FMCS delivers workplace conflict management and resolution services to our customers through 140 mediators in 64 Field Offices — about half of which are home offices — geographically distributed throughout the country.
Administratively, the field offices are organized into six regions, with a Field Operations Manager (FOM) leading each region, and a Field Administrative Specialist (FAS) supporting the FOM and mediators in the region. The six FOM’s report to the Associate Deputy Director for Field Operations (Regional), Beth Schindler.
Field Operations (Regional) is led by the Associate Deputy Director, responsible for the six regions, who then reports directly to the Deputy Director. The Associate Deputy Director performs all administrative and other duties associated with direct supervision of the FOM for their respective regions (rating officials for performance appraisals; authorizing payroll, travel, and training expenditures). They are also reviewing officials for performance appraisals for all mediators and FAS’ reporting to their respective FOM. They provide guidance on all matters concerning the field related to training expenditures, assignments, case reporting, significant cases, and work stoppages as needed, and serve as liaisons with Senior Leadership on the same, as needed. They also work with Senior Leadership and Headquarters Departments on, and/or lead special projects and new initiatives that require field input or will affect the field, as requested. They work to promote cross-agency communication, collaboration, and leadership development in the field.
Each region has variations based on geography, culture, significant industries, and sectors of work which can impact mediator workloads and the specific nature of a mediator’s daily service delivery. However, consistent with our statutory mandates, all regions and mediators provide the following lines of service: Collective Bargaining Mediation (CBM), Relationship Development, Training & Facilitation (RDT), Grievance Mediation (GM), Reimbursable Mediation (RMB) and Education, Advocacy & Outreach (O). In addition, all regions and mediators provide service within the private and federal sectors. In some areas, where states do not provide mediation services and there is no conflict with state law, FMCS also provides service to public sector customers upon request. Finally, all regions and mediators deliver service across all industry sectors (e.g.: manufacturing, defense, health care, groceries, ports, trucking, utilities, oil & gas, entertainment/hotels, federal agencies, etc.), with the exception of rail and air, which fall under the National Mediation Board.
Prior to March 2020, service was primarily delivered in person and on an as-needed basis via virtual and telephonic technology. In the face of Covid-19 and the federal government-wide mandate to switch to a maximum telework mode, all regions and mediators successfully transitioned to 100% service delivery via virtual and telephonic technology in all lines of service and in all sectors and industries.