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 ..read more

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 serie ..read more

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 ..read more

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 mak ..read more

Department of the Interior Press Release Thursday, September 21, 2023 Contact: 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 ..read more

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 disrupt ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ef ..read more

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 work ..read more

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 ..read more