The Bureau of Mediation was then assigned the responsibility of providing mediation services to public sector parties. An amendment to the school code in 1992, known as Act 88, provided additional strict time lines utilizing mediators within the public school setting. Additionally, mediation assistance has been provided for Act 111 police and fire fighter contract disputes when requested. The work of the Bureau has been expanding in both the private and public sectors and today is the keystone of the Commonwealth's efforts to cultivate cooperative relationships between labor and management in plants, schools, governmental agencies, and other places of work. What We Do Work stoppages are unpleasant, rarely benefiting either side in a dispute between labor and management.
Work stoppages interrupt services, reduce profits, threaten jobs and disrupt lives.
But there is a proven alternative to costly work stoppages, Mediation. When the bargaining process reaches an impasse, an impartial mediator can provide a fresh point of view and encourage practical cooperation toward a settlement. The value of mediation in the collective bargaining process is time-tested. Nine out of ten disputes receiving active assistance from a mediator are settled without a work stoppage. State mediation services also are available to the parties in police and firefighter disputes under Act 111.