FMCS Field Services “Shuttered!”

Update from March 20, 2025

Last week I wrote about the public-sector’s loss of access to mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). Last week FMCS told public-sector employers and unions representing public sector employees that:

(1) as of March 18, 2025, FMCS was not accepting any new requests for mediators from the public-sector; and

(2) all pending public-sector mediation cases had to be closed by April 18, 2025.

Well, that directive lasted 8 days. At around 8:45 a.m. today (March 26, 2025), FMCS told all mediators that effective immediately they were all on administrative leave pending Reduction in Force notices being sent.

What now?

Employers and Unions nationwide are going to have to find alternative services that provide mediation. As I said last week, the Illinois Labor Relations Board provides a list to public-sector employers and unions. However, unlike FMCS, those mediators charge the parties fees.

Now, all employers and unions are in the same boat. In the short term, Employers and Unions are left scrambling to find mediators. Private mediators will likely be scheduled months out. This will cause labor disputes to fester and thereby negatively impact an employer’s business. Even more than a week ago, it is now more important to get someone with experience on your side.