The Federal Mediation And Conciliation Service (FMCS) plays a crucial role in fostering harmonious labor-management relations across the United States. By offering expert mediation and conciliation services, the FMCS assists parties in resolving disputes and building productive partnerships. Stay informed about the FMCS’s impactful work and upcoming events through our email subscription service.
Stay Connected with FMCS Updates
Ensuring you are up-to-date with the latest news, announcements, meetings, and conferences from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is now easier than ever. Our new email subscription service allows you to customize the information you receive based on your specific areas of interest within labor relations and dispute resolution. Subscribing provides a convenient way to stay informed about FMCS activities and services that can benefit your organization or professional development.
Manage your subscription preferences effortlessly by creating a password-protected account. This allows you to modify your email address, adjust your subscription settings, or unsubscribe at any time. Convenient links to manage your preferences are included in the footer of every email communication from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Simply log in with your email address to make changes and ensure you save your updates to receive a confirmation email. You can also set your preferred email frequency and access an archive of previously sent messages for your reference.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the vital services it provides to the labor-management community.
FMCS Facilitates Tentative Agreement Between NYSNA and NYC Hospital Alliance
In a significant labor relations development, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) successfully assisted in reaching a tentative settlement between the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and the New York City Hospital Alliance. This alliance represents major medical facilities throughout New York City. Acting Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), Allison Beck, announced the agreement, highlighting the crucial role of federal mediators in navigating complex negotiations.
Under the guidance of FMCS mediators, including Acting Director Allison Beck, Deputy Director Scot Beckenbaugh, and Commissioner Cynthia Jeffries, intensive discussions between the nurses’ union and the hospital group culminated in a tentative agreement reached in the early hours of June 18, 2015. The FMCS team’s expertise in mediation proved invaluable in bridging significant differences between the parties.
Acting Director Beck specifically recognized the dedicated efforts of Deputy Director Beckenbaugh and Commissioner Jeffries in facilitating productive dialogue and helping the NYSNA and the hospital alliance overcome challenging obstacles at the bargaining table. “We are pleased that our mediation team was able to offer support during these demanding and intricate negotiations,” Ms. Beck stated. She further emphasized that “the dedication and persistent efforts of both the nurses and hospital management were ultimately instrumental in achieving this agreement.”
The tentative agreement is now subject to a ratification vote by the union membership. In accordance with FMCS policy, the agency will refrain from commenting on the specifics of the agreement or the negotiation process itself.
FMCS Mediators Instrumental in Groundbreaking Energy Saving Standards
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) demonstrated its diverse capabilities beyond labor disputes by playing a key role in establishing landmark energy-saving standards for commercial heating and air conditioning equipment. In what is considered a monumental achievement in energy efficiency rulemaking by the Department of Energy, FMCS mediators facilitated a collaborative process involving industry stakeholders, government agencies, and advocacy groups.
These newly established consensus standards are projected to yield substantial energy savings, potentially reaching nearly 15 quadrillion BTUs (quads) over the next 30 years. This translates to billions of dollars in reduced energy consumption costs throughout the lifespan of the regulated equipment, marking a significant stride towards energy conservation and sustainability.
Acting Director Allison Beck commended the FMCS mediation team, consisting of Eileen Hoffman, Javier Ramirez, Ted Bantle, and Isael Hermosillo, for their expert facilitation of this complex rulemaking process. “This is a remarkable accomplishment with widespread and long-lasting benefits for our nation and its future. The participating parties committed themselves to a collaborative approach to rulemaking, and we are proud that our mediators were able to support them in achieving such an extraordinary outcome,” Ms. Beck noted.
While the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is widely recognized for its distinguished work in labor-management mediation and conflict resolution, the agency also possesses a strong track record in facilitating collaborative decision-making across various sectors. The Administrative Dispute Resolution Act and Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 formally designated the FMCS as a primary provider of dispute resolution services to federal, state, and local government bodies. This designation acknowledges the FMCS’s recognized expertise and its proven ability to enhance efficiency and reduce costs through the strategic application of alternative dispute resolution methods within government operations.
FMCS Praises Settlement in Rhode Island Pension Case
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) also played a pivotal role in resolving a longstanding public employee pension dispute in Rhode Island. Acting Director Allison Beck of the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service congratulated Rhode Island state officials and union negotiators on the successful implementation of a settlement agreement that addressed this complex and protracted issue.
Ms. Beck personally led a team of FMCS mediators who worked diligently with the involved parties to develop a settlement framework in the preceding year. This negotiated agreement served as the foundational blueprint for resolving the statewide pension dispute. The provisions of this agreement were subsequently incorporated into the Rhode Island state budget, which was signed into law by Governor Raimondo on June 30, 2015, and became effective with the commencement of the state’s new fiscal year.
“On behalf of the FMCS mediators who contributed to this critical negotiation, we are deeply gratified that the dedication and perseverance exhibited by the retiree and union negotiating teams, as well as the negotiators representing the Administration and the Treasurer’s office, have culminated in a successful and consensual resolution to what had been a deeply entrenched legal dispute. Their professionalism and unwavering commitment were the keys to achieving this positive outcome,” Ms. Beck stated. She further extended specific commendation to FMCS Boston and Providence-based mediators, Commissioners Josh Flax and Joseph Kelleher, for their tireless dedication and support to the parties throughout the negotiation process, acknowledging their “tremendous effort” and offering her “personal thanks.”
Upcoming Events and Training Opportunities
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service actively participates in and supports various events and training programs aimed at advancing labor-management relations and mediation skills. Here are a few notable upcoming events:
2015 Association of Labor Relations Agencies’ Annual Conference
- Date: July 18 – 21, 2015
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Description: The Association of Labor Relations Agencies (ALRA) is a professional organization comprised of impartial government agencies from the United States and Canada. ALRA’s mission is to promote cooperation among these agencies, uphold high professional standards in labor relations, foster public interest in the field, improve employer-employee relationships, facilitate the peaceful resolution of labor disputes, and encourage the exchange of information related to agency services, including mediation, conciliation, fact-finding, arbitration, and adjudication.
- Contact: Lane Harstad 612-331-6193, [email protected]
Louisiana-Mississippi Labor-Management Conference
- Date: July 27 – 29, 2015
- Location: Golden Nugget Hotel, Biloxi, Mississippi
- Description: This annual conference is dedicated to promoting Labor-Management cooperation within the private and public sectors through informational and educational sessions. The conference encourages participation from all members of the labor-management community, welcoming joint attendance from Unions and Employers.
- Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Speakers and Presenters: Include Dan Borne (President-Louisiana Chemical Association), Peyton Hairston, Jr. (Executive Director North America’s Building Trades Unions), Scot Beckenbaugh (Deputy Director Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service), and representatives from OSHA, Entergy Corporation, Department of Homeland Security, and FBI. Topics will range from arbitration and interest-based problem solving to workplace violence and cyber-security.
- Contact: [email protected]
Dallas-Fort Worth Federal Executive Board 1-Day Advanced Mediation Skills Training
- Date: August 11, 2015
- Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Contact: Lu-Ann Glaser (202) 606-2222, [email protected]
- Registration: Registration Form
These events and training opportunities demonstrate the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service’s commitment to advancing the field of labor-management relations and providing valuable resources to stakeholders.
