provide a New Bargaining Unit?
                            - Preparing For Mediation
                            - What Is Collective Bargaining Mediation?
                            - Alternative Bargaining
                            - Public Policy and Negotiated Rulemaking
                            - Building Stronger, More Functional, Labor-Management Relationships
                            - Arbitration
                            - FMCS Training and Conferences
                            - Employment Mediation
                            - FMCS Mediators

The FMCS 101 video series is available for streaming on the FMCS website and YouTube.

## FMCS Statement on Latest Columbia River Basin Agreement

**WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 14, 2023) –**The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) was again privileged to lead mediation efforts between the US Government (USG) and parties involved in a long-running Federal lawsuit over the operation of the Columbia River Power System.

The National Wildlife Federation, the State of Oregon, the State of Washington, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Nez Perce Tribe have agreed with the USG on a series of commitments and actions which will keep the conflict out of the court room and move toward habitat restoration and repairs in order to restore salmon and other fish species populations to the Columbia River Basin.

The continued efforts of all the parties in these complex and long-running negotiations are to be commended, and FMCS congratulates them on their progress and the resolving of these intricate and multi-faceted issues.

## FMCS Launches Its First-Ever Podcast on Conflict Resolution

**WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 15, 2023) –**The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) launched its first podcast today, giving government employees, labor-management relations industry professionals, and others an inside look at difficult conversations in the realm of conflict resolution and how FMCS and its partners promote dialogue, engagement, and awareness around conflict in the workplace.

*Conflict “Resolutionary”* features in-depth interviews with conflict resolution leaders and experts in areas such as coaching and mindfulness, DEIA, and academia, as well as with other authorities who can give listeners fresh perspectives on ways to approach conflict and relationships.

“Through this podcast we’re magnifying timely and important discussions about how we and our partners are working to builder better, more effective workplace relationships,” says FMCS Chief Operating Officer Performing the Duties of the Director, Greg Goldstein. “Every day, we’re providing value to taxpayers by mitigating the damage from inevitable conflict through preventive dialogue, honest communication, and responsive strategies. Whether you’re a practitioner, employee or other, we invite you to join our listener community.”

In the first episode, FMCS hosts Cynthia Pyle-Manley and Moira Caruso, along with contributor Tom Melançon, delve into the discussion of key aspects of constructive conflict. They explore strategies to enhance our perspective on conflict and prepare for it more effectively.

Topics covered in future episodes will include:
                            - What is Healthy Conflict?
                            - Workplace Stress and Burnout
                            - De-weaponizing Conflict
                            - Storytelling
                            - and more...

The series name *Conflict “Resolutionary,”* an amalgamation of the words “Resolution” and “Revolutionary,” is a nod to FMCS’ mission to prevent and resolve inevitable conflict as well as highlighting the Agency’s efforts to spark new ideas and transform the labor-management sphere one conversation at a time.

Learn more about *Conflict “Resolutionary”* at https://www.fmcs.gov/resources/multi-media/crpodcast/learn-about-the-podcast/ and stream the podcast now at https://www.fmcs.gov/resources/multi-media/crpodcast/###

## FMCS Arbitration Request Fees Increasing Oct. 1

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 26, 2023) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) will be increasing fees for the Agency’s arbitration services effective Oct. 1, following a review of the current fee schedule.

The decision was made due to many factors, including the rising expenses of technology and the administrative costs of running the program.

The FMCS arbitration program involves providing panels of vetted, private, neutral arbitrators experienced in labor relations issues to parties upon request. Private arbitration, different from federal mediation, utilizes an arbitrator to make a final and binding decision on the outcome of negotiations between parties.  Whereas federal mediators neither dictate outcomes nor make decisions; rather, they help parties examine underlying issues and interests and guide them through processes toward resolution.

Arbitration is part of the full range of high-quality labor relations services for which FMCS has been known since its establishment in 1947.

A summary of the new fees are as follows:
                            - Request for a Panel of arbitrators processed online: $100
                            - Request for a Panel of arbitrators (up to 13) processed manually by FMCS staff: $175
                            - Request for List of arbitrators (up to 13) processed manually by FMCS staff: $175

There remains no charge for the labor mediation and relationship development services offered by the Agency through its commissioned mediator employees and funded by the U.S. Congress.

Further details are available in the August notice in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/02/2023-16431/notice-of-fee-increase-for-arbitration-services

## DOI: Biden-Harris Administration, Tribes Reach Historic Agreement Supporting Efforts

## to Restore Healthy and Abundant Salmon Populations to Upper Columbia River Basin

*Department of the Interior Press Release**Thursday, September 21, 2023Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov*

*Support for salmon reintroduction efforts in the Upper Columbia River Basin underscores Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to upholding obligations to Tribal Nations*

**WASHINGTON** — The Biden-Harris administration today announced a historic agreement to support Tribally led efforts to restore healthy and abundant salmon populations in the Upper Columbia River Basin. The agreement between the United States, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians will fund efforts to test the feasibility of, and ultimately to reintroduce salmon in blocked habitats in the Upper Basin. Today’s agreement includes $200 million over 20 years from the Bonneville Power Administration, a federal power marketing administration under the Department of Energy, to advance the Tribally led implementation plan. The Department of the Interior also announced it is providing $8 million over two years through the Bureau of Reclamation to support these efforts.

The Upper Columbia River Basin historically supported abundant wild salmon, steelhead, and native resident fish, which critically supported thriving Tribal cultures and communities. Since time immemorial, members of these Tribes and their ancestors stewarded these native species and relied upon their abundance as the staples of their daily diets and ceremony. Today’s agreement was announced at a ceremonial signing at the Department of the Interior with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Tribes, agency leaders, and other senior Biden-Harris administration officials.

“Since time immemorial, Tribes along the Columbia River System have relied on Pacific salmon, steelhead, and other native fish species for sustenance and their cultural and spiritual ways of life. Today’s historic agreement is integral to helping restore healthy and abundant fish populations to these communities,” said **Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland**. “As we work toward comprehensive and collaborative basin-wide solutions to restoring salmon and other native fish populations, the Biden-Harris administration will continue its efforts to honor federal commitments to Tribal Nations, deliver affordable and reliable clean power, and meet the many resilience needs of stakeholders across the region.”

“The Columbia River and its tributaries are the life spring of the Pacific Northwest, stewarded since time immemorial by Tribal Nations,” said **White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory.** “Today’s historic announcement builds on the Biden-Harris Administration values of honoring long-standing commitments to Tribal Nations. This agreement is a crucial step in delivering sustainable long-term solutions to restore abundant fish runs in the Columbia River Basin while also acknowledging and accounting for the many services the Upper River system provides today: flood risk, energy, and water supply.”

The construction of large hydroelectric and flood control dams – including the Grand Coulee Dam and Chief Joseph Dam – throughout the Upper Columbia River Basin beginning at the turn of the 20th century blocked anadromous fish from migrating into the Upper Columbia River Basin and onto or through the ceded and reserved lands of the Colville, Spokane and Coeur d’Alene Tribes. As a result, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, and Spokane Tribe of Indians lost access to anadromous fish in their communities. This profound loss has had traumatic impacts on Tribal communities, including by altering traditional diets, depriving Tribal members of the ability to exercise traditional ways of life, and fundamentally changing how Tribal members teach and raise children in the cultural and spiritual beliefs that center around these fish.

For over a decade, the Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT) – which includes the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, and Kootenai Tribe of Idaho – have worked to develop a scientifically rigorous phased plan to study the feasibility of, and then ultimately implement, a reintroduction program into the blocked areas. The four-part phased effort is currently in the Phase 2 Implementation Plan (P2IP) stage, which involves scientifically based research over the next 20 years to establish sources of donor and brood stocks for reintroduction, test key biological assumptions, guide management actions, develop interim hatchery and passage facilities, and evaluate success.

“In 1940, Tribes from around the Northwest gathered at Kettle Falls for a Ceremony of Tears to mourn the loss of salmon at their ancestral fishing grounds. Today the federal government is taking a major step toward righting that historic wrong by committing to support the Tribally led, science-driven reintroduction of salmon above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams,” said **Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson.** “Together as partners, we will bring salmon back where they belong – to the waters of the Upper Columbia. The Colville Tribes looks forward to our children celebrating a Ceremony of Joy when salmon are permanently restored to their ancestral waters.”

“Grand Coulee Dam moved the floods from Portland and Vancouver to my Tribe’s Reservation and stole the once abundant salmon that fed the Spokane People that lived and thrived where the Spokane and Columbia River meet,” said **Greg Abrahamson, Chairman of the Spokane Tribal Business Council, Spokane Tribe of Indians.** “Grand Coulee Dam allowed the desert to bloom and many far away cities to enjoy cheap electricity at my people’s expense. The Tribe never lost hope that one day the salmon would return to the Tribe’s waters, and this Agreement will turn that hope into a reality with salmon in the Spokane’s waters. The Spokane Tribe believes when the salmon return home, we will begin to heal. This will bring healing to both the salmon and the people which is why we do this work.”

“The Biden Administration deserves a lot of credit for their leadership to help make this happen,” said **Coeur d’Alene Tribe Chairman Chief Allan.** “Connecting the hearts of our Tribes with the full commitment of the federal agencies was what was able to get us moving in the right direction. Our leaders and elders have always been a champion for the return of salmon into the blocked area of the Upper Columbia River. This agreement is a huge step toward reintroduction and has been the only significant step in that direction since the salmon have been blocked.”

“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has been a leader in advocating for salmon reintroduction and continued that leadership throughout the challenging negotiations that preceded the agreement,” said **Coeur d’Alene Tribe Vice Chairman Hemene James,**who represented the Tribe at today’s ceremonial signing. “We would not be here today without the leadership of the Chairman and Tribal Council or the unwavering commitment of Tribal Natural Resources staff.”

Today’s agreement between the Tribes and the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Commerce’s National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Energy’s Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) includes $200 million over 20 years from the BPA to advance the Phase 2 Implementation Plan. The other agencies also agree to use their authorities to seek additional funding for this effort and to take other actions necessary to advance implementation. The Tribes have agreed to a twenty year pause to existing litigation while these actions are pursued.

As part of today’s agreement, the Bureau of Reclamation is announcing a $6 million investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Upper Columbia Tribes and UCUT for these efforts. This funding from the new WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program will help support the Tribes’ Phase 2 study needs, including juvenile salmon outmigration studies, genetic sampling, and development of fish passage designs.

“The Bureau of Reclamation is proud to partner with the Upper Columbia Tribes as we seek collaborative and science-based solutions to reintroducing salmon across the Upper Columbia River Basin,” said **Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton**. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we are deploying historic resources to support projects that restore or protect aquatic ecosystems, including those that will help return healthy and abundant populations of salmon to these Tribes’ waters.”

“This landmark agreement demonstrates the positive outcome that can occur when Tribes, state and federal agencies consult and collaborate from a position of mutual respect and with a shared goal of a result that is equitable for all,” said **Department of Energy Under Secretary for Infrastructure David Crane.** “In this case, the United States Government and its tribal partners worked to restore a lost piece of Tribal heritage while enhancing reliable power generation and transmission in the region, benefitting all. I am proud of the work done by our team at Bonneville and grateful to the Tribes for their constructive approach to solving this issue.”

“Today’s announcement represents a historic step forward for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe; for the salmon that are central to the Tribes’ culture; and for preserving power generation and transmission reliability in the region,” said **Bonneville Power Administration Administrator and CEO John Hairston.**“This landmark agreement furthers work already begun by the Upper Columbia United Tribes and advances the goal of returning fish to areas they haven’t been able to access for decades. Reintroducing salmon upstream of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams via a focused, collaborative and science-driven approach is the centerpiece of this agreement. By investing electric ratepayer dollars in meaningful actions for fish rather than costly litigation, the agreement also secures the vital role of the Columbia River System for Northwest citizens and public power customers.”

“The Army is excited to announce this partnership with Tribes in the Upper Columbia River Basin to collaborate and support their significant efforts in planning and studying reintroduction of salmon to the region,” said**Jaime Pinkham, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.**“We are proud to support activities that will help us learn more about actions that can be taken to restore the crucial ecosystems and fish populations in the Columbia River Basin.”

“Today’s agreement marks a critical step towards rebuilding healthy and abundant fish and fisheries in the Columbia River,” said **NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.** “I applaud the collective Tribal, federal, state, and stakeholder efforts that got us to today, especially the Upper Columbia River Tribes, who have remained patient yet persistent to get these fish back to where they belong. The reintroduction of these salmon above Grand Coulee Dam doesn’t just reconnect pieces of the Columbia Basin ecosystem, it rekindles a relationship between salmon and people that has existed since time immemorial. NOAA is proud to be part of it.”

“On behalf of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), I would like to congratulate and commend all of the parties who worked so tirelessly to reach this historic agreement,” said **Javier Ramirez, FMCS’ Deputy Director for Field Operations.** “We were privileged to have our mediators assist in what were extraordinarily complex negotiations to promote efforts to restore salmon and other fish species to the Upper Columbia River Basin. Today’s signing is a truly momentous occasion and it is testament to the commitment of the U.S. Government, the Tribes and the Bonneville Power Administration to finding a mutually agreeable resolution and path forward.”

If Phase 2 Implementation Plan studies confirm the feasibility of reintroducing anadromous salmonids in the blocked areas, Phase 2 is anticipated to lead to Phase 3, including the construction of permanent juvenile and adult passage and supporting propagation facilities, as well as implementation of priority habitat improvements, consistent with the phased approach to reintroducing anadromous salmonids above Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph Dams. Phase 1 included(link is external) pre-assessment planning for reintroduction and fish passage that the UCUT wrote in a May 2019 report.

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-tribes-reach-historic-agreement-supporting-efforts-restore 

## FMCS Congratulates Parties in Resolving Gulf Coast Rail Dispute

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 25, 2022) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) congratulates Amtrak, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern and the Port of Mobile (Ala.) on their Nov. 22 agreement, ending more than six years of challenging negotiations.

The parties began mediation with FMCS in June after the dispute was brought before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in 2021. The agreement brings the Gulf Coast one step closer to the restoration and expansion of passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile almost two decades after Hurricane Katrina caused a major disruption to the region’s rail infrastructure.

“FMCS extends our congratulations to each of the parties and their leadership for their steadfast determination in coming to an agreement,” FMCS Acting Director Greg Goldstein said. “FMCS is pleased we were able to assist in what has been considered by many to be a trying and contentious dispute.”

FMCS Commissioners Dave Moora and Brenda Pryor, along with Ron Molteni and Bob Granatelli from the STB, were appointed to mediate the case and helped lead the parties to a resolution just eight days prior to a scheduled final Nov. 30 hearing before the STB.

“It was evident that Amtrak, the host railroads, and the Port of Mobile were committed to their engagement in the process and showed good-faith throughout our work with them,” said Moora.  “It’s really an incredible feeling any time an agreement can be reached, and especially one with such a considerable public benefit and impact on the economy.”

## FMCS Congratulates Department of Defense Education Activity and Overseas Federation of Teachers on Pivotal Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 26, 2022) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) welcomed representatives from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and the Overseas Federation of Teachers (OFT) to its Washington, DC headquarters yesterday to congratulate the parties on a pivotal tentative labor agreement.  It is the parties’ first successor contract agreement in 28 years.

Representatives from both DoDEA and OFT were in attendance and were also joined online by others in their respective organizations, including American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten and DoDEA Director Thomas Brady. AFT is OFT’s parent organization.

“We would like to extend our congratulations to the parties on this momentous occasion,” FMCS Acting Director Greg Goldstein said. “Though FMCS cannot comment on the substance of their specific negotiations, FMCS was honored to assist the parties in coming to a resolution of their negotiations and successfully completing their collective bargaining agreement.”

The contract covering the Europe South school district represents the culmination of a long series of negotiations between the two parties.  The district includes 16 DoDEA schools in Bahrain, Italy, Spain, and Turkey, and educates over 5,600 students with nearly 600 teachers making up the OFT bargaining unit.

FMCS Commissioner Kevin Wagner was invited by the parties in 2020 to assist with developing ground rules which were adopted in mid-2021, and he was subsequently invited to help mediate the parties’ collective bargaining process, ultimately resulting in the mutually acceptable resolution they achieved yesterday.

“These parties faced difficult and divisive issues,” said Wagner. “Through their determination, commitment, professionalism, and dedication to the process, they were able to overcome significant challenges and obstacles to find their path to a contract.”

(Oct. 25, 2022) Representatives from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and Overseas Federation of Teachers (OFT) are congratulated on their recent tentative agreement by leaders from their organizations and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) at the FMCS headquarters in Washington, DC.

## Thousands Attend FMCS’s Free Conflict Resolution Week Webinar Series

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 24, 2022) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) welcomed almost 3,000 registrants for its week-long webinar series during National Conflict Resolution Week last week marking the Agency’s 75th anniversary as the nation’s premier public agency for dispute resolution and conflict management.

FMCS offered a range of twice-daily online presentations and workshops on a variety of topics including exploring the history of alternative dispute resolution and its future, workplace communication, cognitive bias in negotiations, technology in mediation, creating effective labor-management partnerships in small bargaining units, and other subjects of significance to practitioners and professionals dedicated to resolving conflict in the workplace and beyond.

“As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we are delighted to share many of the tools, insights, and lessons we’ve learned throughout our rich history with this audience of industrial relations practitioners from both management and labor, academics, and career neutrals,” said FMCS Deputy Director of Field Operations Javier Ramirez during his welcoming remarks to attendees during the opening session.

Although government-provided industrial relations mediation and conciliation services in the U.S. date back almost to the turn of the 20th century, the founding of FMCS by Congress in 1947 sets it apart as is an independent agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation.

During its 75-year history, FMCS has solidified its role as the premier non-partisan governmental organization for helping parties engaged in difficult situations improve their joint problem-solving abilities, get support to avoid work stoppages, create healthier workplaces and resolve major public policy issues.

The no-cost webinar series was just one of the many services FMCS provides that help prevent and resolve conflict.

In addition to full-spectrum mediation services, “[FMCS] maintains a list of accredited arbitrators for those who need to resolve problems in that type of forum. We also offer training and education to the public through the FMCS Institute, and you can head to our website anytime and see the schedule of course offerings there, both in-person and virtual,” said Ramirez.

To learn more about FMCS, visit www.fmcs.gov

For other FMCS services and training opportunities, please visit www.fmcs.gov/services/education-and-outreach/fmcs-institute/

## FMCS to Celebrate 75th Anniversary During Conflict Resolution Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 11, 2022) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is celebrating National Conflict Resolution Week this year along with its 75th anniversary as the nation’s premier public agency for dispute resolution and conflict management.

Conflict Resolution Week is a week-long celebration to be held Oct. 17-21 and centered around Conflict Resolution Day: a national event observed annually on the third Thursday of October. It is recognized this year on Oct 20.

FMCS is marking the occasion by offering a daily series of innovative, interactive, skills-based online workshops on cutting edge conflict management practice, including in-depth examination of what FMCS has learned over the past 75 years, and an exploration on where the next 75 years may take the Agency.

With headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices across the country, FMCS provides a wide variety of conflict prevention, management and resolution-oriented services for employers and unions across industries as well as in the private, public, and federal sectors.

FMCS is also recognized for its success facilitating and mediating complex public policy negotiations, including negotiated rulemaking processes and Native American-Federal Government negotiations, and for its robust global program, partnering with more than 60 countries to provide international consulting, training, and related services.

FMCS was created by Congress as a neutral and independent government agency upon enactment of the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act) and mandated to resolve industrial conflict and promote labor-management peace and cooperation, minimizing the impact of these disputes on the free flow of commerce. It is also authorized to offer a variety of other reimbursable services to federal agencies in numerous other areas of conflict prevention, management, and resolution.

“It is my pleasure and privilege to lead the Agency during this noteworthy diamond anniversary,” said FMCS Acting Director and Chief Operating Officer Gregory Goldstein. “It is an honor to be a part of this historic celebration and reflect on our proud track record of 75 years of effective dispute resolution and conflict management services.”

“Our Agency has come a long way over these seven-plus decades and our contribution to supporting labor, management, and the U.S. economy overall,” Goldstein continued. “From our collective bargaining services to our grievance mediations, our trainings, reimbursable work, our arbitration services and other initiatives, FMCS provides invaluable resources across the spectrum of the labor-relations landscape.”

To learn more about FMCS’ Conflict Resolution Week workshops or to register, please visit https://www.fmcs.gov/crw2022

For more on FMCS or to request services, visit www.fmcs.gov

## MSPB Announces PFR Mediation Pilot Program With FMCS

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 28, 2022) – Since the restoration of its quorum on March 4, 2022, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) has recommitted itself to issuing high-quality decisions on petitions for review (PFRs) as efficiently as possible. As part of this effort, on October 3, 2022, MSPB will launch a pilot program targeting particular categories of PFRs for rapid mediation. The program will be called the PFR Rapid Assessment Mediation Program (PFR RAMP) and will be offered in cases in which changed case law or other factors suggest a likely path for mediated resolution. PFR RAMP will be staffed by two full-time mediators, including an experienced mediator on detail to MSPB from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). MSPB’s long-standing PFR settlement program will continue to operate alongside the pilot program and will focus on cases in which a more prolonged settlement approach is favored.

Like MSPB’s other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs, PFR RAMP will be voluntary, confidential, and free to the parties. The program will be invitation-only, based on a determination by the assigned mediators that cases have rapid settlement potential under the factors listed above. Parties seeking ADR of their PFRs may contact the standard PFR settlement program at 1-800-209-8960. If, after such contact, MSPB’s mediators determine that a case has potential for rapid mediation, the parties may be contacted by PFR RAMP.

## SBA, DOL, NLRB, FMCS Join Forces in Historic Collaboration

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 7, 2022) – In continued celebration of Labor Day, today, the **U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)** in collaboration with the **U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)**, the **National Labor Relations Board (NLRB),**and the******U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)** released a first-of-its-kind digital toolkit for employers seeking guidance on responding to their employees who are interested in exercising their right to form or join a union.

***View the digital toolkit at******sba.gov/employee-organizing******.***

“Building strong teams and managing workforce issues are critical skillsets that small business owners must continually develop as they start and grow resilient businesses, and the SBA remains committed to supporting them with relevant content and trainings,” **said****SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman,****a member of the White House Task Force.** “The resources in this collaborative digital toolkit will help small businesses learn about, evaluate and manage the growing worker-driven and market-based trends in employee organizing.”

Executing the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of promoting and supporting unionization and collective bargaining through the president’s Executive Order Establishing the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment (Task Force), the digital toolkit highlights the mutual benefits to employers and workers of labor-management partnerships and collective bargaining, in addition to providing a slew of resources – through partner agencies – including information on navigating workplace issues, working together to protect worker organizing, establishing labor-management partnerships, respecting workers’ freedom to choose union representation, and addressing concerns of small businesses.

“SBA’s toolkit is an invaluable resource for employers looking for information and guidance on unions and the value of collective bargaining,” **said Secretary Marty Walsh****, who serves as vice chair of the White House Task Force**. “Worker interest in forming unions is higher than we’ve seen in decades, and this resource will be an important tool in helping employers respond positively to worker organizing campaigns.”

Established on April 26, 2021, by an Executive Order signed by President Biden, the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment – chaired by Vice President Harris and vice-chaired by Labor Secretary Walsh – directs the coordination and mobilization of over 20 federal agencies, to implement policies, programs, and practices to empower workers to organize and successfully bargain with their employers. Following up on that stated commitment, the Task Force published a report with over 70 recommendations in February 2022 that aims to improve relations between and outcomes for both American workers and small businesses.

“Small businesses are a crucial component of the American economy, and they employ millions of workers,” **said****NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo****.** “This toolkit provides key resources that small business owners can use to ensure their employees can freely and fairly exercise their labor rights and create the effective labor-management partnerships that benefit workers, small businesses, and communities alike.”

“FMCS is thrilled to collaborate with our fellow agencies on the toolkit. It is a fantastic opportunity to bring awareness to both labor and management that FMCS is ready, willing, and able to assist in creating effective labor-management partnerships,”**said****FMCS Acting Director Gregory Goldstein****.**“FMCS has been effective throughout our 75-year history in preventing, managing, and resolving workplace conflict related to collective bargaining. And all at no cost to the parties.”

Developed through collaboration across federal agencies, the toolkit also builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s pro-union legacy, coming on the heels of the passing of the pro-worker and pro-small business Inflation Reduction Act, which will lower costs for American families, create a more equitable economy, and introduce new opportunities for small businesses and manufacturers, who create nearly two-thirds of net new private sector jobs.

With sixteen million workers in the United States that are union members or in a job that provides them union representation, of which more than six in ten of those workers are women and/or people of color, unions are also a powerful force in narrowing the pay gap for women and workers of color.

For additional information on the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, visit dol.gov/general/labortaskforce.

###

**About the U.S. Small Business Administration**

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

**About the Department of Labor**

The mission of the U.S. Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights. To learn more, visit www.dol.gov.

**About the National Labor Relations Board**

Established in 1935, the National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that protects employees from unfair labor practices and protects the right of private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions. The NLRB conducts hundreds of workplace elections and investigates thousands of unfair labor practice charges each year. To learn more, visit nlrb.gov.

**About the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service**

The U.S. Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service is the nation’s premier public agency for dispute resolution and conflict management. FMCS was created by Congress as a neutral and independent government agency upon enactment of the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act) and mandated to resolve industrial conflict and promote labor-management peace and cooperation, minimizing the impact of these disputes on the free flow of commerce. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and offices across the country, the agency has a proud track record of decades of effective dispute resolution and conflict management services for employers and unions across industries and work activities in the private, public, and federal sectors. FMCS is also recognized for its success facilitating negotiated rulemaking processes and for its robust employment mediation program in the federal sector as well as its global program, partnering with more than 60 countries to provide international consulting and training. For more on FMCS or to request services, visit www.fmcs.gov.

## Labor and Management Industry, Sports, and Government Leaders Make National Conference a Virtual All-Star Event

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 14, 2022) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) National Labor-Management Conference (NLMC), held virtually on July 12-13, once again demonstrated why it is considered the nation’s premier labor-management event.

The NLMC is the largest labor-management conference in the country; this year, the more than 1,200 registered participants included leaders in business, labor, government, academia, mediation, arbitration, and, with this year’s event, professional sports as well.

The conference opened with a welcome from FMCS Acting Director Gregory Goldstein and Deputy Director of Field Operations (and President Joseph Biden’s nominee to lead the agency) Javier Ramirez, followed by a special pre-recorded message from President Biden.

National Labor-Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo presented during the NLMC’s opening plenary session on July 12, highlighting the importance of building positive relationships between employers and workers in the workplace. She also updated conference attendees on NLRB initiatives and took a variety of questions submitted by members of the audience using the conference’s Q&A function.

“Encouraging very productive labor-management relations...whether a union represents workers or not, is a crucial step towards promoting workplace and industrial stability,” said Abruzzo. “When workers’ voices are heard issues are addressed and workplace conflict diminishes. Then everybody wins – businesses, communities, workers – they will all flourish.”

The workplace issues faced by professional athletes drew a large crowd for the closing plenary on Day 1: “How Collective Bargaining Can Help Achieve Gender Equity in Professional Sports & Beyond,” which featured a panel discussion with National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) President Tori Huster, AFL-CIO Vice President and Executive Director of NWSLPA Meghann Burke, and attorney Deborah R. Willig, and was led by newly elected AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

FMCS also welcomed back Dr. Peter Coleman, Executive Director of Columbia University’s Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict and Complexity in the Earth. Professor Coleman’s well-attended plenary session, “The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization” took a deep dive into what many consider one of the most significant crises facing modern America – both in the workplace and beyond.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Future@Work: Reimagining the Workplace” with a focus on the twin impacts of pandemic and a challenging economy on industrial relations. The NLMC also focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) issues in the workplace, and featured a side-track on federal sector unionization during the Biden administration.  Other notable sessions addressed challenges facing private, public, and federal sectors workplaces, such as hiring, the “Great Resignation,” managing workplace conflict, utilization of dispute resolution processes, the effects of inflation on the U.S. workforce, and contemporary collective bargaining approaches.

In addition to the robust schedule of individual workshops and panel discussions, this year’s NLMC offered six complimentary preconference sessions as a benefit to early registrants. These popular sessions covered a wide range of topics including cognitive bias in conflict dynamics, managing the integration of new bargaining units, and combating worker burnout in overstressed workplaces.

“FMCS strives to ensure that the NLMC provides engaging, informative, content that is useful to conference participants from all sectors of labor relations nationwide,” said Ramirez.

“The NLMC also goes far beyond discussing best practices,” Ramirez continued. “Our goal is to investigate emerging trends in American industrial relations, learn and share stories of success, and receive hard-nosed strategic insights from our country’s leading experts.”

At the close of the two-day event, U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh offered his remarks to the plenary, “I want to thank everyone from labor, management, government, academics, and the mediation/arbitration community, who are part of this important conference. Thank you for coming together to expand your knowledge and strengthen your relationships.”

“Most of all, I want to say thank you [to FMCS]. The work you do is incredibly important to America’s workers, America’s businesses, and to our entire economy,” Secretary Walsh said.

The FMCS National Labor-Management Conference was founded in 1982 and is generally held biennially as a showcase of FMCS services and programs for existing and prospective management and labor clients; the event attracted hundreds of attendees from the labor relations community in its early years and eventually expanding into a multi-day conference (and series of pre-conference events) that draws upwards of 1,000 – 1,500 attendees.

Though the 2022 conference has just concluded, planning is already underway for FMCS to combine the NLMC with the Labor and Employment Relations Association’s (LERA) Annual Conference in New York in 2024. This co-sponsorship will not only bring efficiencies, but also allow for more collaboration between the various stakeholders in the labor-management community. To learn more about NLMC, or to receive updates for future conferences, visit https://www.fmcs.gov/nlmc-info/

## FMCS Offers No-Cost Card Check Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 26, 2022) **–**The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is now offering card check services at no charge in support of its mission to promote the development of sound and stable labor management relationships, and in response to Executive Order 14025 and the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment Report.

A card check is part of the voluntary recognition process. An employer agrees to voluntarily recognize a labor organization as the exclusive representative of employees for purposes of collective bargaining if a majority of employees in an appropriate unit indicate that they would like to be represented by that labor organization.

An agreed-upon neutral third-party determines whether most employees desire representation by the labor organization. As this process typically involves counting cards signed by employees, it is referred to as a card check. FMCS offers these services in person or through a secure online process.

FMCS provides these services when both parties agree on the appropriate bargaining unit and mutually request that FMCS conduct the voluntary card check.

For more information about FMCS card check services, FMCS has published an informational brochure. To request a card check, please visit www.fmcs.gov/services/building-labor-management-relationships/card-check-services/ or reach out to your local FMCS mediator or Field Office Manager.

FMCS is a neutral federal agency with more than 75 years of experience working with employers and unions. The agency offers a full range of conflict management, dispute resolution, and training services.

To learn more about FMCS and the Agency’s services, please visit www.fmcs.gov.

## FMCS Launches Lessons In Leadership Speaker Series

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Apr. 18, 2022) – On Wednesday, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) conducted the first of a new series of virtual speaking engagements called the Lessons in Leadership Speaker Series.

The Lessons in Leadership series brings outstanding leaders from various federal organizations to share insights on their leadership styles and career experiences, with a focus on professional development and the Senior Executive Service.

These quarterly sessions are being provided to FMCS employees as a professional development opportunity concentrating on mastering change and inspiring growth. With this series, FMCS seeks to motivate and inspire members of its staff who are interested in becoming more well-rounded in their federal careers.

Today’s first speaker was Col. (USMC, Retired) Sheryl E. Murray, Assistant Deputy Commandant (Retired), Manpower and Reserve Affairs Department. Col. Murray is a retired member of the Senior Executive Service with more than 34 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Bringing with her a wealth of leadership knowledge, Col. Murray shared myriad new ideas and new perspectives on leadership from her history of working in the miliary and the federal sector.

“Here’s a foot-stomper: find a mentor. You can have multiple, but find somebody,” said Murray, stressing the importance of mentorship as a part of growing as a leader.

“Find someone you can talk to about opportunities. It is critical to know there are people there to help them, to give them a nudge when needed, and to help them.”

The session concluded with a question-and-answer portion where employees were able to interact with Col. Murray and get a more detailed understanding of leadership questions or issues they have.

FMCS Acting Director Gregory Goldstein said he was “proud that the initial event was so well-attended.”

“I’m very happy our Agency was able to put together a program that was really able to benefit our employees and their career development. I’m looking forward to continuing this program and providing a more holistic professional training process for my colleagues at FMCS,” said Goldstein.

FMCS intends to continue the Lessons in Leadership Speaker Series each quarter with new speakers from different sectors across the broad spectrum of the workplace environment.

(Apr. 13, 2022) More than 80 employees from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) attend the first of a new virtual speaker series called Lessons In Leadership. The first guest was Col. (USMC, Retired) Sheryl E. Murray, Assistant Deputy Commandant (Retired), Manpower and Reserve Affairs Department (upper left).

## Pre-Conference Kicks Off Runup to FMCS 2022 Virtual NLMC

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 28, 2022) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) conducted the first of six virtual pre-conference workshop events today in the runup to the two-day National Labor-Management Conference (NLMC), July 12-13.

Pre-Conference events are 100% virtual webinars and are occurring each month until the main conference at no extra cost to NLMC registrants.

Today’s session, titled “Cognitive Bias and Conflict”, was attended by more than 100 registrants, and was led by FMCS Center for Conflict Resolution and Education staff Valerie Harragin and Krystil Smith. The workshop explored how unconscious bias about race, gender, class, age, and other human traits negatively impact the ability to solve problems and make decisions.

(Jan. 28, 2022) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Center for Conflict Resolution and Education staff Krystil Smith (top) and Valerie Harragin lead a virtual webinar titled “Cognitive Bias and Conflict” as part of the pre-conference runup to the FMCS 2022 Virtual National Labor-Management Conference.

Upcoming pre-conference workshops include “New Bargaining Units: Challenges for Both Sides,” “From Aristotle to Anchoring: Persuasion in Negotiations,” “Keys to Effective Advocacy in Labor Arbitration,” “Why Neuroscience Matters in Dealing with Conflict,” and “Combating Workplace Burnout.”

FMCS announced the opening of registration for July’s NLMC and the pre-conference events on Jan. 20. The NLMC is the nation’s premier labor-relations biennial event where hundreds of labor and management leaders, industrial relations practitioners, neutrals, advocates, and academics converge to learn, explore, and discuss how the health challenges and technology solutions of the day are transforming the way today’s workplaces operate.

 

The theme of the 2022 NLMC is “Future@Work: Reimagining the Workplace.” Registrants will learn how to overcome challenges, improve workplace efficiency, and increase worker retention, with briefings on the latest essential bargaining techniques and critical updates on the labor and employment landscape.  Participants will also gain valuable insights into new directions, technology, and trends in the changing world of work.

In 2020 FMCS announced that NLMC, originally scheduled in person in Chicago over three days, would be conducted entirely virtually as a two-day online conference due to protect the health and safety of attendees and FMCS staff from the risks posed by COVID-19.

The virtual NLMC in 2020 was one the largest labor-management conferences in the history of FMCS, with nearly 1500 registered attendees. That event, titled “Future@Work: The Collaborative Connected Workplace,” was an overwhelming success due to the array of timely, interesting keynote address and workshop programs and was efficiently managed in the virtual space by FMCS staff.

The 2020 virtual NLMC featured a wide array of experts, decision-makers and notable names in the world of industrial relations including keynote speakers AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, National Labor Relations Board Chairman John Ring and Sr. Vice President of Labor Relations for Albertson’s grocery chain Daniel Dosenbach to name a few.

Registration for the FMCS 2022 Virtual NLMC is only $75.  To register, click HERE. Information and complimentary registration included for the monthly pre-conference events can be found HERE.

 

 

## FMCS Co-Signs Partnership For Public Service’s Proclamation of Public Service Recognition Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 3, 2021) — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is pleased to join the Partnership for Public Service as one of 63 co-signatories to their proclamation of the 2021 Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW).

PSRW has been celebrated the first week of May for 36 years, with this year’s week running from May 2-8.  PRSW is designated by the President and Congress to honor the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local and tribal government employees and recognize their accomplishments as they work tirelessly on behalf of all Americans.

Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, said, “We are honored to have FMCS sign on to the Public Service Recognition week co-chair letter. The image of public employees is strengthened when citizens see us working in cooperation with each other and with the community.”

Stier’s comments were echoed by Gary Hattal, deputy director for FMCS, “Our Agency is grateful to the Partnership for Public Service for their outstanding and unrelenting support to public servants. Our employees, and those around the country serving the public, deserve our recognition for their unwavering devotion to our Nation and its people.”

“We are proud to stand arm-in-arm with the Partnership for Public Service in celebrating PSRW,” said Hattal.

The Partnership for Public Service 2021 Proclamation can be found here.

Partnership for Public Service has many resources available to the public to share in the recognition of public service. More information about Partnership for Public Service and their mission can be found on their website: https://ourpublicservice.org

## FMCS Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

This Monday, January 18th is an important day.

On the third Monday of each January we, as a nation, celebrate the life, wisdom, compassion, and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. King was truly a remarkable American patriot, whose life was tragically cut short in Memphis on April 4, 1968 by those attempting to silence his voice advocating for the freedom and rights of all Americans no matter their race, creed, or color.   His legacy carries forth to this day and is especially poignant this year as true patriots stand united against those who would drag us back to an era in which equal rights were denied to so many.

On the threshold of an inauguration, our country is embarking on a journey of healing after a long year of a devastating pandemic, and additional years of deep-seeded divisions that have recently culminated in riot and destruction by domestic terrorists and white supremacists in the halls of the Capitol.  Across the nation, many cities are looking to reform their police departments, and new collective bargaining negotiations between police unions and municipalities are occurring almost daily.  In many cases, FMCS mediators are working on multiple front lines, helping parties reach acceptable terms in their contracts.

However, as we all know, that is not enough.  Dispute resolution in collective bargaining, grievance mediations, and other complaints are just the tip of problems that are often long simmering and deeply rooted. They then manifest themselves in one of these dispute-handling avenues. But truly, these clashes often emanate from dreadful relationships that have been permitted to degrade over many years.  These may be work or personal relationships where those around us often do not feel included on a daily basis.  Rebuilding those relationships, and then managing those conflicts that are inevitable, is required to bring any durable success.  That starts with real listening, authentic caring, and putting aside petty differences in order to concentrate on the larger, more important tasks at hand.  FMCS is uniquely poised to offer those pathways and enable parties an opportunity to be their best selves by focusing on what can be sustained if we build upon a foundation of mutual trust, respect, and collaboration.  And, that requires transparency throughout society.

Dr. King  is famously remembered for calling upon us to care about the content of one’s character.  His shining example and dream is incredibly appropriate as we all struggle in this tumultuous year.  His call was to embrace and love our neighbors, to work for peace, and to do that work peacefully.  When we do our best work, we are working on behalf of others. Dr. King spoke eloquently of reconciliation and redemption.  He declared: “Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class and our nation.”  Finally, he spoke on the concept of the “Beloved Community.” Dr. King said: “The Beloved Community symbolizes peace time, a willingness to handle conflict with compassion and justice; a place of quiet refrain and joyous celebrations, a place to go to grieve the passing  of a life, but also a time when one doesn’t take a life either for revenge or as a method of retribution.”

This Monday, Jan. 18, will you give a little of yourself on behalf of someone else as you honor Dr. King, a genuine American Hero?  Whether it be one hour, or the entire day, find a way to help your neighbors and your community.  Do it for yourself, do it for your family, and your friends.  Do just one thing to demonstrate that you care.  Do it because that’s what being an American is.  Dr. King recognized that, and so should we.

Please stay safe so that you can stay healthy.

## FMCS Launches Electronic FOIA Processing System

*FOIAXpress allows users to electronically file, monitor and appeal FOIA requests.*

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 26, 2020) — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) launched the new FOIAXpress software today to process and track Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and appeals.

FOIA provides individuals the right to access federal government records.  While FMCS posts many agency documents as an information resource in the public online reading room, individuals can submit a FOIA request for other records that may be available. The FOIAXpress tracking and management software replaces the agency’s previous in-house FOIA tracking system.

As part of FMCS’s commitment to transparency, public participation, and accountability, FOIAXpress will speed up the processing of FOIA requests by allowing FMCS staff and FOIA requesters the ability to electronically exchange pertinent documents. FOIAXpress requesters will be able to monitor their requests and appeals online in real-time via the public access link (PAL).

For those unable to file FOIA requests electronically, the FMCS Office of General Counsel will also still receive FOIA requests via mail and fax.

FOIAxpress is available to requesters directly at https://palfmcs.efoia-host.com/ or via the FMCS website at https://www.fmcs.gov/foia/

## FMCS Virtual NLMC A Success and Lesson In Modern Flexibility

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 20, 2020)**–**The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) concluded their biennial National Labor-Management Conference (NLMC) yesterday as a 100-percent virtual event.

FMCS announced in May that the event, originally scheduled in person in Chicago over three days, would be conducted entirely as two-day online conference due to COVID-19 precautions to protect the health and safety of attendees and FMCS staff.

With almost 1500 registered attendees, the 2020 virtual NLMC, titled The Collaborative Connected Workplace, was one of the largest FMCS conferences ever and proved to be an overwhelming success in large part to the meticulous planning and flexibility of FMCS staff.

“Our team pulled out all the stops and worked tirelessly to make the best of an otherwise unfortunate situation,” said FMCS Division of Agency Initiatives Executive Manager and NLMC planning committee co-chair Javier Ramirez. “Transitioning from a live event to a first-time entirely virtual one was no easy task, but I’m proud of our ability to be flexible and create an event that brought the same great content NLMC is known for.”

The 2020 virtual NLMC featured a wide array of experts, decision-makers and notable names in the world of industrial labor relations including keynote speakers, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, U.S. Deputy Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella and Sr. Vice President of Labor Relations for Albertson’s grocery chain Daniel Dosenbach to name a few.

In addition to group plenary sessions, attendees registered for a variety of individual workshops and panel discussions that earned them Continuing Legal Education, Society for Human Resource Management, and Human Resources Certification Institute credits.

FMCS Commissioners Ligia Velazquez and Tom Melancon gave a fast-paced, interactive overview about defining and understanding our implicit biases. They concluded with practical takeaways on what we can do to counter the negative impact of our implicit biases while giving examples of their own experiences at the bargaining table, and in life, of unconscious bias at work.

Commissioner Joshua Flax, FMCS’ chief strategy officer, moderated a panel on federal sector labor relations consisting of FMCS Director Richard Giacolone, Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP) Chairman Mark Anthony Carter and Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) Chairman Colleen Duffy Kiko.

(Aug. 19, 2020) Counter-clockwise from upper right, FMCS Director Richard Giacolone, FSIP Chairman Mark Anthony Carter, FLRA Chairman Colleen Duffy Kiko, and FMCS Chief Strategy Officer Joshua Flax talk about federal sector labor relations in a panel discussion attended by more than 440 of the almost 1500 people attending a variety of panels and workshops at the FMCS 2020 Virtual National Labor Management Conference.

The panelists discussed topics that included telework, best practices for making arguments before the FSIP/FLRA and the impact of President Trump’s Executive Orders on labor relations in the federal sector.

Other presentations during NLMC included discussions of the regulation of the gig economy, ethics and honesty in collective bargaining, video arbitration, ingredients of collaborative innovation, and many more.

Director Giacolone praised the entire event, noting, “The human capacity for pragmatic innovation, combined with the persistent focus on achieving the objective at hand, has won the day. The inconceivable became conceivable, and, in the end, we were able to come together and have a wonderful intellectually stimulating, content-rich conference.”

Director Giacolone closed the event by commenting to attendees, “I hope you have been inspired by what you have heard in the last two days.  From AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, to National Labor Relations Board Chairman John Ring, to Artificial Intelligence expert Jay Richards, the Conference plenary sessions have been extraordinary.  The many Conference workshops have offered excellent insights into the difficult issues that you as labor and management wrestle with every day.”

While FMCS continues to explore and implement other virtual services and capabilities, they are confident that they are ready should there be a need or desire to conduct another major virtual conference.  In the meantime, the next NLMC is currently being planned for August 2-4, 2022 in Chicago, which will also be a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the creation of FMCS.

## Senate Confirms FMCS Director

WASHINGTON, DC (Aug. 14, 2020) **–** The United States Senate confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Richard Giacolone as Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) in a voice vote on Aug. 13.

Director Giacolone was appointed by President Trump to serve as the Acting Director of FMCS in June 2018 and received his original nomination in April 2019.

Director Giacolone began his mediation career at FMCS in the Chesapeake, Virginia field office in 1995. He was the former Director of the FMCS International/ADR Department and Special Assistant to the Director of FMCS. Prior to receiving his commission with FMCS, Director Giacolone was Labor Relations Advisor for the Department of the Navy and has an extensive background in labor relations representing management.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be confirmed by the Senate as FMCS’ director,” Giacolone said. “I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to lead this indispensable agency and am eager to carry on our mission in preventing and resolving workplace conflict during a time when labor and management issues are at such a critical point.”

In the two years he has led the Agency, Director Giacolone has reorganized the Agency structure and has implemented a variety of initiatives to modernize the Agency, better equipping it to handle current challenges and cases.  Under his leadership, FMCS has expanded its core work as it relates to services provided under congressional authorizations such as the Administrative Dispute Resolution Acts (ADRAs) of 1990 and 1996 and other statutes in which FMCS is named as the provider of third-party neutral services. Director Giacolone also leads the Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of great uncertainty, where he has greatly expanded the virtual capabilities of the Agency, leading to a seamless transition with no disruption in services to FMCS customers.

“One of my visions is to see FMCS work in a more robust and engaging way in the federal sector. For example, we signed an agreement last April with the EEOC to mediate formal complaints pending hearing at the Administrative Judge level.  At the request of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, we agreed to provide ADR services in connection with negotiability disputes,” Giacolone added. “We also signed an agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to mediate its EEO cases nationwide. As further examples, we have assumed the administration of the Shared Neutrals program in the National Capital area, relaunched ADR.gov website to assist federal agencies in developing and implementing ADR programs, and successfully assisted the US Dept. of Transportation and the 574 federally recognized Native American Tribes in their recent negotiated rulemaking process establishing tribal transportation self-governance. I am so proud of our Agency’s progress.”

During his quarter-century FMCS career, Director Giacolone mediated thousands of domestic labor and employment cases, comprising many cases of national significance, ranging from labor disputes involving multiple symphonies and orchestras, to bus and transportation disputes, and scores of cases involving shipbuilding and repair industries with national impact. Most recently, Director Giacolone helped to bring an end to a lengthy strike at Bath Iron Works in Maine. He has also mediated numerous significant collective bargaining agreements covering nationwide bargaining units in the federal sector. Director Giacolone led the Agency’s transition assistance mission during the transfer of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama, and his additional international work at FMCS includes both mediation and the development and delivery of dispute resolution programs in more than a dozen other countries.

Among his professional honors, Director Giacolone was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal for his contributions to the Department of Navy Labor and Employee Relations program, and the Society of Federal Labor and Employee Relations Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award. He was elected National President of the Society of Federal Labor and Employee Relations Professionals.

Director Giacolone holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Psychology and a Master of Public Administration degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. He has served on the faculty and regularly lectured at several universities on topics such as collective bargaining and arbitration.

## FMCS Statement on Labor Agreement Between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 10, 2020) **–**The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issued the following statement today on the tentative agreement in the labor negotiations between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6:

“This weekend, representatives from Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6 signed a tentative agreement which, following ratification, will end the shipyard worker strike in Bath, Maine. Though FMCS cannot comment on the substance of their specific negotiations, FMCS was honored to assist the parties in coming to a mutually acceptable resolution of their dispute.”

FMCS Deputy Director Richard Giacolone, who leads the Agency, mediated the dispute along with Commissioner Marty Callahan of the FMCS Boston field office.

“These parties faced difficult and deep-seeded issues that divided them,” said Giacolone. “Through their determination and commitment, negotiators were able to push through the process after a long week of marathon sessions and come to an agreement. I commend everyone involved for their professionalism, dedication and hard work during these challenging negotiations.”

Notable contributors to the process leading to the settlement were Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro, AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart and IAM International President Robert Martinez.

## FMCS Statement on Continued Labor Negotiations  Between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6 (AUG 7 UPDATE)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 7, 2020) **–**The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issued the following statement today on the labor negotiations between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6:

“Last night, representatives from Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6 reached five additional tentative agreements including three contract articles, one memorandum of agreement (MOA) dealing with schedule recovery and one appendix to the MOA as progress continues in their negotiations with FMCS assistance.

Though FMCS cannot comment on the substance or status of their specific negotiations, FMCS mediators are working with the parties to resolve the issues that divide them.  The parties have now agreed to a total of 11 contract articles including many of the key topics in this dispute.”

As is Agency practice, FMCS will not release information regarding meeting dates and locations for these negotiations.

## FMCS Statement on Continued Labor Negotiations  Between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6 (UPDATED)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 5, 2020) **–**The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issued the following statement today on the labor negotiations between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6:

“Today, representatives from Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6 agreed to three additional articles as progress continues in their negotiations with FMCS assistance.

Though FMCS cannot comment on the substance or status of their specific negotiations, FMCS mediators are working with the parties to resolve the issues that divide them.  The parties have agreed to a total of eight articles including many of the key topics in this dispute.”

As is Agency practice, FMCS will not release information regarding meeting dates and locations for these negotiations.

## FMCS Statement on Continued Labor Negotiations  Between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 5, 2020) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issued the following statement today on the labor negotiations between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6:

“Yesterday, representatives from Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6 agreed to three additional articles as progress continues in their negotiations with FMCS assistance. Though FMCS cannot comment on the substance or status of their specific negotiations, FMCS mediators are working with the parties to resolve the issues that divide them. The first two articles were agreed to on Aug. 3, bringing the total to five as talks continue.”

As is Agency practice, FMCS will not release information regarding meeting dates and locations for these negotiations.

## FMCS Statement on Labor Negotiations  Between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 4, 2020) – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issued the following statement today on the labor negotiations between Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6:

“Representatives from Bath Iron Works and International Association of Machinists Local S6 are meeting with FMCS assistance this week to continue their negotiations. Though FMCS cannot comment on the substance or status of their specific negotiations, FMCS mediators are working with these parties to resolve the issues that divide them. Two articles were agreed to by the parties yesterday as talks continue.”

As is Agency practice, FMCS will not release information regarding meeting dates and locations for these negotiations.

## FMCS Statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation Historic Rule Establishing Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) congratulates the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the 574 federally-recognized Native American Tribes represented in negotiating the final rule establishing the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP) at DOT.

According to the rule summary published by DOT in the Federal Registry, “The Program will afford Tribes participating in the Program greater control and decision-making authority over their use of certain DOT funding for which they are eligible recipients while reducing administrative burdens. These regulations include eligibility criteria, describe the contents of and process for negotiating self-governance compacts and funding agreements with the Department, and set forth the roles and responsibilities of and limitations on the Department and Tribes that participate in the Program.”

FMCS Chief Strategy Officer Joshua Flax and Strategic Coordinator Moira Caruso served as mediators and consultants for the TTSGP Negotiating Committee and its technical advisors from September 2018 through the publication of the rule on June 1, 2020.

“The dedication, commitment and perseverance exhibited by both Tribal and DOT representatives on the TTSGP Negotiating Committee was a shining example of Tribal-Federal cooperation in service of transportation infrastructure improvement across Indian Country,” said Flax. “Their skill as negotiators and as advocates created the foundation for a balanced, inclusive and patient negotiation process that yielded this successful result. It was a great honor and privilege for FMCS to work alongside them in service of this new program and the benefits it will offer to sovereign Tribal nations across the country.”

DOT issued a press release on the historic rule today.

## FMCS Statement on the Passing of Former Director Arthur Rosenfeld

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) was saddened to learn of the passing of former FMCS Director Arthur F. Rosenfeld on May 16. Arthur died peacefully at home surrounded by family.

Former FMCS Director Arthur Rosenfeld

A native of Allentown, Pa., Arthur’s “labor of love” was his “love of labor law,” where he established himself deeply in a variety of labor law roles. He earned his law degree from Villanova University School of Law in 1979 and was subsequently admitted to the District of Columbia Bar, and later became a member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and several other federal courts.  He began his career in Washington as a labor attorney with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1979 and from there practiced labor law in the Washington, D.C. office of Hansell & Post from 1984-1986.

Arthur served as the 16th FMCS Director from 2006-2009. He distinguished himself during his FMCS tenure by, among other things, helping to end a 52-day national strike by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers against the Boeing Company in 2008.  Most recently, Arthur served as the Director of the Office of Labor-Management Standards at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) since 2018.  His prior government service included serving as the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board from 2001-2006, serving as Senior Labor Counsel of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and worked at DOL in a number of capacities, including Counsel for Regulations in the Division of Employee Benefits, Special Assistant to the Solicitor of Labor, and Associate Deputy Secretary of Labor.

Arthur will be fondly remembered for his commitment to FMCS and his dedication in federal service to our Nation.  He will be missed, and those at FMCS extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

## FMCS Conducts Over A Million Online Meeting Minutes in 30 Days

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), reached a monumental milestone while exhibiting its flexibility during the COVID-19 heath crisis by conducting more than a million minutes of online meetings in 30 days using its primary virtual platform.

In a press release dated March 17, FMCS announced its virtual mediation capabilities in order to carry on its mission providing conflict management, dispute resolution, employment mediation and collective bargaining services following the White House memorandum requiring agencies to offer maximum telework flexibilities during the National Emergency.

The landmark one million minutes was conducted during more than 1,500 webinars and meetings involving almost 30,000 participants.

## FMCS Promotes Use of Video Arbitration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — To better align with the current needs necessitated by the ongoing National Emergency, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has launched a major effort aimed at promoting the successful use of video to conduct arbitration hearings for parties to labor-management disputes.

FMCS had previously been exploring ways to facilitate the use of video arbitration in appropriate cases, based on observations that interest in this format was increasing and amid mounting evidence of many potential advantages, including significant cost savings.

Recently, FMCS added a feature to its online arbitration request system allowing parties to request a panel consisting only of those who have self-certified as ready and able to conduct video arbitration. As of Monday, April 6, of FMCS’ roster of nearly 1,000 arbitrators, more than 150 are listed as video-capable with more being added by the day.

This feature was announced at a webinar FMCS hosted in collaboration with the National Academy of Arbitrators (NAA) on April 2 for more than 430 arbitrators on the use of videoconferencing for arbitration.

FMCS Director of Arbitration Arthur Pearlstein kicked off the webinar on behalf of FMCS Director-nominee Richard Giacolone and announced that the new request feature is now online, “FMCS is launching a campaign to raise awareness among parties of the possibilities and potential advantages of using video in arbitration.”

The webinar featured a panel from the NAA and its Videoconferencing Task Force for the benefit of arbitrators seeking to offer video arbitration services. NAA President Barry Winograd stressed the importance of “learning how we can provide service to deal with the massive disruption in labor-management affairs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and of putting a spotlight on how we can adjust our way of doing things.”

A recording of the webinar is available HERE.

FMCS is working with the NAA to help arbitrators form practice groups to share expertise and help each other discover new tips and techniques for video arbitration, while encouraging others to learn and practice so they can become proficient with videoconferencing tools.

While FMCS takes no position on whether video arbitration should be used in any given case, a number of labor arbitrators have previously reported the successful use of video to conduct entire hearings and/or to take testimony from one or more witnesses, and FMCS has seen a rise in interest among parties.

To assist in these efforts, the FMCS Office of Arbitration is preparing a “Video Arbitration Guide for Labor and Management Advocates,” making it widely available to parties. The guide will explore potential advantages and disadvantages of video arbitration, provide preparation tips, highlights certain technical issues and list some available video platforms and general features. In addition, the guide will provide links to some beneficial resources.

Adding video arbitration to their list of innovative flexibilities to conduct business, FMCS also announced on March 17 its virtual mediation capabilities.

For more information on FMCS’ Office of Arbitration, visit https://www.fmcs.gov/aboutus/agency-departments/arbitration-services-notice-processing/

For information about how to request a video arbitration panel, email the Office of Arbitration at arbitration@fmcs.gov or call 202-606-5111. To inquire about or discuss FMCS policy or the world of video arbitration, FMCS Director of Arbitration Arthur Pearlstein can be reached at the above number or by email at apearlstein@fmcs.gov

## FMCS Offers Virtual Online Mediation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), in furtherance of its statutory mandate and the White House memorandum dated March 15, 2020 requiring agencies to offer maximum telework flexibilities as they carry on their missions during this National Emergency, hereby announces the availability of online dispute resolution services.

FMCS is in the process of augmenting our current capacity to conduct online collective bargaining and employment mediation using cutting edge video teleconferencing technology that allows for fully private virtual meeting rooms for parties, with seamless transitions to virtual joint meeting rooms.

Both the video and audio features move with the parties as they engage in both joint sessions and private caucuses.  The service also allows for online sharing of documents and can be supplemented as needed with additional technology for idea generation and evaluation as part of comprehensive joint problem solving.

For more information please contact your local FMCS field office, listed here: https://www.fmcs.gov/aboutus/locations/offices/

 

 

## FMCS Statement on Tentative Agreement Between UNITE HERE Local 11 and Sodexo at Loyola Marymount University

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) today issued the following statement on a tentative agreement reached between representatives of UNITE HERE Local 11 and Sodexo, a subcontracted company that provides food service operations to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles:

“FMCS is extremely pleased to announce that after extensive negotiations and mediation provided by our local federal Commissioner, and with the steadfast dedication of the parties involved, representatives of UNITE HERE Local 11 and Sodexo have tentatively agreed to a new contract. Resolving their differences and finding acceptable remedies to the issues that divided them, the parties persevered and were ultimately successful in coming to an agreement. We wish them congratulations as they move forward in their relationship and work together.”

## FMCS Statement on Six-Year Agreement Between SSA and AFGE

WASHINGTON, DC – Following the announcement of a six-year agreement affecting more than 45,000 federal employees between the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) headquarters in Washington, DC on Sept. 27, FMCS Director Nominee Richard Giacolone praised the efforts of the parties and the mediator who assisted in the negotiations in the following statement:

“I am very happy to hear the parties were able to reach a fair and mutually beneficial agreement and proud that FMCS was able to assist the parties in reaching this contract. The dedication and commitment of everyone involved in these difficult negotiations were the reason a deal was achieved. This resolution is a testament to the power of good faith bargaining, where both sides are willing to come to the table, put aside their differences and get to work on a mutual agreement that addressed the interests of both sides.  I commend the leadership of SSA and AFGE for their commitment to resolving these difficult issues in the spirit of constructive engagement. As always, FMCS is ready and willing to assist in negotiations like these both as a mediating third party or as a host for a neutral location.”

## FMCS Commends the State of Alaska and the Inlandboatmen’s Union on Tentative Agreement

WASHINGTON, DC – Following the announcement of a tentative agreement on Aug. 1 in talks between the State of Alaska and the Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU), the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) commended the parties on their compromise which effectively ended a work stoppage that began on July 24.

Seattle-based FMCS Commissioner and Regional Director Beth Schindler mediated the talks between the parties and helped to facilitate their achievement in reaching a successor collective bargaining agreement.

“The parties worked around the clock in mediated negotiations over the last week to reach this settlement.  It’s my privilege to help both sides work through challenges resolving their disputes in order to come away with a new contract,” said Schindler. “At the end of the day, that’s why we do what we do, help manage conflict and get people talking.”

FMCS Director Nominee Richard Giacolone issued the following statement on today’s announcement: “We recognize and commend the hard work and perseverance of the State of Alaska and the IBU.  It’s laudable that the parties were willing to narrow their differences and reach a resolution that addressed the interests of both sides. Our goal at FMCS in negotiations like this is to help bridge the divide between labor and management, helping workers get back to their jobs and service to continue. We stand ready to help the parties with continued and improved labor-management relations as the best means for assuring future uninterrupted ferry service.”

## Fraud Alert: Transnational Fraud Ring Targets U.S. Government Procurement Offices and Vendors

In July 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) discovered that members of a transnational fraud ring based in Atlanta, Georgia, had impersonated a DHS procurement official to obtain computer equipment from private vendors. Further investigation into the ongoing fraud scheme revealed that the subjects were also stealing electronic equipment intended for other Federal agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, and Transportation; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the Railway Retirement Board. Some of the purchase orders identified were for hundreds of thousands of dollars each.

Full Press Release:  Fraud Alert: Transnational Fraud Ring Targets U.S. Government Procurement Offices and Vendors

## FMCS and FLRA Sign Memorandum of Understanding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (Authority) have announced a new commitment to work together to provide labor organizations and agencies with an opportunity to resolve negotiability appeals before they are considered by the Authority’s Members for a decision. Negotiability appeals arise when there is a dispute relating to whether an issue is outside the statutory duty to bargain.

WASHINGTON, DC (June 27, 2019) Representatives from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) look on as FMCS Director Nominee Richard Giacolone (left) and FLRA Chairman Colleen Duffy Kiko exchange signed copies of a Memorandum of Understanding for a new pilot procedure for resolving negotiability appeals. (FMCS Photo/Greg Raelson)

In a ceremony at FMCS headquarters on June 27, Authority Chairman Colleen Duffy Kiko and FMCS Director Nominee Richard Giacolone signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), creating a new pilot procedure for resolving negotiability appeals at no cost to the parties. Under its terms, FMCS will develop a unique cadre of mediators, who will receive specialized training from the Authority, to assist the parties in the resolution of negotiability appeals through mediation.

Under the pilot program, before a negotiability appeal is considered by the Authority’s Members for a decision, the Authority may refer such appeals to FMCS, either on the Authority’s own initiative or based upon a request from the parties. Upon referring a negotiability appeal to FMCS, the Authority will inform the parties that it is placing the case in abeyance and will defer further processing of the case.The negotiability appeal mediation procedure is expected to take between 30 and 60 days.

If the parties settle their entire dispute, FMCS will request that the parties notify the Authority in writing in order to enable the Authority to dismiss the negotiability appeal. If the parties do not settle their entire dispute, the Authority will resume processing of the negotiability appeal.

“I am excited about the opportunity to partner with FMCS and their outstanding team of mediators,” said Chairman Kiko. “The Authority is committed to fulfilling our statutory obligation to expedite negotiability appeals to the extent practicable and to resolving these matters as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to advance the process of collective bargaining. This pilot program with FMCS is a great first step, and we hope to continue our collaboration.”

Director Nominee Giacolone said, “It is our pleasure to use alternative dispute resolution to assist the Authority in the furtherance of productive federal sector labor-management relations. I am confident that our expert mediators will quickly make a real difference in resolving disputes among the parties appearing before the Authority. I look forward to FMCS expanding the work our Agency does on behalf of our federal agencies and dedicated public servants.”

WASHINGTON, DC (June 27, 2019) Representatives from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) gather for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a new pilot procedure for resolving negotiability appeals. (FMCS Photo/Greg Raelson)

 

## FMCS Commends New England Stop & Shop and UFCW on Ratification of Recent Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the evening hours of April 21, 2019, New England-based grocery store chain Stop & Shop and representatives from Locals 328, 371, 1445, 1459, and 919 of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) reached a tentative agreement (TA), effectively stopping an 11-day strike.

The five UFCW Locals, representing more than 31,000 employees, went on strike April 11 following the expiration of a three-year contract on Feb. 23.

Federal mediators Paul Chabot and Martin Callaghan from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) were requested by management and the unions to join the negotiations on April 3 following an impasse between the two parties.

FMCS Director Nominee Richard Giacolone commended the parties on their signing of the TA and the hard work of the FMCS mediators assigned to the case. “Bargaining sessions are no easy task for anyone involved, and I’m proud to see the tenacity and efforts by the parties and FMCS’ mediators pay off with a successful outcome. Being able to create a path for workers to get back on the job is great for management and labor, and certainly great for the customers eager to visit Stop & Shop for their grocery needs once again.”

The work stoppage was highly publicized in local and national media and gained a wide array of attention, including participation by celebrities and political figures.

With assistance by fellow FMCS Commissioners Barbara Owens and Dan Ross, Chabot and Callaghan were able to assist the parties in coming to the table and reaching a mutually-acceptable agreement.  The agreement reached by the parties concerned provisions on a variety of issues including health care and retirement benefits, wage increases, and overtime pay on Sunday for current members.

FMCS Regional Director Peter Donatello, whose area of responsibility includes New England said, “I am proud of our FMCS team in assisting the parties to reach an agreement.  Working with multiple contracts and multiple parties all at the same time and for sometimes up to 12-14 hours a day can bring a unique challenge to mediating any negotiations.”

“Part of our job as mediators is to be able to sort through and assist the parties to align their wants and needs and help better streamline the discussions. We were happy to be able to do just that and we commend the parties in their willingness to be open to each other’s points of view and work tirelessly for an agreement,” said Donatello.

Commissioner Martin Callaghan expressed his thoughts on the agreement, “From our neutral third-party perspective, it was evident the parties worked hard to achieve mutually acceptable solutions addressing their primary interests.”

Callaghan continued, “Any time there is a stalemate, it’s important that the parties keep talking, even if it is indirectly through the mediators. The parties themselves are then able build on that momentum until the deal is done.  I am extremely pleased and thankful to the parties for their tireless efforts in bringing this work stoppage to a peaceful resolution, and happy FMCS was invited to be a part of it.”

## FMCS and EEOC Sign Memorandum of Agreement: Shares Commitment To Actively Resolve Federal Workplace Disputes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) have officially committed to work together to resolve federal workplace disputes by utilizing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a means of efficiently reducing the backlog of federal sector charges, the EEOC and FMCS announced today.

WASHINGTON, DC (April 11, 2019) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Director Nominee Richard Giacolone (left) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Acting Chair Victoria A. Lipnic sign a Memorandum of Agreement pledging the agencies to work together to resolve federal workplace disputes. (FMCS Photo/Greg Raelson)

In a ceremony at the EEOC, the EEOC Acting Chair Victoria A. Lipnic and FMCS Director Nominee Richard Giacolone signed a national memorandum of agreement, creating a voluntary working relationship between the two agencies. Under its terms, FMCS will work with the EEOC to identify parties involved in federal sector complaints and provide the opportunity to resolve pending conflicts prior to a decision by an Administrative Judge (AJ).

The agreement establishes a voluntary contractual working relationship where the EEOC will identify federal sector cases in its inventory suitable for mediation by FMCS.  The parties to these cases will then work with the EEOC staff to get their cases before a FMCS mediator who will provide mediation services to the parties. The EEOC retains responsibility for the closure or continued processing of all cases. FMCS has tremendous talent and experience assisting parties in the resolution of disputes.  Moreover, FMCS mediators are located across the country, which allow them the flexibility to conduct mediations wherever there is a need.

Created in 1947, FMCS is a government agency that helps build better relationships through joint problem-solving and constructive responses to inevitable conflict. In turn, this improves the ability of organizations to create value for customers, shareholders and employees alike and substantially benefits the national economy. FMCS concentrates its efforts on assisting employers and employees in coping with the demands of a rapidly changing workplace.

WASHINGTON, DC (April 11, 2019) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Director Nominee Richard Giacolone (left) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Acting Chair Victoria A. Lipnic shake hands following their signing of a Memorandum of Agreement pledging the agencies to work together to resolve federal workplace disputes. (FMCS Photo/Greg Raelson)ng workplace.

“Charges of discrimination in our federal workplaces are no less important than the private sector” said EEOC Acting Chair Lipnic. “During the past two years we increased hiring for AJ’s and implemented strategies to increase efficiency in the hearings program. This resulted in a 30 percent increase in resolutions and for the first time, a decrease in the pending inventory of hearings. However, we still need to do more. Achieving and maintaining a balanced and manageable inventory is crucial to providing quality customer service to our primary stakeholder: the American workforce. This agreement with FMCS allows us to do just that.”

Richard Giacolone said, “It is our pleasure to partner with the EEOC and provide our federal mediators to assist in resolving federal workplace disputes before the involvement of an AJ.  Any time opposing parties can come together to make a mutually-agreeable decision is a positive development.  With our expert mediators at the ready, we are happy to assist the EEOC in providing the most efficient and effective service to workers across the federal sector.”

WASHINGTON, DC (April 11, 2019) Representatives from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) stand behind FMCS Director Nominee Richard Giacolone (front left) and EEOC Acting Chair Victoria A. Lipnic following their signing of a Memorandum of Agreement pledging the agencies to work together to resolve federal workplace disputes. (FMCS Photo/Greg Raelson)

## FMCS Statement on the Passing of Former Director Bernard E. DeLury

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) senior leadership issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Director Bernard “Bernie” E. DeLury on March 20, 2019:

“It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of a great leader and friend to FMCS, Bernard E. DeLury.  Bernie was our 12th director, nominated by President H.W. Bush and sworn in on April 27, 1990.  A former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor and New York State Labor Department official, Bernie began his career as a journeyman building tradesman. His corporate labor relations experience included Vice President of labor relations for the Sea Land Corporation. He served FMCS until 1993.  Bernie was an admired colleague and leader who led FMCS through many tough negotiations, perhaps most notably the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) and Greyhound strikes occurring just after his appointment.  Through the years, Bernie would often attend FMCS events and symposiums, offering mediators words of advice and encouragement from his experience and history with the agency. We will miss his presence dearly. With our deepest condolences to Bernie’s family and friends, we humbly wish them peace during this time.”

## FMCS Commissions New Mediator Class of 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) commissioned 18 new mediators March 19, 2019 in its Washington, DC headquarters as part of an annual ceremony and training program designed to prepare new mediators for their role as dispute resolution and conflict management experts, providing services to labor and management during contract negotiations, workplace disputes and other workplace issues.

The mediators arrived from across the country for the five-day program led by senior FMCS staff. A comprehensive and holistic training program, the new mediators will be introduced to a variety of professional topics including transitioning to a neutral, administrative procedures, mediator code of conduct and ethics, FMCS history, the National Labor Relations Act and alternative dispute resolution.

WASHINGTON, DC (March 19, 2019) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Deputy Director Richard Giacolone administers the oath of office to a group of new federal mediators from around the country at the FMCS headquarters. The mediators were at the headquarters to attend a five-day training program to prepare them for their role in helping to resolve labor-management conflicts, build better relationships, and create more effective organizations. (FMCS Photo/Heather Brown)

FMCS Deputy Director Richard Giacolone, himself having more than 23 years as an FMCS mediator, welcomed the new mediators and spoke about their joining the agency at a critical time of change.

“It’s exciting to see a group of folks who are coming into the agency as we evolve from a focus on mostly resolving labor-relations disputes to a workplace conflict management agency focusing on more than just the labor-relations side,” Giacolone said. “We are getting into some very new and exciting work on both the domestic and the international side and in very sophisticated areas like negotiated rulemaking. I’m very much looking forward to having our new mediators involved in these new projects.”

The mediator class of 2019, as all other mediator classes, is assigned a peer mentor whose role is to act as an administrative resource, a helpful sounding board, and to assist in facilitating their transition to commissioned federal mediators at FMCS.Ligia Velasquez, a veteran mediator from FMCS’ Seattle field office who is mentoring her first new class, said she is “excited to be a part of the development of an amazing and very talented group of people.” Velasquez continued, encouraging them to “ask questions and take advantage of all the resources available to them.”

Mediators from FMCS provide services to the federal, public and private sectors in building labor-management partnerships, managing conflict, and averting or mitigating the damaging effects of workplace disputes. During the week-long training FMCS helps the new mediators develop their expertise in building better relationships through joint problem-solving and by advocating constructive responses to inevitable conflict. Ensuring a well-prepared staff early on is important for FMCS and for the overall mission. The ability to help organizations reduce conflict means they will become more efficient, creating more value for customers, shareholders and employees alike, and substantially benefit the national economy.

Many of the new mediators are already experienced labor-relations professionals. New mediator Kevin Wagner, assigned to the Washington, DC field office, has a background on both sides of the negotiating table and as a neutral, previously working for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union, working for a neutral labor arbitrator, and working as director of labor relations for Bloomberg BNA before coming to FMCS. He also is a third generation FMCS mediator. “My father and grandfather were both federal mediators, so I’ve been around the agency my whole life,” he said.

“I’m very happy to continue that legacy here at FMCS,” Wagner said. “I look at mediation as more of a vocation than a job. When you really want to do this, it’s not really work. I’m excited about the variety of work we will be exposed to. Whether it’s collective bargaining or (alternative dispute resolution), I enjoy not having a foot in one bucket.”

At the end of the training, the new mediators will return to their respective field locations to continue working alongside more seasoned FMCS mediators until they begin working their own cases.

Giacolone offered his advice to the new mediators. “Be a good listener,” he said. “That’s half of what we do, making sure we understand what the problem is that the parties are facing and understanding it completely. That helps us to help them and helping them is what it’s all about.”

WASHINGTON, DC (March 19, 2019) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Deputy Director Richard Giacolone (center) poses with newly commissioned federal mediators from around the country at the FMCS headquarters. The mediators were at the headquarters to attend a five-day training program to prepare them for their role in helping to resolve labor-management conflicts, build better relationships, and create more effective organizations. (FMCS Photo/Heather Brown)

## FMCS Issues Joint Statement on Barton Healthcare System and the California Nurses Association Cooling Off Period

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On behalf of Barton Healthcare System (Barton Health) and the California Nurses Association (CNA), the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has issued the following statement:

“On the request of the mediator, the parties have agreed to abide to a 35-day cooling off period beginning Feb. 19, 2019. During this period, neither party may conduct any sanctioned labor action, to include strikes or lockouts. However, the parties will continue to be actively engaged in negotiations to exchange proposals under the guidance of FMCS.

Only official representatives of CNA are authorized to speak on behalf of CNA regarding any matters related to the parties’ negotiations. Similarly, only official representatives of Barton Health are authorized to speak on behalf of Barton Health regarding any matters related to the parties’ negotiations.”

As is Agency practice, FMCS does not disclose information regarding meeting dates and locations, nor information regarding the status or substance of the negotiations.

## FMCS Issues Joint Statement on Behalf of Barton Healthcare System and the California Nurses Association

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On behalf of Barton Healthcare System (Barton Health) and the California Nurses Association (CNA), the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has issued the following statement:

“With the assistance of FMCS, Barton Health and CNA collectively have agreed to work with FMCS in mediated labor negotiations towards a new collective bargaining agreement. Only official representatives of CNA are authorized to speak on behalf of CNA with regard to any matters related to the parties’ negotiations. Similarly, only official representatives of Barton Health are authorized to speak on behalf of Barton Health with regard to any matters related to the parties’ negotiations.”

As is Agency practice, FMCS does not disclose information regarding meeting dates and locations, nor information regarding the status or substance of the negotiations.

## FMCS Commends National Grid and USW on Ratification of Recent Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Jan. 7, 2019, National Grid and United Steelworkers Locals 12003 and 12012-04 ratified a tentative 5 1/2 -year agreement that was reached Jan. 2. The new agreement covers approximately 1,250 gas workers across eastern Massachusetts and ends a six-month work stoppage that had been widely covered in the media. The company and unions have negotiated a transition schedule beginning with onboarding sessions this week that will lead to a full return to work later this month.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Commissioner Martin Callaghan of the Boston field office was assigned to the case in April and began mediating negotiations in June before the work stoppage. Assisted by fellow FMCS Commissioners Barbara Owens and Todd Austin, they were able to assist the parties in coming to the table and reaching a mutually-acceptable agreement.  The parties are commended for their hard work and openness to mediation, working through 36 collective bargaining mediation sessions, and for their tenacity in meeting continuously throughout the holidays to find a resolution both sides would find satisfactory.

FMCS Acting Director Rich Giacolone applauded the agreement, the parties, and the FMCS mediators for their roles bringing both sides together during the bargaining. “It has been a long six months, and I’m happy to see the long hours and commitment by everyone involved resulted in a successful and positive outcome. Getting back on the job is good for the workers, good for the company and good for the many customers who rely on normal operations.”

Both parties recognized the improvements made to the contract in the areas of wages, pensions, healthcare and the creation of new positions, among other items.

“I am pleased to know FMCS was able to play a role in creating an environment where both parties      can put aside their differences and come to an adequate agreement.” said Giacolone. “It’s what we’re here for.”

## FMCS Statement on Tentative Agreement in Professional Referee Organization and Professional Soccer Referees Association Contract Talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Jan. 7, 2019, representatives from the Professional Referee Organization and the Professional Soccer Referees Association reached tentative agreement on a successor collective bargaining agreement under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). Subject to the ratification of the membership, the new agreement will cover a five-year term with a new expiration date of January 15, 2024. This agreement followed five consecutive days of mediation at the FMCS offices in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

FMCS Acting Director Rich Giacolone commended the work of FMCS Deputy Director and National Representative Scot Beckenbaugh and FMCS Commissioner Bill Domini of the Northeast Region who provided valuable assistance throughout the mediation process. “We applaud the efforts of the negotiating teams in reaching this tentative agreement,” Giacolone said. “I am gratified that FMCS was able to aid in these negotiations and look forward to a positive conclusion.”

In accordance with FMCS practice and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the agreement or the substance of the negotiations.

## FMCS Again Selected As “Best Place to Work” Among Small Federal Agencies in Back-to-Back Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) again received the top ranking among small Federal agencies as a *Best Place to Work in the Federal Government*, according to the 2018 rankings released today by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service and Boston Consulting Group.

With rankings first being held in 2003, this marks the fifth time FMCS was selected for the top spot, having earned this distinction in 2005, 2007, 2015, and in 2017. Additionally, the Agency has consistently ranked in the top 4 since the “small agency” category rankings were first included in 2007. Data points from the FEVS revealed that FMCS’s 2018 employee engagement score is 87.2 out of 100, which placed FMCS at 1 out of 29 small agencies. The FMCS score improved by 0.3 points since last year, while the government-wide engagement score is 62.2, down 0.6 points from last year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 12, 2018) (From L to R) Deputy Director, Field Operations Gary Hattal, Acting Director Rich Giacolone and Change Management Advisor Traci Coddington accept a plaque recognizing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) as the Best Place to Work in the Federal Government (Small Agency category) for 2018. (Photo courtesy of Partnership for Public Service)

“I could not be prouder of our FMCS team, and I am truly humbled that FMCS has earned the top award for small agencies once again,” said FMCS Acting Director Rich Giacolone. “Serving as an FMCS employee myself for more than 23 years, I’ve always been honored to be a part of our vital mission helping to resolve workplace conflict. Our team also holds this mission in the highest regard and it continues to be reflected in their self-reported analysis of job satisfaction in this survey. Time and again, FMCS employees have demonstrated their strong commitment to excellence as public servants and to the mission which unites the FMCS organization.”

Looking forward to the 2019 FEVS, FMCS will maintain its focus on continuous improvement and has already begun work to increase innovation, one of two categories where scores declined slightly from the previous year. The nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, and Boston Consulting Group, which released the rankings of Federal workplaces today, based their overall ratings on responses from more than 598,000 civil servants to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) conducted by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annually. Historically, there have been between 28 and 35 agencies in the “small agency” category for Federal government rankings.

*The Best Places to Work* rankings provide critical information to help Federal agencies and Congress assess workplace health and performance. In addition to overall satisfaction and commitment, the rankings measure employee attitudes on multiple workplace categories, including effective leadership, strategic management, innovation, support for diversity, training and development, work-life balance, teamwork and pay.

Complete rankings and more information about the survey are available at the Partnership for Public Service website at https://bestplacestowork.org/

## FMCS to Head Administration of National Capital Area Shared Neutrals Program

FMCS today announced it will begin administrative management of the Federal Shared Neutrals Program, an interagency collaborative effort in support of alternative dispute resolution, formerly operated as Sharing Neutrals by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). FMCS will administer the program in the National Capital Region, including the Washington, DC area and Baltimore, in coordination with participating federal agencies that contribute to, and make use of, a pool of collateral-duty federal employees to mediate cases outside their own agency. In many regions of the country, Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) have created individual programs modeled after the DC-based program but run through each FEB. These programs will continue separate operations, except for those who may wish to have FMCS administer their regional SN program.

Annually, the SN Program provides workplace mediation services at little or no cost for approximately 250 cases across more than 50 participating agencies and sub-agencies. This has been a very successful relationship supported by a pool of more than 250 collateral-duty federal employees who are dedicated to assisting in the resolution of workplace disputes.

To learn more about using Shared Neutrals services, or joining the program, contact the Shared Neutrals Program Coordinator at (202) 796-1533, email sharedneutrals@fmcs.gov, or visit our information page at www.fmcs.gov/sharedneutrals.

## FMCS Announces Labor-Management Grants Totaling $441,753

Release Date: 11/7/18

WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) today announced the selection of three recipients of labor-management grants totaling $441,753 to fund cooperative projects addressing cooperation as a means to improve collective bargaining, and fund joint, innovative solutions to proactively mitigate workplace issues, including quality assurance and the “skills gap” between applicants and job vacancies in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing and the building trades.

As has been the case in previous years, FMCS sought applications targeting a shortage of skilled workers for U.S. manufacturing jobs and other vital economic sectors. This year, FMCS showed special interest in applications that look ahead to training for high-tech jobs that will emerge from an economy where new technology such as artificial intelligence is becoming more commonplace. The successful labor-management applicants reflect both economic and geographic diversity, including diverse industries and regions.

“I am extremely impressed with the quality of applicants for this year’s grants program. Our grantees distinguished themselves by showing that collaborative and creative approaches can be used by both labor and management to jointly resolve workplace issues, avoiding potentially disruptive disputes,” said FMCS Acting Director Rich Giacolone.

“FMCS enthusiastically supports this type of joint problem solving and we encourage groups representing both sides of the table to work together to collectively succeed,” said Giacolone.

Under the Agency’s grants program, FMCS awards a limited number of competitive grants to encourage and promote labor-management cooperation as well as joint, innovative solutions to workplace issues.

Through its grant awards, the Agency supports best practices in labor-management cooperation as a way of improving collective bargaining and proactively mitigating labor-management disputes. The grants program helps foster the establishment and operation of joint labor-management committees at the company level, on a community or area-wide basis, within a particular industry, or for public sector employees.

The grants program, which began in 1981 under the authority of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (PL 95-524), has funded a broad range of projects including outreach, communications, strategic planning, minority recruitment and process development.

Please see the attached FY-2018 Labor-Management Cooperation Grant Program Funding Summaries.

## FMCS Statement on Tentative Labor Agreement Between Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Acting Director Rich Giacolone issued the following statement today on the announcement of a tentative agreement between Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions:

“I want to acknowledge Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions for this exceptional achievement. These were lengthy and difficult negotiations, and despite the challenges, the parties were able to reach a tentative agreement on extremely complex and comprehensive issues with the potential to benefit thousands of patients and workers across the country.”

The negotiations, which began in May, were the largest private-sector health care negotiations in the United States. The tentative agreement carries special importance as it is the first between Kaiser Permanente and the newly formed Alliance of Health Care Unions. The tentative agreement covers nearly 48,000 Kaiser health care workers, in 22 union locals, located in seven states and the District of Columbia.

“Our goal as neutrals is to help the parties reach agreement, but we always recognize that the credit for that agreement rightfully belongs to the negotiating parties. We are honored to have contributed in some small part,” said Giacolone.

In addition to recognizing the work of the negotiating teams, Giacolone also praised the efforts of FMCS Commissioners Isael Hermosillo, Rachel Lev, Steve Kessler and Jimmy Valentine, along with Regional Director Linda Gonzalez and FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh, who assisted the parties during this extensive process. “Our team put in many long hours throughout these negotiations,” Giacolone said. “We extend our congratulations to the parties and thank Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance for their cooperation.”

In accordance with FMCS practice and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the agreement or the substance of the negotiations.

*The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and more than 60 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.*

**Download a PDF copy of this news release by clicking HERE.**

## FMCS Contingency Plan for Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

This FMCS memorandum sets forth a contingency plan that will be operational in the event of a lapse in appropriations to fund current Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service activities.  The plan provides for an orderly suspension of agency operations and for the continuation of those agency operations deemed to be excepted from suspension.

To access the FMCS Contingency Plan signed on Nov. 13, 2023, click here.

## FMCS 2018 National Labor-Management Conference Hears From Top Labor Experts, U.S. Secretary of Labor

The FMCS 2018 National Labor-Management Conference concluded August 23 in Chicago after hearing from a lineup of distinguished speakers during the three-day event, including U.S. Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta as well as experts on dispute resolution, negotiation, collective bargaining and other labor relations topics.
> 
As NLMC concludes, FMCS Acting Dir. Rich Giacolone reminds attendees, “One of the most #FundamentalPrinciples at FMCS is recognizing the importance of #communication in #labor – #mgmt relations. Good things happen when ppl start communicating & build #relationships.” #FMCSatWorkpic.twitter.com/xfXxSmHDAB

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 23, 2018

> 
From our #MeToo Movement session this morning @sagaftra President @TheGabrielle_C “We know what the problem is, we know where we want to go, but we have to find a path to get there. Because we can all be in agreement that without a path, we’ll never arrive.” pic.twitter.com/7gSpSDvEzQ

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 23, 2018

> 
We’re honored to have @sagaftra President Gabrielle Carteris and @acalltomen Co-founder Ted Bunch join us today and lead our #FMCSatWork plenary on Men’s role in supporting the #MeToo Movement! @TheGabrielle_Cpic.twitter.com/6KwB7qDtb7

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 22, 2018

> 
.@SecretaryAcosta at #NLMC2018 on labor-management #collaboration: “The fact that you are all here shows the progress that #labor and #management have made, and continue to make, by working together.” @USDOL#FMCSatWorkpic.twitter.com/NgSx43CRqT

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 22, 2018

> 
.@ronaldmshapiro “What is the best way to achieve a win-win deal? It takes dedication, commitment, discipline, continuous learning, and it takes a systematic approach. The 3 P’s: Prepare, Probe, and Propose.” pic.twitter.com/uCRJ3UI6pE

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 22, 2018

> 
Terrific session on conflict management best practices featuring @Columbia Peter Coleman. “The more we develop our capacities to have a menu of options, the better we are and the more effective we feel.” #FMCSatWorkpic.twitter.com/zgUdAM5k6a

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 21, 2018

> 
Many thanks to @LockheedMartin Jay Sumner and @UAW Adam Stevenson for joining us & sharing tools & benefits of applying a non-traditional approach to negotiations & how to tailor your bargaining model for negotiations success. #FMCSatWorkpic.twitter.com/fohUX7iE9M

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 21, 2018

> 
.@UAWFordDept Bill Eaddy & @Ford Lisa Sabourin presenting now at NLMC on #CampaignOfHope initiative – raising awareness about opioids and supporting those affected by #opioids. #FMCSatWorkpic.twitter.com/ThpWGVOSbH

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 21, 2018

> 
.@ChicagosMayor : “Nobody signs up for a win-lose situation...if we can see to a win-win we can get there...if you want to get to a yes, you deserve a seat at the table.” #FMCSatWorkpic.twitter.com/vyeNSzWbE2

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 21, 2018

 
> 
“Conflict resolution, moving the ball forward, is important for all of us so we can have stable relations and we can bring those conflicts to resolutions.” @BobReiterJr speaking at the FMCS National Labor-Management Conference #FMCSatWork#NLMC2018pic.twitter.com/FHy4mSjnBf

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 21, 2018

> 
“Collective bargaining allows us to break down the walls and really talk, and then put the talk into action. Let’s do that together.” @AEAPresident Kate Shindle at the FMCS National Labor-Management Conference #FMCSatWork#NLMC2018

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 21, 2018

> 
.@FMCS_USA Director Rich Giacolone: “In these changing times for labor-management relations, it is encouraging and gratifying to see such a turnout for this conference!”

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) August 21, 2018

 

Later today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta joins the lineup of distinguished speakers at the FMCS 2018 National Labor-Management in Chicago. followed later in the day by SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and a discussion on the role of men in the MeToo Movement.

 

For more information about NLMC 2018, visit the conference web page at http://www.cvent.com/events/national-labor-management-conference-2018/event-summary-441d929858ac4e7e8dbc21b929d1b996.aspx 

## FMCS mediator and spouse help disabled theft victim

San-Antonio-TX-based FMCS mediator Walter Darr and his wife Lara were moved by a local TV-news story about a disabled Marine veteran whose livelihood was threatened when a wood saw that was vital to his work was stolen from his home workshop. Inspired by the plight of the former Marine, Water and his wife purchased a replacement saw for the vet, which attracted the attention of Houston-based KHOU11-TV. The KHOU news crew returned to do a follow-up report on the Darrs’ compassionate assistance for the work-at-home former Marine. View the news video coverage.

## Announcement: FMCS Announces Key Personnel Positions

WASHINGTON, DC – Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Acting Director, Rich Giacolone announced on June 26 during a regularly-scheduled managers’ meeting that, effective immediately, FMCS Commissioner Gary Hattal will be replacing John Pinto as Deputy Director of Field Operations in preparation for Pinto’s upcoming retirement.

Pinto served FMCS for almost 30 years, beginning his career as a field mediator in 1988 and assuming the duties of Deputy Director, Field Operations in 2016.

The Deputy Director, Field Operations oversees the FMCS field office structure and ensures maximum support to all field staff, including administrative assistants, mediators, and managers.

WASHINGTON, DC (June 26, 2018) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Acting Director, Rich Giacolone (second from right) announces at a regularly-scheduled managers’ meeting his selection of FMCS commissioners Gary Hattal (right) and David Thaler to serve as the new Deputy Director of Field Operations and Senior Advisor to the Director’s Office, respectively. (FMCS Photo/Released)

Hattal has been with FMCS since 1995 and has served as a field mediator in three field stations (Washington, D.C., Oakland, CA and Seattle, WA), director of Arbitration Services for the FMCS, director of the FMCS Institute for Conflict Management, and as a special assistant to the FMCS’s former Agency Director. He has served across a variety of arenas including dispute settlement, preventive mediation, training, assessment, coaching, and facilitation skills to achieve enhanced work relationships. He has varied and extensive experience in the phases of interest-based negotiations procedures, organizational culture, and labor-management partnership development.

Prior to receiving his FMCS appointment, Hattal’s experience includes over 15 years of labor relations representation, contract negotiations, and has served as an adjunct professor for numerous colleges and universities.

Giacolone also announced that FMCS Commissioner David Thaler will be transitioning to a new position as Senior Advisor to the Director’s Office. In this capacity, Thaler will advise and support senior managers in the Office of the Director in policy development and implementation.

Thaler, previously based out of the Metro New York field office, mediated disputes involving collective bargaining, and designed and facilitated labor-management committee cooperation efforts involving major hospitals and unions in the New York City area. He also trained labor and management partners in a variety of industries in core relationship and communications skills so that they could excel in the administration phase of their collective bargaining agreements. Prior to joining FMCS, Thaler practiced employment and commercial litigation in New York City, handling cases involving employment-related statutes such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and Title VII. He later served as an International Programs Officer with the Bureau of International Labor Affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor.

## Develop Collective Bargaining Skills with FMCS Training

Collective bargaining in today’s environment is challenging. Economic uncertainties, com-plex health and pension benefit issues, social media, and influences from external forcesoften make the collective bargaining process difficult to navigate. Improved negotiationskills can increase your odds of achieving a collective bargaining agreement that meetsthe needs of both sides.

Click here for more information.

## Learn How to File Your (Form F-7) Notice to FMCS of Upcoming Collective Bargaining Online!

Did you know? You can file your (Form F-7) Notice to FMCS of Upcoming Collective Bargaining online!

It’s fast, easy, and convenient. To learn how to file online, click here.

Visit the FMCS website Resources pages, where you can find other helpful links to FMCS conflict resolution services,documents, and data.

## For a Winning Combination, Build a Better Labor-Management Relationship

The American workplace is the basic foundation of the U.S. economy, and the ability of American business to compete worldwide relates directly to workplace performance. The workplace labor-management relationship, therefore, has major economic implications, because it affects product and service quality, productivity and profits of firms, and the jobs and employment security of workers. To assist management and labor in improving their relationship so they can learn to work together on issues of mutual interest, as a team instead of adversaries, FMCS offers a range of Relationship Development and Training services.

To learn more, click here.

## Deadline Approaching for FMCS Labor-Management Grants Applications Due May 31, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC – The deadline to apply for a labor-management grant from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is now less than a month away; and time is growing short to earn grant funding for projects such as improving workers’ skills, addressing workplace health and safety issues, or jointly resolving labor-management issues.

FMCS grants totaling approximately $500,000 will be awarded in FY 2018 to promote best practices in labor-management cooperation as a way of improving collective bargaining and proactively mitigating labor-management disputes. The grant program supports the establishment and operation of joint labor-management committees at the company level, on a community or area-wide basis, within a particular industry, and for public sector employees.

FMCS grants are intended to support and promote labor-management cooperation as well as joint, innovative solutions to disruptive workplace issues.

As has been the case in previous years, FMCS is encouraging applications to address the shortage of skilled workers for U.S. manufacturing jobs and in other vital economic sectors. Also of special interest are grant applications that look ahead to training for high-tech jobs that will emerge from an economy where new technologies such as artificial intelligence, self-driving vehicles, and Internet-based transactions are commonplace. John Pinto, FMCS Deputy Director, Field Operations, said, “It is imperative that management and labor begin preparing for the new jobs and workplaces that new technologies will create in the near future.”

FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh added, “We want to encourage labor organizations and employers to think about the jobs of tomorrow and to explore options with the FMCS grants program for developing joint training programs that can teach the skills needed to fill these jobs.”

Detailed information and application training videos are available at https://www.fmcs.gov/resources/forms-applications/labor-management-grants-program/.

Interested parties are urged to contact the FMCS Grants Office at (202) 606-8181 with any questions they might have.

The grants program, which began in 1981 under the authority of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (PL 95-524), has funded a broad range of projects including outreach, communications, strategic planning, minority recruitment and process development.

## New FMCS Mediators Train to Resolve Labor-Management Conflicts

WASHINGTON, DC– The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) hosted 14 newly commissioned mediators Mar. 19-23 in its Washington, DC headquarters as part of an annual training program designed to prepare new mediators to help FMCS labor and management customers better manage disruptive contract and workplace disputes.

The five-day program, led by senior FMCS staff, introduced a variety of professional topics including administrative procedures, mediator code of conduct and ethics, the history of FMCS, the National Labor Relations Act and alternative dispute resolution.

FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh welcomed the new mediators as “the newest members of the FMCS family,” he said. “Our primary goal throughout this week is to provide our mediators with the highest levels of training, allowing them to best support labor-management negotiations in the field and support the institution of collective bargaining.”

WASHINGTON, DC (March 20, 2018) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Deputy Director, Scot Beckenbaugh, welcomes a group of new federal mediators from around the country at the FMCS headquarters. The mediators were at the headquarters to attend a five-day training program to prepare them for their role in helping to resolve labor-management conflicts, build better relationships, and create more effective organizations. (FMCS Photo/Heather Brown)

Mediators from FMCS provide a multitude of services to both the public and private sector to build labor-management partnerships, manage conflict, and avert or mitigate the damaging effects of workplace disputes. Many of the new mediators are already experienced labor-relations professionals, with expertise in resolving labor-management disputes, building labor-management relationships, and alternative dispute resolution for government agencies. FMCS equips them to help build better relationships through joint problem-solving and by advocating constructive responses to inevitable conflict. Organizations that reduce conflict become more efficient, creating more value for customers, shareholders and employees alike, and substantially benefit the national economy.

“This was very helpful training,” said Antionette Turner, one of the new mediators attending the course. “The best part was that I learned a lot of techniques from very experienced mediators that help shed light on how to be most effective and value-added to the parties I will be assisting in negotiations.”

Mediators arrived in Washington from across the country, representing some of the more than 60 FMCS field offices and 10 regional offices. Although new to federal mediation, all the mediators are experienced in labor-management negotiations whether on the labor side or the management side.

“With my previous background as a union representative, I wanted to take my experience into another level of development,” said Tim Healy, a new mediator based out of Chicago. “I’ve used FMCS in the past and respect their mission statement. I’m grateful to be aboard.”

At the end of the training, the new mediators returned to their respective field locations to continue working alongside more seasoned FMCS mediators until they begin working their own cases.

“I’m excited to develop this skillset and use my position as a neutral to help facilitate better relations among disputing parties to hopefully avoid strikes or lockouts and get everyone to a place they are equally comfortable with,” said Healy.

*FMCS, created in 1947, is an independent agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with ten regional offices and more than 60 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.*

WASHINGTON, DC (March 20, 2018) John Pinto, director of field operations for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), administers the oath of office to a group of new federal mediators from around the country at the FMCS headquarters. The mediators were at the headquarters to attend a five-day training program to prepare them for their role in helping to resolve labor-management conflicts, build better relationships, and create more effective organizations. (FMCS Photo/Greg Raelson)

## FMCS Ranks First Among Small Federal Agency “Best Places to Work”

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has received the top ranking among 28 small Federal agencies as a “best place to work” in the government, according to an analysis of survey results by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service.

“We are pleased and honored at this recognition of FMCS,” said John Pinto, Deputy Director of Field Operations. “Once again, FMCS employees have demonstrated their strong commitment to high standards of excellence for themselves and for FMCS leadership, and have shown their dedication to our vital mission of helping to resolve workplace conflict.”

FMCS Deputy Director Scot L. Beckenbaugh added, “FMCS has performed consistently well in the yearly ratings because of the hard work of FMCS managers and employees in practicing daily what we advocate for our customers, which is to encourage a workplace culture based on transparency, trust, respect, tolerance, and communication. We pride ourselves in working together as managers and employees to both raise our individual performance levels and achieve our organizational goals.”

FMCS was recognized at a Partnership for Public Service news conference Friday for its first place ranking in 2017, which also rated FMCS first among small agencies in several individual categories, including “Effective Leadership,” “Innovation,” and “Empowerment.” based on employee responses to survey questions.

The nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, and Deloitte, which released the rankings of Federal workplaces today, based their overall ratings on responses from more than 486,105 civil servants in 410 Federal organizations to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) conducted by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from May to June in 2017.

The Best Places to Work rankings provide critical information to help Federal agencies and Congress assess workplace health and performance. In addition to overall satisfaction and commitment, the rankings measure employee attitudes on 10 workplace categories, including effective leadership, innovation, support for diversity, work-life balance and pay.

Based on previous surveys, the FMCS was the top-ranked “best place to work” among small agencies in 2005, 2007, and 2015. The rankings began in 2003, and since 2007 have been conducted annually. The FMCS generally has scored among the top five finishers for small agencies in every year that Agency results were available for comparison.

Complete 2017 rankings and information about the survey are available at the Partnership for Public Service website at http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/.

For Federal News Radio coverage of the FMCS ranking, click here.
> 
Max Stier, left, presents “Best Places to Work” plaque to Scot Beckenbaugh at Friday event. pic.twitter.com/zeRtaXKgVf

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) January 26, 2018

> 
@FMCS_USA is rated “Best Place to Work” among small agencies at Friday Partnership for Public Service event! pic.twitter.com/dsykZM0ute

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) January 26, 2018

## FMCS Labor-Management Grants Program Accepts Applications for FY 2018

WASHINGTON, DC– The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has opened its labor-management grants application period for fiscal year 2018 and is encouraging grant applications focused on building a skilled workforce in every segment of the U.S. economy where employers have experienced difficulties in filling available good-paying jobs requiring specialized training and new skill sets.

FMCS grants are intended to support and promote labor-management cooperation as well as joint, innovative solutions to disruptive workplace issues.

FMCS grants totaling approximately $500,000 will be awarded in FY 2018 to promote best practices in labor-management cooperation as a way of improving collective bargaining and proactively mitigating labor-management disputes. The grant program supports the establishment and operation of joint labor-management committees at the company level, on a community or area-wide basis, within a particular industry, and for public sector employees.

As has been the case in previous years, FMCS is encouraging applications to address the shortage of skilled workers for U.S. manufacturing jobs and in other vital economic sectors. Also of special interest are grant applications that look ahead to training for high-tech jobs that will emerge from an economy where new technologies such as artificial intelligence, self-driving vehicles, and Internet-based transactions are commonplace. John Pinto, FMCS Deputy Director, Field Operations, said, “It is imperative that management and labor begin preparing for the new jobs and workplaces that new technologies will create in the near future. Management and labor, working collaboratively, and with FMCS assistance, can develop plans to suit their individual circumstances and special needs, whatever they might be, to fill our nation’s requirement for skilled workers tomorrow, next year and the next decade.”

“We want to encourage labor organizations and employers to think about the jobs of tomorrow and to explore options with the FMCS grants program for developing joint training programs that can teach the skills needed to fill these jobs,” said FMCS Deputy Director Scot L. Beckenbaugh. “Working with FMCS to build cooperative efforts, unions and employers can also benefit from improved labor-management relationships and increased competency in joint problem-solving through anticipating and teaching the skills that the workers of tomorrow will need,’ Beckenbaugh said.

Starting March 12, 2018, grant applications may be submitted until May 31, 2018. Application information and instructions for completing the process can be obtained online on the FMCS website.  Interested parties are urged to contact the FMCS Grants Office at (202) 606-8181 with any questions they might have.

The grants program, which began in 1981 under the authority of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (PL 95-524), has funded a broad range of projects including outreach, communications, strategic planning, minority recruitment and process development.

 

## FMCS Announces Labor-Management Grants Totaling $895,096

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) today announced 10 recipients of labor-management grants totaling $895,096 to fund cooperative projects addressing disruptive workplace issues, including the “skills gap” between applicants and job vacancies in fields such as manufacturing and the building trades.

In this year’s grants program, FMCS especially sought applications targeting a shortage of skilled workers for U.S. manufacturing jobs and other vital economic sectors. Grant recipients reflected a variety of approaches to developing a more skilled workforce as well as proposals that jointly tackle other workplace issues for labor and management. The successful labor-management applicants reflect both economic and geographic diversity, including diverse industries and regions.

“I am extremely gratified by the outstanding applications we received for this year’s grants program. Our grantees represent the best of the best. They offer real creative approaches to building skill levels in young workers for our nation’s workplaces. In addition, our grantees are showing innovative ways that labor and management can team up to jointly resolve other, potentially disruptive workplace issues,” said FMCS Acting Director John Pinto.

“It is my belief that management and labor, working collaboratively, and with FMCS assistance, can develop plans to suit their individual circumstances and special needs, whatever they might be,” he added. “A strong labor-management relationship is a key factor in the success of businesses and labor organizations that build their communities while they fuel regional and national economies. At FMCS, we are all about growing these relationships.”

Under the Agency’s grants program, FMCS awards a limited number of competitive grants to encourage and promote labor-management cooperation as well as joint, innovative solutions to workplace issues.

Through its grant awards, the Agency supports best practices in labor-management cooperation as a way of improving collective bargaining and proactively mitigating labor-management disputes. The grants program helps foster the establishment and operation of joint labor-management committees at the company level, on a community or area-wide basis, within a particular industry, or for public sector employees.

The grants program, which began in 1981 under the authority of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (PL 95-524), has funded a broad range of projects including outreach, communications, strategic planning, minority recruitment and process development.

Click for a summary of the FY 2017 FMCS labor-management grant recipients.

## Former FMCS Directors Join in Agency 70th Anniversary Celebration

WASHINGTON, DC –The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) observed its 70th anniversary with a celebratory cake on August 22, 2017 with a day of seminars and webinars for its labor-management customers and interested parties seeking to improve their collective bargaining relationship, resolve workplace disputes, or bargain more effectively and efficiently.

Acting Director John Pinto slices an FMCS anniversary cake, and former Director Ken Moffett observes.

Anyone interested in learning more about FMCS dispute resolution services was invited to attend either the in-person or online events as well as a noontime anniversary cake-cutting ceremony led by Acting Director John Pinto with distinguished guests and former FMCS Directors Ken Moffett (1981-82), Bernard DeLury (1990-93), Peter Hurtgen (2002-05), and George Cohen (2009-13).

Former FMCS Directors gather for the Agency’s 70th anniversary celebration. Left to right, Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh; former Director Ken Moffett (1981-82); former Director Peter Hurtgen (2002-05); Acting Director John Pinto; former Director George Cohen (2009-13); and former Director Bernie DeLury (1990-93).

The former FMCS Directors joined Acting Director John Pinto and Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh in cutting an FMCS anniversary cake and marking the occasion with some impromptu remarks and remembrances.

## New, Improved System to Request FMCS Arbitration Panels Launches

*What You Need to Know*

To better serve our customers, FMCS launched a totally new arbitration software system on Monday, June 19, 2017. The new system is designed to be more user-friendly for customers and to offer more options, flexibility, and more efficient service. With a step-by-step guide, learning how to use the new FMCS software interface should be quick and easy, and FMCS staff is available to help at every phase. As a first step, customers are asked to complete a simple, one-time registration before making their first panel request following the June 19 launch. Detailed instructions are on the arbitration panel request page. If you have questions at any stage, please contact us at arbitration@fmcs.gov.

## FMCS Observes 70th Anniversary

FMCS observed the Agency’s 70th Anniversary at FMCS headquarters at 250 E Street SW, Washington, D.C.,  on August 22, 2017, with a day of seminars and webinars for its labor-management customers and interested parties seeking to improve their collective bargaining relationship, resolve workplace disputes, or bargain more effectively and efficiently.

The new FMCS C3 Conflict Resolution Series of webinars was launched as part of the day’s events, highlighting trends and strategies related to conflict resolution that are designed to help labor-management better communicate and collaborate to create solutions for the Future@Work.

The day also featured a panel discussion focusing on 21st Century Leadership – and how labor and management can apply best practices of leadership in their own organizations. Panelists included: Brian Redmond PhD, Penn State University; Silvia Fabela, The Center for Popular Democracy; Israel Nunez, USAF Reserve and FMCS; and Moderator Conrad Bowling.

**Currently, all seats for anniversary events have been fully booked. Join us online for the launch of the C3 Conflict Resolution Panel Series.**

Click the image to enlarge the schedule of events or download it here.

## FMCS Applauds ILWU-PMA West Coast Ports Announcements

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Acting Director John Pinto today applauded the recent announcements regarding a three-year contract extension between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). When finalized on August 4, the extension will ensure stable labor relations among employers and the ILWU at all 29 U.S. West Coast ports to July 1, 2022.

The FMCS Acting Director praised both labor and management representatives for taking early and decisive action to resolve their differences well ahead of the scheduled contract expiration in 2019. “Recognizing and addressing mutual issues of concern in advance of a contract deadline is always our recommendation where difficult and complex issues are involved,” Pinto said. “ ILWU President, Bob McEllrath, PMA Executive Director Jim McKenna, the members of their bargaining committees and the respective members of both organizations are to be commended for their success in utilizing the collective bargaining process to bring the hope of calm, stable, and continued economic progress to the West Coast ports and the U.S. economy.

Pinto added, “This is almost a text book example of following the blueprint of FMCS best practices to a successful conclusion at the bargaining table.” The extended contract was based upon the one reached in February, 2015 following what were characterized as “volatile union-employer relations.”

Those talks, which led to a settlement that ultimately restored the ports to normal operations, were successfully mediated by FMCS Deputy Director Scot L Beckenbaugh. With their recent announcements, the ILWU and PMA have extended the main provisions of that contract, with wage, pension, and health care amendments, until a July 1, 2022 expiration date.

## Key Labor-Management Leaders to Gather in Nashville for Tennessee Labor-Management Conference August 14-16

The Tennessee Labor Management Foundation brings together the state’s top executives, union leaders, academia and decision makers. Regarded as one of the top labor-management organizations in the state, the Foundation links leaders in labor, management and higher education, and offers educational conferences statewide.

For more information on this event, click here. 

 

## FMCS Hosts International Leaders at National Headquarters

As evidence that FMCS expertise in labor dispute resolution is recognized and valued around the world, the Agency hosted leaders from many nations June 29-30 for discussions about labor-management conflict and the role of the Agency in providing mediation and other dispute resolution services.

## Management and Labor Leaders Come Together at Louisiana-Mississippi Labor-Management Conference July 31-Aug. 2

This year’s Louisiana-Mississippi Labor-Management Conference will give leaders in management and labor opportunities to examine the impact of social media on the workplace and other hot topics in labor and employment law. Also on the conference agenda, program segments featuring a Healthcare Update; the Affinity Method of Collaborative Economic Bargaining; Updates from Regulatory Agencies, and much more!

For more information, visit the conference website.

## Learn the “Competitive Edge” at Texas Labor-Management Conference, July 12-14

Customers, consumers, and, increasingly, employees, expect companies to care about social issues and reward those that engage their employees. In the Federal work place, “employee engagement” is usually the deciding factor in determining the “Best Place to Work.”

Understanding and recognizing this “collective activism” – a desire to leverage the resources of large entities, including government, to change the world rather than act alone – is essential for companies that hope to develop effective labor-relations strategies and have the Competitive Edge.

Learn how to get the “Competitive Edge” at the Texas Labor-Management Conference, July 12-14.

## Promoting labor-management cooperation at the Georgia Labor-Management Conference

The Georgia Labor Management Conference brings together unionized workers and their employers, along with lawyers, educators, government agencies and others whose work supports labor management relations.

For more conference information, click here.

FMCS provides services and programs that enable labor and management to better work together in joint problem solving and resolve differences at the collective bargaining table.

 

## FMCS Announces Extension For Labor-Management Grants Applications

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** — The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) today announced that the deadline for applications for FMCS labor-management grants for fiscal year 2017 has been extended to June 16, 2017.

Under the program, FMCS awards a limited number of competitive grants to encourage and promote labor-management cooperation as well as joint, innovative solutions to disruptive workplace issues.

Through its grant awards, the Agency supports best practices in labor-management cooperation as a way of improving collective bargaining and proactively mitigating labor-management disputes. The grants program helps foster the establishment and operation of joint labor-management committees at the company level, on a community or area-wide basis, within a particular industry, or for public sector employees.

This year, FMCS has especially encouraged applications to address the shortage of skilled workers for U.S. manufacturing jobs and in other vital economic sectors. In announcing this year’s program, FMCS Acting Director John Pinto stated, “It is my belief that management and labor, working collaboratively, and with FMCS assistance, can develop plans to suit their individual circumstances and special needs, whatever they might be, to sufficiently restore a skilled workforce for our nation’s employers.”

With today’s announcement of an extension to the deadline, grant applications may now be submitted to FMCS until June 16, 2017. Application information about how to apply can be obtained online at the Agency’s Web site—www.fmcs.gov. Interested parties are urged to contact the FMCS Grants Office at (202) 606-8181 with any questions they might have.

The grants program, which began in 1981 under the authority of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (PL 95-524), has funded a broad range of projects including outreach, communications, strategic planning, minority recruitment and process development.

 

## FMCS Statement on Negotiations Between Honeywell Aerospace and United Auto Workers

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** — John Pinto, Acting Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issued the following statement today regarding the mediation session conducted today at the request of FMCS:

“I am pleased to announce that following a lengthy mediation session held in the Chicago offices of FMCS, Honeywell has agreed to issue a revised offer which the UAW bargaining representatives will recommend positively to their membership for ratification. I want to commend the representatives from Honeywell and the UAW for agreeing to attend the mediation session and I congratulate them on this hopeful outcome.”

In accordance with FMCS practice and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the agreement or the substance of the negotiations.

 

## FMCS Issues Joint Statement on Behalf of League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** — John Pinto, Acting Director of the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), issued the following statement today on behalf of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), regarding progress in their ongoing labor contract negotiations affecting 72 member theaters in 29 states, including the District of Columbia:

“The League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity have agreed to announce that their continuing negotiations, conducted under the auspices of the FMCS, have produced progress in the past week, and that, with more work still to be done, they have agreed to extend their current collective bargaining agreement, which expires February 12, to allow time to continue their productive exchange. FMCS will continue to provide assistance during these negotiations.”

As is Agency practice, the FMCS is not releasing additional information regarding meeting dates and locations. In addition, the FMCS will have no further comment at this time regarding the status or substance of the negotiations.

## FMCS Open House Events Draw Crowds for Tours and Demos at New Headquarters

Two FMCS Open House events earlier this month attracted scores of visitors Jan.9 and Jan. 12 to the Agency’s new headquarters for tours of state-of-the-art meeting and conferencing facilities, demonstrations of new technologies, and information on FMCS programs and services.
> 
Great turn-out today at our new @FMCS_USA Headquarters open house! We're excited to share our new space & capabilities with our customers. pic.twitter.com/LDvrGlTHRL

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) January 12, 2017

> 
So far we're having a successful open house! Thanks for coming & if you missed it, visit Thursday 12-4. RSVP at https://t.co/RBYgWh6Dss. pic.twitter.com/oH7mwxJ0Yq

— Allison Beck (@FMCS_ABeck) January 9, 2017

> 
At FMCS’s Open House, Colin Megill of Pol.is demos how Artificial Intelligence can help you find consensus #FMCSFutureatWorkpic.twitter.com/MQQqaJOtTt

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) January 17, 2017

 

 

## FMCS Annual Report For Fiscal Year 2016 Is Online

The FMCS Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2016–a year of transition and accomplishment for the Agency–is now available online.

To access the full text of the report in PDF, click here.

 

## FMCS Again Ranks Among “Best Places to Work” In Federal Government

**WASHINGTON, DC –** The U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) today was again ranked among the top five Federal government’s small agencies as being a “best place to work” in the yearly 2016 government rankings, released by the Partnership for Public Service at a news conference this morning.

In two individual categories within the overall rankings, FMCS received a top-rated, number one ranking among small Federal agencies—for employee “Empowerment” and for “Training and Development.” Throughout the other rating categories, FMCS ranked at or near the top.

“Again this year we are honored to have maintained our high standing in the Partnership for Public Service ratings,” said FMCS Director Allison Beck. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our FMCS employees and supervisors and to their pursuit of excellence in their professional lives and in the fulfillment of our vital mission of helping to resolve workplace conflict.”

Under Director Beck, FMCS two years ago launched a re-organization and re-structuring that emphasized employee engagement, inclusion, and new ways to inspire creativity, teamwork, innovation, and service delivery. As a neutral, dispute resolution agency, a priority for the re-structuring was to ensure the Agency’s culture fully reflected the values that FMCS espouses, both with customers and employees—open communications, transparency, and joint problem-solving, Director Beck said.

The 2016 rankings add to many years of recognition for FMCS as a “best place to work” within the Federal government. FMCS achieved the Partnership’s overall number one ranking in 2015 among all small Federal agencies. Based on previous surveys, FMCS also was the top-ranked “best place to work” among small agencies in 2005 and 2007. The rankings began in 2003, and since 2007 have been conducted annually. FMCS generally has scored among the top five finishers for small agencies in every year that Agency results were available for comparison.

Produced by the Partnership and Deloitte, the Best Places to Work rankings provide critical information to help individual agencies, the Administration, and Congress assess workplace health and performance. The FMCS carefully reviews and analyzes the results of each year’s survey to identify areas where improvements can be made. In addition to overall satisfaction and commitment, the rankings measure employee attitudes on 10 workplace categories, including effective leadership, innovation, support for diversity, work-life balance, and pay.

Agencies are ranked based on the responses of their own employees to the government-wide, Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management. For detail on the FMCS ranking, go to http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/detail/FM00.

Complete 2016 rankings and information about the survey are available at the Partnership for Public Service website at http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/.

## FMCS Honors Labor-Management Cooperation With 2016 Director’s Award for Excellence To American Water and the Utility Workers Union of America

**WASHINGTON, D.C. —** FMCS Director Allison Beck today honored the outstanding leadership of the American Water Works Company, Inc. and the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) as a “shining example” of labor-management cooperation in the United States with the presentation of the FMCS Director’s Award for Excellence in Labor-Management Cooperation.

“Over the years, and in various ways, FMCS has paid tribute to great labor-management partnerships,” Director Beck stated. “This year, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize two very special organizations with the FMCS Director’s Award for Excellence in Labor Management Cooperation.” In bestowing the Agency’s highest award to labor and management, Director Beck cited joint efforts by the company and the union in support of efforts to rebuild the national water infrastructure with public-private partnerships and to improve the skills and safety of American Water employees with training.

“American Water and the Utility Workers Union of America have set a shining example of what a company and its workers can achieve when they choose cooperation over conflict,” Director Beck stated in presenting the FMCS award to American Water CEO Susan Story and UWUA President Mike Langford during an online presentation ceremony.American Water Works, headquartered in New Jersey, is the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company in the country, serving over 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario Canada. The Utility Workers Union of America is the company’s largest union.

Many years of contentious labor-management relations between the company and union changed when American Water’s current CEO assumed her position in 2014 and decided with the UWUA president to explore a more cooperative labor-management approach. “Susan and Mike decided to put the past behind,” Director Beck said. “Today, we celebrate their commitment, their leadership, and some of the remarkable accomplishments they’ve achieved in just two short years.

Joint labor-management efforts between American Water and the UWUA include:

* Participation by American Water and the UWUA in two nationwide, joint labor-management conferences involving the FMCS, the most recent focusing on a “Trust Building Training Program” for conference participants at which the American Water CEO and UWUA president personally renewed their commitment to working together.

* Joint authorship by CEO Story and President Langford of a published letter to government leaders calling on them to jointly tackle the nation’s utility infrastructure crisis with practical and collaborative solutions for “Rebuilding America’s Water Infrastructure with Public-Private Partnerships.”

* Full support from American Water for the Utility Workers’ “Power for America Training Trust Fund (P4A),” which secured a Susan Hayward Department of Labor Grant to improve the skills and safety of American Water employees.

* An American Water Charitable Trust Foundation Awards Grant given to the Union Sportsmen’s (USA) Alliance for Water Conservation Projects to benefit three American Water communities with improved public access to water-based recreational opportunities and enhanced environmental sustainability of existing recreational areas.

* Recognition in 2016 for American Water because of the support of its worker as the only water utility named to Newsweek magazine’s list of 500 of “America’s Top Green Companies.”After citing the American Water-UWUA list of labor-management accomplishments, Director Beck concluded, “We are honored to have worked with you, to have supported your journey thus far, and it will be our great privilege to be there for you in the future,” she said. “Thank you for your leadership, your commitment, and the great example you have set.”

 

 

## Statement by FMCS Director Allison Beck on a Tentative Labor Agreement Between the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Musicians

WASHINGTON, D.C. – FMCS Director Allison Beck issued the following statement today on the announcement of a tentative agreement between the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 72-147:

“The announcement of a tentative agreement between the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Association and the musicians who make it one of the nation’s premier orchestras is indeed music to the ears of music lovers everywhere. I applaud the musicians and orchestra management for their perseverance and their commitment to the artistic excellence of the orchestra and the collective bargaining process during extremely difficult negotiations,” Director Beck said. “Orchestra management and musicians have come together and demonstrated their devotion to their community, their supporters, and their art. The FMCS is honored to have played a small role in assisting the orchestra and its outstanding musicians in resolving the issues that divided them.”

Labor conflicts related to the financial stresses that some orchestras, operas, and performing arts institutions are facing have prompted a program of special training for FMCS mediators across the country. “At FMCS, our goal is to ensure that our skilled, professional mediators are armed with the most current knowledge, information, and innovative solutions in these increasingly difficult and more frequent disputes,” Director Beck said.

Beck also praised the efforts of FMCS Commissioners Dave Renfro and Rich Giacolone, who along with the Director, assisted the parties in Fort Worth. “They deserve enormous credit for their efforts in helping the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.”

In accordance with FMCS practice and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the tentative agreement or the substance of the negotiations.

## FMCS Director Allison Beck Statement on New Contract Between Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Musicians

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – FMCS Director Allison Beck issued the following statement today on the announcement of a new contract between the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 60-471:

“For music lovers in Pittsburgh and around the world, the agreement between the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and its world class musicians is welcome news. These were extremely difficult negotiations, and I commend the musicians and orchestra management for their perseverance and their commitment to the collective bargaining process,” Director Beck said. “We are especially pleased that the Orchestra’s remaining performance season will be restored, that a European concert tour will now go forward, and that one of America’s top-tier symphonies will be thrilling audiences again.

Labor conflicts related to the financial stresses that some orchestras, operas, and performing arts institutions are facing have prompted a program of special training for FMCS mediators across the country. “At FMCS, our goal is to ensure that our skilled, professional mediators are armed with the most current knowledge, information, and innovative solutions in these often difficult disputes,” Director Beck said.

Director Beck also praised the efforts of FMCS Commissioners Richard Giacolone and Jack Yoedt, who together oversaw the orchestra negotiations in Pittsburgh. “They deserve enormous credit for their efforts in helping the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. They put in many long hours and worked diligently to find creative approaches to help the parties resolve the issues that divided them.”

In accordance with FMCS practice and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the agreement or the substance of the negotiations.

## FMCS Statement on Tentative Agreement In Actors’ Equity and Off-Broadway League Contract Talks

FMCS Director Allison Beck issued the following statement today on the announcement of a tentative agreement between Actors’ Equity and the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers, covering six major, nonprofit theatrical companies and about 100 commercial producers:

“This tentative agreement is a great relief for theatre lovers everywhere and means that the show will go on in Off-Broadway venues. The parties worked through some extremely complex issues in these lengthy and difficult negotiations. At FMCS, we are especially grateful to the representatives of Actors’ Equity and the Off-Broadway League for their patience, their perseverance, and their commitment to the process of collective bargaining.”

“I also want to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Javier Ramirez, FMCS Director of Field Programs and Innovation and New York-based Commissioner David Thaler,” she said. “They worked around the clock, putting in many long hours, to make certain these negotiations reached a positive outcome for the parties involved.”

In accordance with FMCS practice and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the agreement or the substance of the negotiations.

## FMCS Mediation Earns Praise in St. Louis Labor Settlement

FMCS mediation played a key role in assisting parties involved in St. Louis, MO grocery negotiations reach a settlement that avoided a potential strike, according to local news coverage. UFCW Local 655 President David Cook credited FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh for his assistance in the labor negotiations between UFCW and  the St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc.,  covering some 4,000 employees at 52 stores in the metropolitan area.  The Deputy Director led a team of FMCS mediators that included  FMCS Regional Director Barbara Rumph and FMCS Commissioners Roland Lewis and Glen Reed from the Agency’s St Louis office.

For local news coverage, click here.

## The FMCS Headquarters Has Moved to a New Location!

The headquarters of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has a new address.  The headquarters has moved to One Independence Square, 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20427.
> 
It's official! @FMCS_USA has a new headquarters address. We are now located at One Independence Square 250 E ST, SW Washington, DC 20427 pic.twitter.com/8qIIr2aXB8

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) October 24, 2016

## FMCS Announces 2016 Grants For Innovative Labor-Management Partnerships

**WASHINGTON, D.C. –** FMCS Director Allison Beck today announced the award of three grants to assist community, sectoral and industry labor-management partnerships address 21st century workplace challenges in hiring and retaining the next generation of workers, enhancing workers’ skills and safety, and adapting to the needs of businesses and workers in the transitioning economy.

“I am happy to announce the successful completion of our FY 2016 FMCS grants award cycle, which has yielded three impressive grant recipients, selected from a highly competitive field of applicants,” Ms. Beck stated. The three labor-management grants total $514,486 in available funds out of nearly $3 million in proposals submitted.

This year’s grantees are:

• **Finishing Trades Institute of the Mid-Atlantic Region (FTI MAR), Philadelphia, PA ($250,000)**The highly regarded FTI MAR labor-management partnership will receive funding for a new initiative designed to attract, hire, and retain the next generation of workers in the construction industry, where there is a significant shortage of highly skilled workers. Uniquely, this program will develop both hard and soft skills among high school graduates and provide important opportunities for continuing education in post-secondary degree programs at institutions of higher learning. Partnering with two colleges on programming and curriculum development, FTI MAR will guide newly hired workers in the construction industry finishing trades from high school to a bachelor’s and master’s degree, providing program participants with advanced opportunities in construction management, architecture, and organizational design.

**• SEIU Healthcare NW – Health Benefits Trust, Seattle, WA ($150,827)**Due to well-documented demographic changes in the U.S., there is a dramatically increasing need for skilled Home Care Workers (HCWs) to care for the elderly and disabled in their homes. Providing care in the home not only saves on hospital and nursing home costs, but also improves the quality of life of this growing population. One issue that has not been addressed in the context of this widely expanding sector of the economy, however, is the increased risk of on-the-job injuries to individual HCWs. Unlike workers in other industries, such as manufacturing, construction, or facility-based health care delivery, Home Care Workers lack access to standard safety equipment. To the extent such equipment is available, it currently depends entirely on the elderly or disabled client to drive the requisition process and HCWs are therefore at increased risk for on-the-job injury. FMCS seed money will permit the creation of a Labor-Management Committee to evaluate the potential of worker-carried mobile assistive devices in a “safety toolkit” that can easily be carried into clients’ homes by the HCW. The project will produce much-needed evidence about the injury reduction potential of the portable toolkit and serve as foundation for developing best practices in HCW safety. Results will be shared with key stakeholders in Washington State’s home care system as well as with a national audience to help build awareness, develop best practices, and prevent on-the-job injuries in home care.

**• Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ ($113,659)**The New Jersey K-12 Public School Labor-Management Committee (the “Committee” or “LMC”) will receive a grant to advance student performance, teacher retention, and overall educational quality. Evidence has shown that a collaborative, partnership approach is a cornerstone of excellence in teaching and learning. FMCS seed money will allow the Committee to broaden and deepen its reach by regularly convening an innovative Inter-District Learning Network to facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices for improving educational outcomes. In addition, the establishment of a website and annual state-wide information and learning exchange will further support this network of districts, administrators, and educators. The Committee, aided by researchers from Rutgers University, will evaluate and deliver a report on the impact of increased labor-management collaboration on student performance, teacher retention, and overall educational quality at the district and local school level.

The FMCS grants program, which began in 1981 under the authority of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (PL 95-524), has funded projects designed to improve communications, strategic planning, recruitment, industry changes, and economic development by encouraging cooperative efforts among labor, management, and communities to jointly address issues such as health, safety, employee training, and the resolution of workplace disputes.

For a PDF version of the FMCS announcement, click here.

## FMCS Director Allison Beck Takes Future@Work Discussion to Cornell University as Neutral-In-Residence

FMCS Director Allison Beck meets with Cornell University faculty members and students this week as she takes part in the Neutral-in-Residence program in the university’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. On the list of Future@Work topics for discussion with students and faculty are labor-management issues arising from the new workplaces of the 21st Century and the on-demand economy, where workplaces may be virtual and workers may not be “employees.”
> 
At @cornellilr with professor David Lipsky in Managing & Resolving Conflict class. Neutral-in-Residence Program visit off to a great start! pic.twitter.com/0RkcMUyioO

— Allison Beck (@FMCS_ABeck) October 18, 2016

Connect with FMCS on Twitter,Facebook and YouTube!

 

## FMCS Director Allison Beck Addresses Maine LERA Chapter on Future@Work Issues and Innovation

Advances in science and technology are bringing enormous changes to workplaces in the 21st century with accompanying challenges to labor and management. FMCS Director Allison Beck today outlined FMCS services and programs to help unions and employers navigate the on-demand services and platform-based workplaces of the Internet-enabled economy.
> 
FMCS Director Allison Beck in Portland ME @LERAssn.to talk about l-m issues in the #FMCSFutureAtwork. Awesome technology and amazing change! https://t.co/8AW5CMo985

— FMCS_USA (@FMCS_USA) September 30, 2016

> 
Thanks to Maine LERA today for opp to talk about FMCS innovation for 21st century! FMCS is creating solutions for new challenges! pic.twitter.com/gxBNFWRgjS

— Allison Beck (@FMCS_ABeck) September 30, 2016

 

Connect with FMCS on Twitter,Facebook and YouTube!

## FMCS Director Promotes Labor-Management Cooperation as Key to Future@Work for Alabama LERA Members

Speaking to the Alabama chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association  (LERA), FMCS Director Allison Beck emphasized the benefits of labor-management partnership in addressing emerging workplace issues in the 21st century “on-demand” economy, powered by Internet platforms that connect customers to services.

 

Follow FMCS on Facebook and Twitter!

 

## Coverage of the FMCS Future@Work Labor-Management Conference

Three days of successful workshops, expert speakers and inspiring dialogue at the FMCS 2016 National Labor-Management Conference in Chicago concluded Friday, August 19, with a morning plenary panel discussion titled “NLRB Trends in the Future@Work: The View from All Sides.” The distinguished panel members included: Mark Gaston Pearce, Chairman, NLRB; and Richard F. Griffin, Jr., General Counsel, NLRB. Lynn Rhinehart, General Counsel, AFL-CIO; and Randel K. Johnson, Senior Vice President, Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, served as moderators with introductions by FMCS Director Allison Beck. NLRB Member Philip A. Miscimarra, appeared via pre-recorded video.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks to Future@Work attendees in first-day session.

Jason Dorsey, Chief Strategy Officer and Millennials Researcher at The Center for Generational Kinetics, wrapped up the Conference with a plenary address titled “Recruiting and Retaining the Next Generation of Workers,” introduced by Lu-Ann Glaser, FMCS Manager of National Programs and Initiatives.

FMCS Director Allison Beck delivered summary remarks to close the conference.

Bernard J. Tyson, Chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, speaks on change and technolog to Future@Work first-day attendees.

The awesome line up of conference speakers and presenters began Wednesday with remarks from Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, Jorge Ramirez, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor; and a keynote speech by Bernard Tyson, CEO and Chairman of Kaiser Permanente, who spoke on the prospect of technological change and a coming “Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Other featured speakers and presenters during the conference included national labor-management and new economy leaders, such as Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO; Susan N. Story, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Water; Christina Stembel, Founder and CEO Farmgirl Flowers, Thomas Kochan, George Maverick Bunker Professor of Management and Co-Director, MIT Sloan Institute for Work and Employment Research; Wilma B. Liebman, Former Chairman, National Labor Relations Board; and Dan Yager, President and CEO of the HR Policy Association, along with many others.

An inspiring pre-conference “Partnership Day” program on Tuesday, led by former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich with panel discussions by labor and management representatives on successful partnerships between unions and major employers around the country, set the stage for the three-day FMCS gathering.

Also see FMCS Director Says Working Together Is Key to Future@Work

Also see Labor and Management Look Ahead at Federal Sector Labor Relations at FMCS Future@Work Conference.

Also see Telework a Hot Topic for Federal Labor-Management Discussion at FMCS Future@Work Conference.

Connect with FMCS for coverage of Conference events on Twitter,Facebook and YouTube!

Scroll down to check out the Conference coverage on Facebook and Twitter!

Scroll down for Conference dialogue on Twitter!

Tweets about #FMCSFutureAtWork 

## At FMCS Future@Work Conference, Panel Spotlights Success of FMCS Grants Program

An $80,000 labor-management partnership grant in 2011 from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and a group of some 60 employers gave an important boost to the IAMAW Local 701 Training Center in Carol Stream, IL. The grant money helped create a state-of-the-art automotive apprenticeship training program. In succeeding years, the number of employers participating in the apprenticeship training program has grown from 60 to more than 500; more than 400 courses have been taught, and the program is still growing.

For coverage of the FMCS-funded project and the Future@Work Conference panel discussion in the IAMAW newsletter, click here.

The 2011 FMCS labor-management grants spotlighted in the Future@Work Conference panel discussion was just one of the grants awarded that year.  The FMCS grants program funds a number of partnership grants applications, depending on funding availability, each fiscal year.  For information on the FMCS grants program, click here.

## FMCS Director Says Working Together is Key to the Future@Work

In closing remarks at the FMCS Future@Work National Labor-Management Conference, FMCS Director Allison Beck pointed to the new problem-solving tools and techniques highlighted by speakers and presenters at the Conference that can help unions and employers find their way through complex new workplace issues of the 21st century.

FMCS Director Allison Beck at Future@Work conference conclusion

In summing up the three days of expert speakers, more than 70 workshops and informal dialogue among attendees and participants at the FMCS national conference, Director Beck told the more than 1,000 attendees that a main point emerging from the program was, “In this new economy–people have to work together and trust each other.“

“Working together,” she told attendees, “It’s possible to find common ground, to find solutions. And there are so many new tools and techniques to help you do that. None of them are complicated.

“Sometimes they mean learning a fact–like learning that robots can actually increase jobs, not eliminate them,” she said.“Sometimes they mean remembering history–like recalling that the challenges of the gig economy are really not new, that our colleagues in industries as different as construction and performing arts solved them decades ago.

“And, sometimes they mean learning some science, that what was once an esoteric science about brain function is fundamental to the success of our organizations” she said.

Concluding, she declared, “We can fix our economy and make our country stronger—if labor and management work together: communicate and compromise, sacrifice and listen, find common ground, and use common sense for the common good.”

“And, if you stumble,” she told the audience of labor and management representatives, “I promise you that FMCS will be there to get you back on track.”

For more Future@Work coverage, click here. 

## Telework a Hot Topic for Federal Labor-Management Discussion at FMCS Future@Work Conference

Federal sector labor and management leaders from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the General Services Administration shared knowledge and their experiences with designing and implementing expanded telework programs in a broad-ranging panel discussion that was among the more than 70 workshop sessions at the recently concluded FMCS Future@Work Conference in Chicago.

Topics included opportunities for cost savings, performance improvement, and employee engagement. The Federal panelists also looked at how to sustain workplace connections and collaborations for teleworkers with their co-workers, and how to hold teleworkers accountable for their work.

Julia Akins Clark, Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) General Counsel, introduced the panel, which included: William R. Dougan, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) President; Charles Hardy, GSA Chief Workplace Officer; Ron La Due Lake, GAO Employees Organization; Jackie Nowicki, GAO Education, Workforce and Income Security Team Director; Shamar Cowan, GAO Chief Negotiator; and Greg Weddle, FLRA Regional Attorney. Marsha Ross-Jackson, Assistant Dean for Student Professional Development, Executive Director of the Institute for Law and the Workplace, moderated the discussion.

For news coverage of the Future@Work workshop “Making Telework Work: Best Practices for Sustaining High Performance and Customer/Employee Satisfaction,” click here.

For coverage of the FMCS Future@Work Conference, click here. 

## Labor and Management Look Ahead at Federal Sector Labor Relations at FMCS Future@Work Conference

In a program session at the FMCS Future@Work Conference in Chicago this week, Federal sector union leaders and Acting OPM Director Beth Cobert acknowledged improved labor relations in many Federal agencies, but could not predict what the future may hold with a change in Administrations.

OPM Acting Director Beth Cobert engages NFFE President William Dougan during panel discussion

To read news coverage of what David Cox, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees; Greg Junemann, president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers;Tony Reardon, national president of the National Treasury Employees Union; Bill Dougan, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees; and OPM’s Beth Cobert told FMCS conference attendees, click here. 

For more coverage of the FMCS Future@Work conference, click here.

## With FMCS Assistance, Joffrey Ballet and Dancers Reach Five-Year Agreement

With assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the New York City-based Joffrey Ballet has reached a new five-year contract for its company of 41 dancers, represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). According to a recent announcement of the contract by the Ballet, the agreement is effective immediately and extends through the 2020-2021 season.

Read news coverage of the agreement and negotiation here.

## FMCS National Labor-Management Conference – Sold Out!

**The FMCS 2016 National Labor-Management Conference is sold out! To get your name on the Conference wait list:  Register Now!  The FMCS 2016 National Labor-Management Conference August 17-19 at the Chicago Hyatt Regency Hotel.  Check out the complete conference program for the list of nationally known keynoters and more than 70 workshops !

Trends, Tools, Techniques for Partnering in the New Economy

Hyatt Regency –- Chicago -– August 17-19, 2016

Registration is now open for the FMCS 2016 National Labor-Management Conference in Chicago! Join us at the Chicago Hyatt Regency Hotel to prepare for the Future@Work!

For program and registration information, click here! Or check out the complete conference program brochure! Don’t miss this opportunity to:
                                      - Learn  from distinguished labor, management, and new economy thought leaders
                                      - Problem Solve  at workshops focused on actual situations and practical solutions
                                      - Network  with labor relations and workplace professionals from around the country and the world
                                      - Prepare  your organization for the future with advice from experts who are forging paths to partnership and organizational success

The FMCS 2016 National Labor-Management Conference will highlight and explore current labor-management successes and future solutions. Join us during the August 16th pre-conference for an examination of longstanding successful labor-management partnerships. Then from August 17-19, choose from more than 70 workshops, panels, and plenary sessions on challenges and opportunities in the private, public, and federal sectors, such as:
                                      - Bargaining Trends  in new media, education, healthcare, performing arts
                                      - Innovative Solutions  for health care and pension benefits
                                      - Recruitment and Retention  of Millennials and Alphas
                                      - Partnering in the New economy  by building on the traditional LMC framework
                                      - The Neuroscience of Conflict  exploring why and how we act to improve our approach
                                      - Innovative and Expedited Bargaining Processes  including the Affinity Model of Collaborative Bargaining –  an FMCS pioneered process that has a proven track record of success in completing even the most complex economic bargaining in hours versus days, weeks, or months!

**You won’t want to miss these distinguished speakers and outstanding experts!**

**Featured Speakers include** national labor-management and new economy leaders, such as Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO; Susan N. Story, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Water; Jason Dorsey, International Expert on Generational Dynamics, Millennials, and Generation I; Richard F. Griffin, Jr., General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board; Christina Stembel, Founder and CEO Farmgirl Flowers, Thomas Kochan, George Maverick Bunker Professor of Management and Co-Director, MIT Sloan Institute for Work and Employment Research; Wilma B. Liebman, Former Chairman, National Labor Relations Board; and Jorge Ramirez, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor. Invited speakers include William Clay “Bill” Ford, Jr., Executive Chairman of the Ford Motor Company; and Thomas Perez, U.S. Secretary of Labor and many more!

**Check out the conference program brochure for a complete list of nationally known speakers and more than 70 workshops! For more information on the great programs being lined up as well as registration for the conference, please visit the****FMCS National Labor Management Conference Website****.**

 

## FMCS Director Allison Beck Hosts Conversation on the Future@Work at FDR Training Town Hall

In an increasingly competitive and fast-moving environment where new technologies and business models are disrupting nearly every sector of the U.S. economy, the FMCS continues to develop innovative new services to minimize and prevent workplace conflict. With that reality in mind, FMCS Director Allison Beck today hosted a Town Hall Conversation at the Federal Dispute Resolution Training Conference in New Orleans, LA to help attendees better understand the FMCS resources available to help parties develop and sustain good labor-management relationships.

Follow Allison Beck on Twitter and view social posts from the town hall.

 

FMCS Director Allison Beck takes questions during FDR Training Town Hall with FMCS EEO Director Denise McKenney.

 

 FMCS Supports “Progress Through Partnership” at Florida Labor-Management Conference
The four-day Florida Labor Management Conference in St. Petersburg Beach ends on a high note with strong support from FMCS mediators promoting the conference theme of Progress Through Partnership and taking part in the program that reached a  big audience of union and employer representatives.

Click here for a Twitter post from the conference.  Follow the FMCS on Twitter here.  
Statement by FMCS Director Allison Beck On the Tentative Agreement in Southern California Supermarket Negotiations
FMCS Director Allison Beck issued the following statement today on the announcement of a tentative agreement between southern California grocery workers and the Ralphs and Albertsons supermarket chains, affecting approximately 50,000 employees:

“This tentative agreement represents the cumulative effort of many people and is the product of very hard work by the negotiators from both sides. I want to commend the negotiating teams for both the UFCW and the employers for their patience, their perseverance, and their commitment to the process of collective bargaining in working out their differences. It is a tribute to their efforts, to collective bargaining, and to the process of mediation that this positive outcome has been achieved and a possible work stoppage affecting thousands of families has been avoided.

“With this positive result, I also want to commend the work of FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh and Commissioner Isael Hermosillo, who assisted the negotiators for the UFCW and the supermarkets in resolving their differences. These were long and difficult bargaining sessions, and through the efforts of our FMCS mediators, the parties stayed at the table and made difficult choices that resulted in today’s agreement.

“I thank the parties for their cooperation with FMCS mediators, and we are pleased at this successful result.”

In accordance with FMCS practices and consistent with the requirements of mediator confidentiality, FMCS will have no further comment on the details of the agreement or the substance of the negotiations.
FMCS Statement on Negotiations Between New York’s Con Edison And the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2
**WASHINGTON, DC—**Allison Beck, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), issued the following statement on the announcement that an agreement had been reached in negotiations between New York’s Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) and the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2:

“Under the auspices of Federal mediators, representatives from Con Edison and UWUA Local 1-2 were able to resolve their differences on major issues, such as wages and health care, which required long hours and intensive efforts at the bargaining table. Thanks to their efforts, Con Edison operations will continue without disruption as will the lives of Con Edison workers, their families, and Con Edison customers. I want to commend the parties for their commitment to resolving their differences at the bargaining table through the process of collective bargaining and to thank them also for their professionalism and for their cooperation with our mediators throughout a difficult and stressful process,” Ms. Beck stated.

“With this successful outcome, I also want to commend the work of the FMCS mediators who assisted the parties in reaching their agreement— Commissioners Ralph Quattrocchi and William Domini. I understand that the skills, expertise, resourcefulness and hard work by our mediators were essential ingredients in helping these parties resolve the complex issues that divided them. This announcement is certainly a tribute to them and to their outstanding efforts. ”

The agreement still must be ratified by the union and approved by the Con Edison Board of Trustees.

 
FMCS Statement on Tentative Agreement Between Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Massachusetts Nurses Association
**WASHINGTON, DC—**Allison Beck, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), issued the following statement today on the announcement that a tentative agreement had been reached in negotiations between Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston, MA and the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), averting a strike by approximately 3,300 care-givers at the hospital planned for Monday, June 27.

“These were difficult and very lengthy negotiations for the hospital and union representatives, involving a number of very complex issues. Thanks to the perseverance and hard work of the negotiating teams, it appears that an historic work stoppage has been averted at this vital health care facility and operations will resume on Monday without disruption,” Ms. Beck stated.

In addition to recognizing the work of the negotiating teams, Ms. Beck also commended FMCS Commissioner Martin Callaghan for his role in assisting the parties. “With only a few days remaining before their deadline, Commissioner Callaghan engaged the parties in an intensified, successful mediation effort. It was clear that both sides were looking for a way to bridge the differences but needed help. Commissioner Callaghan devoted himself through many days, long hours and late night sessions assisting the parties in the efforts to find common ground. I commend Commissioner Callaghan for his extraordinary work, and we extend our thanks to the parties for their cooperation with the FMCS.”
FMCS Extends Deadline for Labor-Management Grants; Applications Now Due June 30, 2016
**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – The application deadline for a labor-management grant from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) has been extended to June 30, 2016 to accommodate the late expressions of interest among many labor-management parties that still wish to apply.

The FMCS grants program offers labor-management applicants the opportunity to launch an innovative program with FMCS seed money. With new challenges of the 21st century workplace testing the bonds of traditional labor-management partnerships, FMCS is looking for proposals that address the transitioning workplace, hiring and retaining new generations of workers, and rapidly advancing technology-based work structures.

FMCS Director Allison Beck has explained the special emphasis on such proposals this year: “Dramatic shifts in labor market trends, combined with significant labor-management reform activity occurring across many industries and at the city, state, and regional level, require broad, creative and collaborative approaches to workplace problems.”

The new deadline for applications offers would-be applicants an additional month to file. FMCS grants will be awarded in amounts from $50,000 to $400,000, which is a departure from the previous funding cap of $125,000 for geographic or industry-wide committees.

Parties with well-qualified proposals should not assume that there will be a significantly larger funding pool next year! Any future increase in grant funding is entirely dependent on the FY 2017 Congressional appropriations process.

Detailed information and application training videos are available at this link. For additional information, contact the FMCS Grants Office at 202-606-8181.
Statement by FMCS Director Allison Beck On Tentative Agreement in Verizon-CWA-IBEW Talks
**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – Following the announcement of an agreement in principle in Verizon-CWA-IBEW talks, union officials praised Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director Allison Beck and other officials who assisted in the negotiations.

IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson praised officials. “I offer my deep gratitude to Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director Allison Beck for their efforts to help us reach a fair and mutually beneficial agreement that gets our members back on the job,” he said in a statement.

Chris Shelton, President of the Communications Workers of America, also praised the efforts of federal mediators. “CWA appreciates the persistence and dedication of Secretary Perez, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director Allison Beck and their entire teams,” he said in a CWA news release.

In his statement, announcing the tentative agreement, Labor Secretary Perez said, “This tentative resolution is a testament to the power of collective bargaining. I commend the leadership of Verizon, CWA, and IBEW for their commitment to resolving these difficult issues in the spirit of constructive engagement.”

FMCS Director Allison Beck issued the following statement on the announcement today: “We appreciate the hard work and perseverance of all the parties—CWA, IBEW and Verizon – and the remarkable leadership Secretary of Labor Tom Perez brought to these negotiations. The parties worked around the clock for nearly two weeks to narrow their differences and reach a resolution that addressed the interests of both sides. In the months ahead, FMCS stands ready to help the parties achieve their goal of improved labor-management relations as the best means for assuring the future success of Verizon and its workforce.“
Guthrie Corning Hospital Staff Approve New Contract with FMCS Assistance
Employees of Guthrie Corning Hospital represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199 in Corning, NY ratified a new, two-year labor contract this week, reached with the assistance of FMCS Commissioner Scott Montani. The contract covers 535 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical technologists and technicians, service, maintenance and clerical employees who are part of 1199 SEIU.

According to news media accounts, the negotiations, which began March 11, included 14 all-day bargaining sessions with Commissioner Montani. The contract was set to expire at midnight Saturday, April 30.

For local news coverage, click this link.
Assisted by a Federal Mediator, Janitors in Los Angeles Reach New Contract, Avoiding Possible Strike
Janitors  represented by Service Employees International Union United Service Workers West in Los Angeles and other California locations ratified a new labor contract this week, reached with the last–minute assistance of FMCS Commissioner Isael Hermosillo, avoiding a possible strike by approximately 20,000 covered employees.

According to news media accounts,  building workers in Southern California and in the San Francisco Bay Area approved a new deal reached in weekend negotiations that concluded in the early morning hours of May 2.  Negotiators were helped to the finish line by Commissioner Hermosillo.  The janitors had voted to strike if no deal was reached.

For local news coverage, click here. 

 
Federal Mediator Assists in Ending Strike by Non-Tenure-Track Faculty at University of Illinois
After meeting for two days with FMCS Commissioner Conrad Bowling, representatives for the University of Illinois and Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition Local 6546 reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract, ending a two-day old work stoppage by the faculty at the Urbana-Champaign campus that was to have resumed May 2.  Negotiators met in federally mediated discussions led by Commissioner Bowling all day Friday and Saturday.

For local news coverage, click here. 
With Mediator Help, Commuter Bus Strike Is Avoided in San Diego Area
With the help from FMCS Commissioner Isael Hermosillo, who worked with the parties around the clock in a difficult, overnight negotiation,  drivers and a San Diego-area bus company avoided a possible strike that could have had dire consequences for local commuters.

The San Diego-area transit district had issued a warning last week that a strike could occur at any time, and that bus riders should be prepared to manage without bus service.

However, with assistance from a federal mediator, Teamsters Local 542, representing some 300 drivers, and First Transit, which operates buses in the district, were able to reach a tentative agreement after a lengthy bargaining session.  The drivers had been working without a contract since June 30.

In a statement issued to the news media,  First Transit spokesman Jay Brock said, “We would like to recognize the assistance of the federal mediator (Commissioner Hermosillo), and the work of the bargaining committees for both sides in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement to continue service for NCTD customers.

For local news coverage, click here. 
Las Cruces School Bus Drivers, STS-NM Avert Strike with FMCS Aid
American Federation of Teachers NM, Las Cruces Transportation Federation Local 6341, representing Las Cruces Public School bus drivers, and STS of New Mexico on April 13 announced a tentative deal averting a possible strike. With help from FMCS mediator Dennis Teel, the parties completed more than five hours of negotiations and emerged with a tentative agreement. While details of the agreement are unavailable at this time, the parties publicly thanked Commissioner Teel for his efforts. The agreement is subject to a ratification vote.

For local news coverage, click here.
Praise for Federal Mediation at St. Cloud from VA Secretary McDonald
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald visited the St. Cloud VA Medical Center Friday, and met with employee union leaders who until recently were in Federal mediation with management. Led by FMCS mediators, representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and managers at the St. Cloud Medical Center jointly participated in intensive training to improve workplace cooperation and delivery of patient care at the facility. Secretary McDonald credited working with the mediators for the improved situation at St. Cloud.

For local news coverage, click here.
Commissioner Ramona Buck to Serve as Chair of Federal Interagency Working Group on ADR
Effective March 16, 2016, FMCS Commissioner Ramona Buck was named the new Chair of the Federal government’s Interagency ADR Working Group (IADRWG), which assists Federal agencies in developing and implementing ADR programs.

In her new role, Commissioner Buck will provide leadership to ADR professionals in agencies across the Federal government.  “I am honored to hold this position and hope to collaborate with the other IADRWG agencies to promote and support ADR processes and programs throughout the Federal government,” she said.

Operating within the U.S. Department of Justice, the Interagency ADR Working Group was established by Presidential Memorandum dated May 1, 1998, to assist Federal agencies in developing and implementing ADR programs. The Working Group’s members are ADR professionals in agencies across the Federal government. The President appointed the Attorney General as the leader of the Interagency Working Group, which functions as the central forum and resource for information about the Federal government’s use of ADR.

The IADRWG  advances the use of ADR through:
- Coordination of multi-agency initiatives
- Promotion of best practices and programs
- Dissemination of policy and guidance

To accomplish the tasks of the Working Group, discrete Sections operate within the Working Group to assist Federal agencies in creating ADR programs in specific subject matter areas. These Sections are:
- Workplace Conflict Management
- Contracts and Procurement
- Administrative Enforcement and Regulatory Process
- Litigation

The Working Group has operated primarily through these Sections to provide technical assistance and guidance on best practices in ADR program development. These Sections regularly conduct training sessions, meetings, and colloquia on all aspects of ADR.

Working with the IADRWG, Commissioner Buck has been leading the group’s Outreach subcommittee since 2012 and has led efforts to re-establish the IADRWG newsletter, which is posted on the ADR.gov website and hosted by the U.S. Justice Department.
FMCS Training in ADR and Leadership Credited in FEB Report
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)  has released a 2015 report on Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) nationwide, detailing FEB program successes, which credited a joint training program with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) in providing leadership and ADR training to local FEBs.  Under a 2014 memorandum of understanding between the FMCS and OPM, the FMCS provides  mediation training services for the FEB programs.  Under the agreement, the FMCS manages administrative processes, including registration for the trainings, and the FEBs assist with advertising and identifying training space.

After a year of implementation, more than 96 percent of the training participants agreed that the training addressed important aspects of their needs, and slightly  less than 100 percent were satisfied with the quality of the course, according to the OPM report.  In addition, 88 percent of the FEB coordinators had a very good experience utilizing the revised FMCS training process.

Overall, during FY 2015, the FEB-sponsored ADR programs successfully settled 400 cases, resulting in an estimated cost avoidance of more than $18.9 million, according to the OPM report.

To access the full OPM document, click here. 
With Assistance from FMCS, Five-Month Lockout Ends at Illinois Facility
With help from FMCS mediator Conrad Bowling, unions representing workers at the Clifford-Jacobs facility north of Champaign, IL and the employer have reached an agreement to end a five-month lockout.  The four-year agreement covers workers at the plant represented by  the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 601, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, Local 1626 and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 1000.

For local news coverage, click here. 
Labor and Management at St. Cloud VA Facility Issue Progress Report on Joint Training
Led by FMCS mediators, representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and managers at the St. Cloud Veterans Hospital have jointly participated in intensive training exercises, classroom-style instruction and facilitated discussions with the joint goal of delivering quality care to veterans at the facility through collaborative and cooperative efforts and joint problem solving.

Known as relationship-by-objective (RBO) training, the specialized instruction provided by FMCS is designed to reduce labor-management conflict and to improve cooperation through increased levels of trust, respect and understanding among the parties involved. RBO training is one of the services provided by FMCS to unionized workplaces nationwide in response to a joint request from labor and management. 

Labor and management representatives issued the following joint statement at the conclusion of the training: 

St. Cloud VA union and management officials have jointly developed several objectives to help rekindle a productive and cooperative working relationship. 

“Relationship by Objective was beneficial to the organization, and we’ve seen real and positive change, ” said Darlene Voltin, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Commissioner. 

During two focused sessions, the AFGE Local 390 and VA management team developed and agreed on a set of objectives focused on returning trust and respect to the labor-management relationship, said Voltin.

The objectives developed include increased labor-management training, enhanced employee recognition, a focused effort to jointly assess and utilize employee feedback, improved communication throughout the organization, and an emphasis on pre-decisional collaboration.

For each objective area, action plans have been established and will be pursued over the coming year. Periodic assessments are planned to ensure the agreed upon actions are achieved. FMCS will continue to advise and mentor the St. Cloud VA team. 

“Everyone at the St. Cloud VA is tremendously proud of the care and service provided to our Veterans, and a good working relationship is important to achieving our mission,” said AFGE Local 390 President Shirley Parker Blommel.

“Ensuring a quality work environment for our employees is critical to taking care of Veterans,” said St. Cloud VA Director Barry Bahl.

For local news coverage, click here.

 
FMCS Labor-Management Grants Program Accepts Applications for FY 2016
**WASHINGTON, D.C.–** Starting March 1, 2016, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is accepting labor-management grants applications for fiscal year 2016 focused on the 21st century economy and its rapidly evolving workplaces. While the Agency will consider applications from plant-level committees, the FMCS especially encourages applications from area-wide, industry or sectoral joint labor-management committees confronting specific, definable problems for which they have developed clear, innovative, and measurable long-term solutions.

FMCS Director Allison Beck urges business and labor to submit proposals that address the transitioning workplace, hiring and retaining new generations of workers, and rapidly advancing technology-based work structures. “Dramatic shifts in labor market trends, coupled with the fact that significant labor-management reform activity is taking place across industries and at the city, state, and regional level, cry out for area-wide or industry-wide collaborative approaches to workplace problems,” Ms. Beck said.

“In this economy,” Ms. Beck observed, “broad partnerships are in the best position to improve job security, skills, and working conditions for an increasingly mobile workforce, to achieve consensus on standards and organizational effectiveness in new sectors of the economy, and to enhance economic development and competitiveness for entire communities.”

The FMCS grants program has a record of proven success in building labor-management cooperation, encouraging innovative solutions, and disseminating “best practices.” Since its beginning in 1981, Ms. Beck said, “The FMCS grants program has been an important tool for advancing the basic mission of this Agency, which is to encourage cooperative, problem-solving labor-management relationships as the best means for producing innovation, competitiveness, productivity and job growth.”

Under the terms of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act, area or industry-wide applicants must include, among their participants, an employer and the collective bargaining representative of its employees. As long as this threshold requirement is met, area or industry-wide committees may also include community organizations, state and local government entities and employers whose employees are not represented by a labor organization.

FMCS grants in 2016 will be awarded in amounts from $50,000 up to $400,000. Applications may be submitted until May 31, 2016. Prospective grant applicants are reminded that no grant funding may be used for training, facilitation, or other services available through FMCS appropriated programs. Detailed information about how to apply is available at this link, where prospective grant applicants can also access three training videos to assist them in preparing their grant applications. If, after reviewing these materials, parties have additional questions, they may contact the FMCS Grants Office at 202-606-8181.

For a PDF version of this news release, click here.
Save the Date for the FMCS 2016 National Labor-Management Conference!
FMCS is pleased to announce the return of the highly acclaimed FMCS National Labor- Management Conference August 17-19, 2016! For years, this biennial conference was *****the*****place for labor relations practitioners to get the most up-to-date information about sectoral trends, practical bargaining tools, and broad networking opportunities. Today, new technologies and business models are fundamentally changing nearly every sector of the economy. Bringing together all the players in the new economy is more important than ever.

This year’s conference will feature a high-level pre-conference program on longstanding successful partnerships, such as Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, and include more than 60 workshops, panels, and plenary sessions focusing on workplace challenges in the private, public and federal sectors. Practitioners, parties, and experts will share their insights, as well as practical tools and techniques for addressing:
- Bargaining challenges in new media, education, health care, performing arts
- Innovative solutions for health care and pension benefits bargaining
- Millennials and Alphas – recruiting and retaining the next generation
- Partnering in the new economy – LMCs and beyond
- Your brain in conflict – it’s all about the neuroscience
- Innovative, expedited bargaining techniques

FMCS is ready for the Future@Work! In the past year, we’ve restructured and revamped our services to help you navigate the evolving economy. Join us at the 2016 FMCS National Labor Management conference to master the trends, tools, and techniques you will need to succeed.

See you in Chicago!

 

 
Federal Mediator Helps Teachers Union, Lake Villa School Board Reach Tentative Agreement
The Lake Villa (IL) Federation of Teachers and District 41 board of education announced that a tentative agreement was reached after a 10-month impasse. The agreement, reached with the help of a Federal mediator, comes after teachers indicated they would go on strike Feb. 29 if a new deal were not reached by that date. A ratification vote is expected within the next few weeks.

For local news coverage, click here.
Regional Labor Relations Workshops on Workplace of the Future Planned
The FMCS has scheduled a series of two-day workshops on space management and labor relations to be held in Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. The FMCS, Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and the General Services Administration (GSA) collaborated to develop the workshops.

Effective Federal agency workspace management requires employee engagement and labor relations knowledge and skills. The National Strategy for Reducing the Federal Government’s Real Estate Footprint and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Reduce the Footprint (RTF) Memorandum present opportunities to improve Federal workspace quality and functionality while also reducing real estate costs. To summarize the critical employee engagement interests that must be addressed through the OMB RTF initiative, the inter-agency work group of FMCS, FLRA and GSA have created this training video.

The workshops will include:
- A tour of a redesigned federal space developed in partnership with agencies to create an effective and efficient 21st century workspace.
- An overview by GSA of its owned and leased space project lifecycle and key opportunities for employee engagement and labor-management collaboration.
- A review by the FLRA of the statutory duty and scope of bargaining and impasse resolution, as well as opportunities for pre-decisional involvement during office moves.
- Collaborative problem-solving skills training and resources by FMCS to support effective pre-decisional involvement and collective bargaining.
- A discussion with agencies and labor organizations that recently went through office moves about their experiences and lessons learned.
- Resource materials for future reference and to share with colleagues.

There is **NO COST** to attend these workshops. Registration is expected to exceed capacity. Preference will be given to registrants who indicate that their management or union counterpart will also attend. To register, click the link for the session that you wish to attend.

March 9-10, 2016 Chicago, IL                                     REGISTER HERE

March 22-23, 2016 Boston, MA                                 REGISTER HERE

April 19-20, 2016 Denver, CO                                     REGISTER HERE

May 11-12, 2016 Los Angeles, CA                               REGISTER HERE

For a PDF version of the FMCS news release, click here.
FMCS Delivers Its First-ever Spanish Language Outreach Webinar
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service delivered on Jan. 26 its first-ever Spanish language webinar. To date, the Agency has delivered nearly 50 free live webinars for labor and employment practitioners. The webinars have been a big success, with hundreds of attendees benefiting from the extensive knowledge of FMCS mediators and ADR professionals.

This Spanish language webinar titled *Mediación Federal: Más que Solo Mediación*(Federal Mediation: More than Just Mediation) explained how FMCS is enhancing workplace collaboration and maintaining labor peace in the United States. The session included a summary of the various services offered by Federal mediators to strengthen workplace relations, including among others, training to form labor-management committees and build the skills of the members to resolve conflicts on a continuous basis.

FMCS hopes that as a result of the free webinar about alternative dispute resolution for Spanish speakers in the labor-management community that they will become more aware of their options.

 Additional Spanish-language webinar offerings are planned for the future.

 

**Mediación Federal: Más que Solo Mediación (Federal Mediation, More than Just Mediation)**

Este webinar informativo describirá el proceso usado por el Servicio Federal de Mediación y Conciliación (SFMC) en las mediaciones sobre las negociaciones colectivas y en los agravios individuales. Se discutirá el papel que juega el SFMC en aumentar la colaboración en el trabajo y en mantener la paz laboral en los Estados Unidos. Se detallará las funciones de los mediadores federales y de cada parte en los conflictos mediados por el SFMC.

La sesión concluirá con un resumen de los servicios ofrecidos por los mediadores federales para fortalecer las relaciones en el trabajo. Estos Servicios incluyen no solamente la mediación de disputas.  Incluyen también, entre otros,  el entrenamiento para formar comités obrero-patronales y para desarrollar las habilidades de los miembros de los comités para resolver los conflictos de una manera continua.

Este webinar es gratis.

 
Mediators Report Progress in Labor-Management Relations at St. Cloud MN Veterans Facility
Release date: 1/18/2016

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** —A team of mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) reports progress is being made in training to improve labor-management relations at a St. Cloud VA Health Care System.

Led by FMCS mediators, representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 390 and managers at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System have jointly participated in intensive training exercises, classroom-style instruction and facilitated discussions designed to improve skills in communicating, joint problem solving and team building—all with the goal of improving labor-management relations and cooperation and assuring veterans the best possible care. Improving joint problem solving, communication and team building skills enhances organizational performance and leads to better service for customers.

The program is known as Relationship-by-Objective (RBO) training; the specialized instruction provided by FMCS is designed to reduce labor-management conflict and to improve cooperation through increased levels of trust, respect and understanding among the parties involved. RBO training is one of the services offered by FMCS in response to a joint request for assistance from labor and management.

Participants have more work to do with FMCS mediators, and have absorbed skills and demonstrated the ability to utilize the training going forward in their relationship. FMCS mediator Darlene Voltin reported “Progress is being made.” After a break, training with the parties will resume March 15 and 16, 2016.

For a PDF version, click here.
FMCS Is Number One Among Small Federal Agency “Best Places to Work”
Release date: 12/8/2015

WASHINGTON, DC**–** For a third time in a decade, the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)  today received the top rating among Federal government small agencies as being a “best place to work,” according to rankings released by the Partnership for Public Service.

“We are delighted at this recognition of a very special workplace,” said FMCS Director Allison Beck. “This result is proof, once again, of the strong commitment among FMCS employees to our standards of excellence and to our vital mission of helping to resolve workplace conflict.”

Under Director Beck, the FMCS last year began a re-organization and re-structuring initiative called “Securing the Future of FMCS Together,” which has emphasized employee engagement, inclusion, and new ways to inspire creativity, teamwork, innovation, and service delivery. At FMCS, Beck said, “We are making it a priority to live by the values we espouse, both with our customers and our employees—open communications, transparency, and joint problem-solving.”

FMCS was recognized at a Partnership for Public Service news conference Tuesday  for its number one ranking in 2015, which also rated FMCS the highest in several individual categories, including “Employee Skills-Mission Match,” “Empowerment,”  “Innovation,” “Work-Life Balance,” and “Support for Diversity.” The agency achieved second-place rankings in “Leaders,” “Supervisors,” “Pay,” and “Teamwork,” based on employee responses to survey questions.

FMCS headed the list of small agencies in the 2015 rankings of the “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government” as rated by the nonprofit, nonpartisan group, which released its rankings of Federal workplaces today. The rankings are based on responses from more than 433,300 civil servants in 391 Federal organizations.

Produced by the Partnership and Deloitte, the *Best Places to Work* rankings provide critical information to help agencies, the Obama administration and Congress assess workplace health and performance. In addition to overall satisfaction and commitment, the rankings measure employee attitudes on 10 workplace categories, including effective leadership, innovation, support for diversity, work-life balance and pay.

Agencies are ranked based on the responses of their own employees to the government-wide, Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management.

Based on previous surveys, the FMCS was the top-ranked “best place to work” among small agencies in 2005 and 2007.  The rankings began in 2003, and since 2007 have been conducted annually. The FMCS generally has scored among the top five finishers for small agencies in every year that Agency results were available for comparison.

Complete 2015 rankings and information about the survey are available at the Partnership for Public Service website at http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/index.php.

For a PDF version of the FMCS release, click here.
Mediators Assist in Contract Agreement for Detroit Casinos
Updated: 12/14/2015

With assistance from FMCS Commissioner Jim Statham and Michigan state mediators, the Detroit Casino Council and union representatives for approximately 6,000 casino employees have ratified a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement for three large Detroit casinos,  the Greektown Casino, the MGM Grand Detroit and the Motor City Casino.

For local news coverage, click here.
FMCS Training Helps Strengthen Addison Northeast (VT) Schools Labor-Management Relations and Cooperation
Release date: 11/23/2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. —A team of mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) recently completed 40 hours of intensive training for 27 participants from Addison Northeast Supervisory (ANESU) Union and Addison Northeast Education Association (ANEDA) at the request of both organizations to improve their labor-management relations.

Led by FMCS Commissioner Cynthia Jeffries and FMCS Regional Director D. Scott Blake, Addison Northeast schools building principals, administrators, school board members and members of both the teacher and support staff bargaining units jointly participated in an intensive 2 1⁄2 day session that included training exercises, classroom-style instruction and facilitated discussions designed to improve skills in communicating, joint problem solving and team building—all with the goal of improving labor-management relations and cooperation.

Known as relationship-by-objective (RBO) training, the specialized instruction provided by FMCS is designed to reduce labor-management conflict and to improve cooperation through increased levels of trust, respect and understanding among the parties involved. RBO training is one of the services provided by FMCS to unionized workplaces nationwide in response to a joint request from labor and management.

Commissioner Jeffries rated the ANESU/ANEDA training “very successful.” She said that participants “absorbed the skills and demonstrated the ability to utilize the training going forward in their relationship. The participants responded very positively to the training, and we had some excellent feedback from them. Comparatively speaking, this was a group that did very well,” she said.

For a PDF version of this news release, click here.
With FMCS Assistance, Norwalk, OH Schools Reach Agreement with Teachers
Release Date: 11/20/2015

After months-long negotiations, representatives of the Norwalk, OH city school board and the Norwalk Teachers Association agreed to a tentative contract after several sessions with an FMCS mediator.  Talks leading to the agreement began last February.

For local news coverage, click here. 
FMCS Announces Labor-Management Grants
Release date: 11/13/2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) today announced it has awarded eight grants totaling $751,055 to support cooperative initiatives by labor-management groups nationwide to support their innovative approaches to workplace issues as well as best practices in labor relations.

“We are pleased to announce this year’s grant program recipients, which represent potentially model projects and strong leadership for similar labor-management cooperation and collaboration efforts throughout the country. Among the most important grants we award are those addressing relationship building and communication between labor and management for projects that benefit a facility, a community, or a region in a way that others can emulate,” said FMCS Director Allison Beck.

Through the years, the FMCS grants program has helped labor and management groups nationwide develop creative conflict resolution projects that improve cooperation and enhance organizational effectiveness. “This year’s grantees represent a diverse range of projects, involving both the public and private sector, including the service, health care, manufacturing and construction industries. We are pleased to see the emphasis on innovation in addressing joint problems among our applicants, and we look forward to working with these labor-management groups in achieving the worthwhile goals they have set for themselves,” the FMCS Director said.

The grants program, which began in 1981 under the authority of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (PL 95-524), has funded a broad range of projects designed to address a specific workplace, industry or community problem through joint processes. Collaborative efforts have enabled the parties to address critical issues, such as, safety, health care costs, skills development, training and the resolution of workplace disputes.

Applicants wishing to learn more about the FMCS labor-management grants program may call the FMCS Grants Office at 202-606-8181 or visit the agency’s website at www.fmcs.gov, where online summaries of the grant recipients’ projects are also available.

For a PDF version of the FMCS release, click here.
With Mediator Assistance, Tentative Agreement Reached in East St. Louis Teachers’ Strike
Release date: 10/30/2015

The East St. Louis Federation of Teachers Local 1220 and the school district reached a tentative agreement after a 13-hour negotiating session assisted by Federal mediators Roland Lewis and Glen Reed.

The agreement, if approved, could return teachers and students to classrooms as early as Monday.

For local news coverage, click here.
FMCS Observes Conflict Resolution Day 2015
Release date: 10/15/2015

Today, FMCS joins other Federal agencies and organizations around the world in observance of Conflict Resolution Day. This annual event is celebrated on the third Thursday in October to promote peaceful conflict resolution and the importance of alternative dispute resolution practices, and to honor the work of ADR professionals and their contributions to the public.

For more than 65 years, the men and women of FMCS have worked tirelessly to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. The Agency helps foster better workplace relationships through joint problem-solving and constructive responses to conflict. Browse our website or contact your local FMCS office to learn more about the initiatives and innovative programs we offer to help manage and resolve workplace conflict.

A Conflict Resolution Day message from FMCS Director Allison Beck.
FMCS Again Ranks as a Best Place to Work Among Small Agencies in the Federal Government
Release date: 10/9/2015

An annual survey by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management of more than 400,000 workers across the Federal government has ranked the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) as one of the best places to work in the federal government among small agencies.

The FMCS has ranked at or near the top in the OPM ratings for small agencies in every year that data from the Agency has been included in the survey results.

The survey of government employees examines Federal workers’ perceptions of their organizations, leaders and work experiences.

According to the OPM survey report,  overall Federal agencies’ scores in employee engagement, satisfaction and inclusion indices were up 1 percentage point from 2014 results.

Among large Federal agencies, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)  and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ranked as top performers in the survey.

OPM said NASA gained the highest score among big agencies on the global employee satisfaction index, while FMCS achieved the best score among small units.

The OPM report ranked NASA and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency as the top scoring large and small agencies respectively for initiatives that encourage an inclusive workplace culture.

For the full Federal Employment Viewpoint Survey Results,  click here. 
With Mediator Assistance,  Steelworkers and W Va Casino Reach Last-Minute Tentative Agreement
Release date: 10/6/2015

With help from a federal mediator,  representatives of the United Steelworkers and Mardi Gras Casino in Cross Lanes, WV have reached a tentative agreement in a dispute over health care premiums, according to news media reports.

FMCS Commissioner Clifford Crum provided mediation to the two sides in talks that resulted in a tentative settlement Sunday afternoon.  According to media reports, the casino’s 200 employees voted to reject a contract offer on Friday.

For local news coverage, click here.
FMCS Statement on Tentative Agreement Between Pantex/Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the Amarillo Metal Trades Council
Release date: 10/3/2015

**WASHINGTON, DC—**Allison Beck, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), issued the following statement today on the announcement that a tentative agreement had been reached in negotiations between Pantex/Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the Amarillo Metal Trades Council in Amarillo, TX, bringing a possible end to a strike that began August 28 by 1,200 workers at the nuclear facility.

FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh had mediated talks between the parties since September 16, when Director Beck called labor and management representatives back to the bargaining table.

“These were difficult and stressful negotiations for the employer and union representatives,” she said. “This tentative agreement is the result of many long days and many late nights for both sides. In their discussions, labor and management were faced with complex issues and some very tough choices, which they were dedicated to resolving. Thanks to their efforts, we now have reason to hope normal operations will soon be restored at this vital facility,” Ms. Beck stated.

In addition to recognizing the work of the negotiating teams, Ms. Beck also commended FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh for his role in assisting the parties. “Both sides were looking for a way to bridge the differences that have divided them, and after many days of hard work by all concerned, Scot was able to help them find a path,” she said. “We extend our thanks to the parties for their cooperation with the FMCS, and we are pleased to have been of help.”

For a PDF version of the FMCS statement, click here.

 
FMCS Statement on Agreement Between the Chicago Symphony Orchestra And the Chicago Federation of Musicians
Release date: 9/28/2015

**WASHINGTON, D.C. —** Allison Beck, Director of the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), announced today that representatives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Federation of Musicians have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement under the auspices of FMCS mediators.

The parties are not commenting regarding details of the agreement until both sides have ratified the new contract later this week.

As is Agency practice, the FMCS also is not releasing information about the contract until the ratification process has been completed.

For a PDF version of the FMCS statement, click here.

**Update**: The tentative agreement was ratified on October 29. To access the joint news release issued by the parties, click here.
Sugar City, ID School Board and Teachers Reach Agreement with FMCS Help
Release date: 9/28/2015

With the assistance of federal mediator Darrell Clark and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Sugar-Salem Education Foundation and the Sugar-Salem School Board in Sugar City, ID have reached a contract agreement after months of difficult negotiations. According to local news reports, FMCS assistance played a key role. School Superintendent Alan Dunn was quoted in news reports as saying the Clark was very good and “knew his stuff.”

For local news coverage, click here.
FMCS Statement on Negotiations Between Pantex/Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the Metal Trades Council in Amarillo, TX
Release date: 9/25/2015

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** —The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) announced today that labor negotiations  between Pantex/Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the Metal Trades Council in Amarillo, Texas have been temporarily recessed at the request of the federal mediator overseeing the talks to give the parties an opportunity to review new information and engage in internal discussions.

“The parties met this past week and spent many hours in meaningful talks, focused on their mutual efforts to bridge their differences” said FMCS Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh. “This temporary recess is necessary in order to allow the parties to assess the new information provided and explore additional avenues for possible resolution. The parties will reconvene next week at a time and location to be determined.”

Because of the sensitivity and the critical importance of the discussions, both the employer and the unions have agreed to a request by FMCS to refrain from commenting to the news media regarding the status and substance of the talks.  In keeping with Agency policy and practice, the FMCS will also have no further comment regarding the status and substance of the talks.

For a PDF version of the FMCS statement, click here.
Federal Mediator Helps Bring End to 42-day Sun Tran Bus Strike
Release date: 9/17/2015

With assistance from Federal mediator Dennis Teel, Teamsters Local Union 104 and Professional Transit Management reached a two-year deal to end the 42-day Sun Tran bus strike in Tucson, Ariz.

The bus strike began on Aug. 6 after the union and Professional Transit Management—the company contracted by the city of Tucson to oversee Sun Tran—came to an impasse over contract negotiations. Following 42 days of picketing, the parties met into the early morning hours, resulting in a new, tentative contract agreement. Sun Tran workers approved the deal with an 89 percent vote.

For local news media coverage, click here.
Statement by FMCS Director Allison Beck on the Ongoing Labor Dispute Involving Pantex/Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the Metal Trades Council
Release date: 9/16/2015

**WASHINGTON, D.C. —** Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Director Allison Beck announced today that she has requested that senior officials from Pantex/Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and the Metal Trades Council in Amarillo, Texas cooperate with FMCS in scheduling a joint meeting with an FMCS mediator to explore a settlement of the strike that began August 28th at the Amarillo facility.

Noting that the strike began following worker rejection of a tentative agreement that was unanimously recommended for ratification by the workers’ bargaining committee, Director Beck stated:

“While FMCS has been monitoring the situation closely and mediation is normally a completely voluntary process, we cannot stand by and let this critical nuclear weapons facility continue to experience a work stoppage. In the absence of the parties scheduling a session on their own, it is our obligation to extend every effort to help the parties bridge their differences. Accordingly, I have asked FMCS Deputy Director Scot L Beckenbaugh, who has a well-earned reputation of successfully assisting parties in the resolution of complex disputes, to intervene on behalf of FMCS. It is our intention to convene a meeting under the auspices of FMCS at a time and a location that can be agreed upon by the parties.”

For a PDF version of the FMCS statement, click here.
Strike Averted at Schenectady NY Hospital with Mediator Help
Release date: 8/31/2015

Registered nurses at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady NY called off a strike after reaching a tentative agreement following a long and intense bargaining session involving FMCS mediator Cynthia Jeffries.

The New York State Nurses Association had notified Ellis Hospital on Aug. 20 that they intended to strike on Sept. 3 in the absence of a new contract agreement. Ellis Medicine, which operates the facility, informed the nurses’ bargaining unit that that hospital administration would then lock out nurses for five days afterward, according to news reports.

With assistance from the FMCS mediator, the parties met into the early morning hours, resulting in a new, tentative contract agreement.

For local news media coverage, click here. 
Welcome to the New FMCS Website; Sign Up For FMCS Updates
FMCS has updated the Agency website with a new look and feel, new features and better navigation. The previous website has been replaced with all-new graphics, a re-organized information structure and easier access to popular site features.

In addition, FMCS is pleased to announce that we have implemented a new email subscription service to make it easier for you to get information about FMCS meetings and conferences as well as news and announcements about FMCS activities and services. We hope that you will find it useful to have the ability to customize the emails you receive from the FMCS based upon your particular areas of interest. Click to subscribe

With FMCS email updates, you can password protect your subscriptions and preferences, change your email address, or unsubscribe at any time by accessing your Manage Subscriptions page. You’ll find convenient links to your Subscriber Preferences in the footer of every message. You’ll need to log in with your email address. Be sure to save your changes, and look for a confirmation via email.

You can also choose a frequency preference for how often you’d like to receive e-mail and view an archive of messages sent to you,

Thank you for your continued interest in the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Click to subscribe.
With Mediator Assistance, East Liverpool OH Board and Teachers Reach Agreement
Release date:  8/25/ 2015

The East Liverpool, OH city school board and teachers union have ratified a new contract agreement reached last week with the help of a federal mediator.

According to local news accounts, the school board and the East Liverpool Education Association agreed to a request by the mediator to talk informally, which led to progress in their negotiations.

The new agreement, ratified by the parties, will remain in effect until Aug. 31, 2017.

For local news coverage, click here.
Battelle, Unions Reach Tentative Agreement with Mediator Assistance
Release Date 8/19/2015

With help from a Federal mediator, Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC) workers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash. have reached a tentative agreement with Battelle. After nearly three years of negotiations hinged on wages and benefits, HAMTC members tentatively accepted a best and final contract from Battelle, which operates the national lab in Richland for the U.S. Department of Energy. Workers will vote on the proposed contract Aug. 28.

For local news coverage, click here.
Allison Beck Confirmed as Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
The U.S. Senate voted today to confirm FMCS Acting Director Allison Beck as the first woman Director of the Agency.

She becomes the 18th Director of the FMCS since it was created by Congress in 1947.

Ms. Beck was nominated for the position by President Obama on September 18, 2014 and has served as Acting Director of the Agency since her nomination. Prior to her nomination, Ms. Beck served for more than four years as FMCS Deputy Director. Her past duties included assisting with the management of the Agency and supervising FMCS national and international programs.

Prior to her appointment as Deputy Director, Ms. Beck had an extensive career in the field of labor law and labor-management relations. For 20 years, she served as General Counsel of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO (IAM), where she supervised the legal affairs of a large, international union, became well-versed in all aspects of labor and employment law, and litigated cases in federal court and before government labor agencies.
FMCS Congratulates Both Sides in Final Settlement for Rhode Island Pension Case
Release Date: 7/1/2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Acting Director Allison Beck congratulated Rhode Island state officials and union negotiators on the implementation of a settlement agreement to Rhode Island’s longstanding public employee pension dispute.

Ms. Beck led a team of FMCS mediators who worked with the parties to craft a settlement agreement last year that provided the foundation for resolving the statewide pension dispute. Provisions of the negotiated agreement are part of the Rhode Island state budget signed into law on June 30, 2015 by Governor Raimondo and are to be implemented with the state’s new fiscal year.

“On behalf of the FMCS mediators who assisted in this important negotiation, we are gratified that the dedication and hard work of the retiree and union negotiating teams, and by the negotiators for the Administration and the Treasurer’s office in this complex and lengthy process have achieved a successful resolution. Their professionalism and perseverance were the keys to ultimately gaining a consensual resolution to what had been an intractable legal dispute. I especially want to commend FMCS Boston and Providence mediators, Commissioners Josh Flax and Joseph Kelleher, for their tireless assistance to the parties. Theirs was a tremendous effort, and they have my personal thanks as well.”
FMCS Mediators Assist Department of Energy and Industry Groups Establish Groundbreaking Energy Saving Standards
Release Date: 6/30/2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In what has been hailed as the biggest energy-saving standards rulemaking in Department of Energy history, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) assisted industry, government and advocacy groups to achieve major new consensus energy standards for commercial heating and air conditioning equipment. These standards could save nearly 15 quadrillion BTUs (quads) of energy over 30 years and reduce energy consumption and costs by billions of dollars over the lifespan of the equipment.

FMCS Acting Director Allison Beck commended FMCS mediators Eileen Hoffman, Javier Ramirez, Ted Bantle and Isael Hermosillo for facilitating the rulemaking process. “This is a huge accomplishment with far-reaching benefits for our country and its future. The parties dedicated themselves to a collaborative rulemaking process, and we are proud that our mediators were able to help them achieve an extraordinary result.”

While FMCS is known for its distinguished work in the field of labor-management mediation and conflict resolution, the Agency also has a rich history of facilitating collaborative decision-making processes. The Administrative Dispute Resolution and Negotiated Rulemaking Acts of 1990 designated FMCS as a key provider of dispute resolution services to other federal, state, and local government agencies recognizing FMCS’s expertise and ability to reduce costs through the expanded use of alternative dispute resolution processes throughout government.
FMCS Statement on the Tentative Agreement Between the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and the NYC Hospital Alliance
Release Date: 6/18/2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Allison Beck, Acting Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), today announced that with the assistance of Federal mediators, a tentative settlement has been reached between the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and the New York City Hospital Alliance, representing major medical facilities in the city of New York.

Bargaining under the auspices of FMCS mediators, including FMCS Acting Director Allison Beck, Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh, and Commissioner Cynthia Jeffries, the nurses’ union and hospital group reached a tentative agreement after many hours of intense talks early today.

Ms. Beck commended the work of FMCS Deputy Director Beckenbaugh and Commissioner Jeffries for their roles in helping the nurses’ union and hospital group overcome major differences at the bargaining table. “We are gratified that our team of mediators was able to provide assistance in these challenging and complex negotiations,” Ms. Beck said. “Ultimately, it was perseverance and hard work by the nurses and hospital management that enabled them to reach agreement.”

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification. As is Agency practice, the FMCS will not comment on the substance or content of the agreement or negotiation.

Click here to access the joint news release issued by the parties.
FMCS Statement on Tentative Agreement Between Between United Steelworkers Local 9423 and Century Aluminum
Release Date: 6/9/2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Allison Beck, Acting Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), today announced that with the assistance of Federal mediators, a tentative settlement has been reached between USW Local 9423 and Chicago-based Century Aluminum Co., potentially ending a work stoppage affecting approximately 560 workers at a Century Aluminum facility in Hawesville, KY.

A previous labor contract expired in April 2015 followed by contentious negotiations and a work stoppage in May.

Bargaining under the auspices of FMCS mediators, the union and employer reached a tentative agreement after many hours of intense talks.

Ms. Beck commended FMCS Director of Mediation Services Peter Cheng and FMCS mediator Chris Alford for their roles in bringing both sides together in the bargaining. “Our mediators assisted these parties through a very difficult period, and we are gratified that we were able to help the union and employer overcome their differences in these challenging and complex negotiations,” Ms. Beck said. “Ultimately, the hard work by the parties enabled them to reach common ground.”

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification. As is Agency practice, the FMCS will not comment on the substance or content of the agreement or negotiation.

 

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