Approved Initiation of a Voluntary Mediation Program

Issuing agencies

Abstract

Notice is hereby given that the Federal Labor Relations Authority (Authority) has approved the initiation of a voluntary mediation program administered by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to assist parties with the resolution of negotiability disputes under section 7117(c) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 64930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20820]


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FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY


Approved Initiation of a Voluntary Mediation Program

AGENCY: Federal Labor Relations Authority.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Federal Labor Relations 
Authority (Authority) has approved the initiation of a voluntary 
mediation program administered by the Federal Mediation and 
Conciliation Service (FMCS) to assist parties with the resolution of 
negotiability disputes under section 7117(c) of the Federal Service 
Labor-Management Relations Statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Tso, Solicitor, at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ceff3f0f1fdf5f0dcfaf0eefdb2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c5b6aaa9a8a4aca985a3a9b7a4eba2aab3">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> or at (771) 444-5778.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Authority has approved the initiation of 
a voluntary mediation program administered by the FMCS to assist 
parties with the resolution of negotiability disputes under section 
7117(c) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (the 
Statute). 5 U.S.C. 7117(c). The purpose of the mediation program is to 
facilitate the efficient and effective resolution of these disputes.
    Section 7105 of the Statute authorizes the Authority to ``resolve 
issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith under section 
7117(c)'' of the Statute. Id. 7105(a)(2)(E). Under section 7117(c), a 
union may file a petition for review when: (1) an agency has alleged 
that a union's bargaining proposal is outside the statutory duty to 
bargain; or (2) an agency head has disapproved, as allegedly contrary 
to law, a contract that the agency and a union have agreed to, or the 
Federal Service Impasses Panel has imposed. Id. 7117(c).
    Section 2424.31 of the Authority's regulations provides that, to 
resolve a negotiability dispute arising from such a petition for 
review, the Authority ``may, in its discretion:'' (a) direct the 
parties to provide specific documentary evidence; (b) direct the 
parties to provide answers to factual questions; (c) refer the matter 
to a hearing; or (d) take any other appropriate action. 5 CFR 2424.31. 
The Authority's decision to approve the mediation program is an action 
under Sec.  2424.31(d) and does not contradict any existing 
regulations.
    The mediation services offered by the FMCS will be a confidential 
and voluntary option for parties with negotiability disputes before the 
Authority. After a union files a petition with the Authority, the 
parties may jointly request mediation of their dispute, or the 
Authority may refer the matter to FMCS. Either party may decline to 
engage in mediation or withdraw their consent to participate in 
mediation at any time.
    Upon referring a negotiability dispute to the FMCS, the Authority 
will inform the parties that it is placing the case in abeyance and 
will defer further processing of the case at that time. If the parties 
settle their entire dispute, then the 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, then the FMCS will notify the Authority. 
The Authority will then resume processing of the negotiability dispute.

    By order of the Authority.

    Issued: October 7, 2026.
Rebecca J. Osborne
Deputy Solicitor, Federal Labor Relations Authority.
[FR Doc. 2026-20820 Filed 10-9-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7627-01-P


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