| Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service | |
|---|---|
| FMCS | |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | June 23, 1947 |
| Jurisdiction | Federal government of the United States |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Employees | 265 (2011)[1] |
| Agency executives | George H. Cohen, Director Scot L. Beckenbaugh, Deputy Director for Mediation Services and Field Programs Allison Beck, Deputy Director for National and International Programs |
| Website | |
| www.fmcs.gov | |
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is an independent agency of the United States government, founded in 1947, which provides mediation services to industry, community and government agencies worldwide. One of its most common tasks is to help to mediate labor disputes around the country. The headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.. Certified mediators work for it.
Contents |
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service was created under the terms of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 (better known as the Taft–Hartley Act) to replace the United States Conciliation Service operating within the Department of Labor, a body that had been described as partial to labor by an industry spokesman. The chair of the FMCS received $12,000, placing the position at par with the National Labor Relations Board. The FMCS offered its services upon request or in disputes affecting interstate commerce, and was required to be notified within 30 days of the expiration of a contract where either side proposes modification or termination of the existing contract.[2]
On August 7, 1947, President of the United States Harry S. Truman appointed Cyrus S. Ching as the first director of the FMCS. Ching had been a member of the National War Labor Board until 1943, and had been an employee of the United States Rubber Company since 1919, serving as the firm's director of industrial and public relations in 1929. Ching would take office as of August 22, 1947, the date established in the Taft-Hartley Act for the creation of the FMCS as an independent agency, and would assume the role of the nation's top labor mediator from Edgar L. Warren, who had filled the senior mediation role within the Labor Department.[3] After conferring with the President in August, Ching stated that he would assume his role as director in early September upon the completion of his duties at U. S. Rubber. Ching stated that his role was to settle labor disputes at the level when and where they develop.[4]
Ching was sworn into office on September 5, 1947 with an oath administered by Judge Henry White Edgerton at ceremonies also attended by Howard T. Colvin, who served as acting head from the August 22 creation of the FMCS, as well as other representatives of labor, industry and government.[5]
Representatives of the FMCS played a role in negotiations between Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation and the Marine and Shipbuilding Workers in a strike that started in June 1947.[6]
Representatives of the FMCS played a role in negotiations between the National Football League and the National Football League Players Association in contract talks in February 2011.[7]
Directors of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (with the date they took office listed and the President who made the appointment shown in parentheses), are as follows:[8]