FLRA Approved New Voluntary Mediation Program

The Federal Labor Relations Authority will partner with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to resolve disputes.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Unions

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring two architectural pillars with a clear gap between them, representing neutral mediation. — The Federal Labor Relations Authority has established a voluntary mediation program, partnering with federal mediators to resolve collective bargaining disputes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you trust government agencies to resolve internal labor disputes effectively through external mediation partners?

The Federal Labor Relations Authority has launched a voluntary mediation program to facilitate the efficient resolution of workplace disputes. Agencies and labor unions can jointly request to enter the program, which will pause their active cases.

Why it matters

This program aims to provide a structured path for labor-management conflict resolution. By shifting mediation responsibilities to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the agency seeks a more effective approach following the elimination of its internal office last year.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority officially published the notice in the Federal Register. Participation in this mediation program remains voluntary, allowing agencies and unions to decline involvement.

The players

Federal Labor Relations Authority

This independent federal agency administers the labor-management relations program for non-postal federal employees.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

This federal agency is dedicated to preventing or minimizing the impact of labor-management disputes on the free flow of commerce.

Chairman Kiko

He is a former official responsible for the 2018 closure of the agency's internal mediation office.

The details

Under the new framework, cases will be placed in abeyance while they proceed through the mediation process. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will specifically handle collective bargaining disputes where the parties mutually consent to the arrangement.

The internal mediation office was first shuttered by Chairman Kiko in 2018.
A mediation office was launched at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in 2019.
The Federal Labor Relations Authority restored its internal mediation office in 2021.
The internal mediation office was eliminated in August 2025.
The Federal Labor Relations Authority approved the new mediation program on October 13, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents or dissenting voices often argue that relying on external mediation creates unnecessary layers of bureaucracy for unions. Critics may maintain that keeping mediation services internal allows for better institutional knowledge and direct oversight of specific federal workforce concerns.

Federal employees involved in labor disputes may see their cases moved to the external mediation process if both parties agree to the request. This shift could potentially streamline resolution timelines for those currently facing protracted negotiations.

The takeaway

This change marks a significant shift in how the government handles internal labor disputes by leveraging an external mediation partner. Parties interested in this route should coordinate with their counterparts early to determine if voluntary participation aligns with their current legal strategy.