Instructors:  Arbitrators Brian Clauss and Sheila Mayberry

Dates: For this Virtual course, please note all times referenced are EASTERN time.

March 14, 2022, 5:00 – 7:00pm, EST: Online Orientation Meeting
March 14 – April 17, 2022: Weekly Reading, Videos, & Discussion Board Assignments
April 18 – 22, 2022, 11am – 5:00pm EST: Live Webinar

Please note that there will be course work during the four weeks prior to the live webinar portion of the course.  To create the best experience, part of the course will take place asynchronously in the weeks before the live (synchronous) sessions: this means that you will be provided with readings, videos, and slide presentations that you may view at your own convenience, and then be asked to participate, within a flexible schedule, on discussion boards with each other and class instructors in response to questions and postings. This approach, which will reduce the number of hours in front of a screen during the live webinar, will be illustrated and explained during an orientation meeting to take place on March 14, 5:00 – 7:00pm.

Registration Information:

  • Please reserve your seat for this class first in the registration area below; then
  • Submit your bio to: fmcs_institute@fmcs.gov .
  • Your registration will be automatically flagged “NOT APPROVED.”
  • Once your bio has been approved you will be notified to make payment and your registration will be flagged “PENDING PAYMENT.”
  • Once you remit payment, you will receive a final confirmation of your completed registration.

Cost:
$2,700.00
Once your bio has been approved, you may complete your payment online by selecting Pay.Gov (as opposed to choosing Invoice). If you are paying by check,  please mail to:

FMCS Institute

One Independence Square
250 E St, SW
Washington, DC 20427

Training Location:
This course is being taught online. The orientation meeting, as well as the live webinar sessions, will be conducted on Zoom Gov (which is  Zoom for Government).   If you have questions or anticipate difficulty connecting, please contact us well in advance of the course so that we can help you troubleshoot.  In the unlikely event that we cannot make it work, we will offer you a full refund.

This course is geared toward labor-management practitioners with substantial experience in labor relations (pursuant to collective bargaining) who wish to become labor arbitrators. The course can also enhance the practice and skills of current arbitrators.
Topics Include:

  • The law of arbitration
  • Arbitration practice, scheduling, and pre-hearing procedures
  • Conducting the hearing, framing issues, and handling witnesses and records
  • Evidence
  • Award and opinion writing
  • Ethics
  • FMCS arbitration policies and procedures
  • Building a practice
  • The application process to the FMCS Roster of Arbitrators

Course Prerequisites:
A biography or resume is required
Please submit a clear bio or resume reflecting your years of experience in the collective bargaining context, including the relevant positions, responsibilities, and time periods to fmcs_institute@fmcs.gov  After submission, you should receive an acceptance letter for admission to this course.

FMCS ROSTER, please note: Successful completion of this course is an acceptable substitute for four of the five minimum number of cases required to be placed on the FMCS Arbitrator Roster.  Additionally, applicants who have completed BALA can participate as an “apprentice” to an NAA member arbitrator in two arbitrations (three without a successful mock award in BALA training taken on or after June 2019) instead of completing an award in their own arbitration. Successful completion of this course does not, however, guarantee selection for the FMCS Roster.

Cancellation Policy: 
Cancellations received more than 7 days in advance of the orientation meeting will be fully refunded less a $100.00 processing fee. Cancellations received within 7 days before the orientation will be fully refunded less a $100 processing fee and a $150 materials fee. Cancellations received after the orientation and before the live webinar will receive a refund of 50% of the tuition. In lieu of a refund, participants who cancel anytime prior to the live webinar will be given the option of enrollment in the next BALA offering at no additional cost.
No-shows and cancellations received after the start of the live webinar are not eligible for a refund.

HRCI & SHRM Credits:

The Institute is an approved provider of both HRCI and SHRM credits for its courses. For more information about HR professional credits, email ContEdCredits@fmcs.gov

CLE Credits:
The FMCS Institute offers Continuing Legal Education credits (CLE) in the state that course is taking place. If you are applying for CLE credits in another state we will provide you with additional documents that may be needed for you to apply in the state of choice. Contact ContEdCredits@fmcs.gov for more information.

If you have any questions, please email fmcs_institute@fmcs.gov or call 202-606-3627.

  • Becoming A Labor Arbitrator ORIENTATION
     03/14/2022
     5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Becoming A Labor Arbitrator WEBINAR
     04/18/2022 - 04/22/2022
     11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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