FMCS must provide an outline of its plan to eliminate positions by April 14, including proposed relocations of people and offices outside the Washington, D.C., area, changes to regulations or agency policies to help facilitate downsizing and more details about the implementation of RIFs. FMCS will deliver monthly progress reports and is expected to complete the process by the end of September 2025. (White House Fact Sheet; NPR.)
Update 3/19/25: In an press release, FMCS defended its work and said it was continuing to provide its "statutorily mandated services." (FMCS PR.)
As a longtime labor arbitrator who has been conducting FMCS-administered arbitrations since the Clinton Administration, this is a tragedy. The administrative-cost-free nature of FMCS' arbitrations benefited both companies and unions. Removing this government option will now enable private organizations, e.g. AAA, to jack up their prices.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, this seems likely to reflect a long-term inclination on the part of those currently running the Article II branch to eliminate the Wagner Act and its progeny. One doesn't need a cadre of FMCS staff mediatiors if there is no collective bargaining.
This is so sad!
ReplyDeleteIs there any word oozing out from federal sector ombuds, besides the Education Dept. ombuds who was blasted.
ReplyDeleteThe FMCS stopped providing ombuds services after the one and only ombuds resigned from the agency in 2023.
ReplyDelete