2022 Reorganization is Finalized Acting Director Greg Goldstein Deputy Director Javier Rameriz Deputy Director for Policy and Strategy Josh Flax Associate Deputy Director of Field Operations National Sarah Cudahy Associate Deputy Director of Field Operations Regional Beth Schindler Client Services Manager Kevin Buffington Field Operations Managers Region 1 Pete Donatello, Field Operations Manager pdonatello@fmcs.gov Region […]
January 2023 News Update
January 2023 Javier Ramirez’s nomination was sent back to the White House on January 3 due to inaction on his nomination in 2022. The President renominated him for a third time also on January 3, 3023. I believe this is the first time a nomination for FMCS Director has happened 3 times for the same […]
Update on Javier Rameriz and the FMCS Nomination
News on 2023 Nomination is summed up in this Politico Article HELP GOP raises alarm about Biden’s chief mediator nominee By NICK NIEDZWIADEK 03/27/2023 10:00 AM EDT FIRST IN SHIFT: A pair of Republicans on the Senate HELP committee are raising concerns about President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the independent federal agency tasked with facilitating labor […]
Three Generations of Wagners #368 John M., #678 John A., #1234 Kevin
The Wagner family has a proud legacy at FMCS. There have been three generations (John M., John A., and Kevin) who have served as commissioners for a total of 62 years. Kevin Wagner is currently based out of the Headquarters in Washington, DC. The foundation for the Wagner FMCS mediators was laid by Kevin’s […]
From the Ranks to a Presidential Appointment as FMCS Director
Most FMCS Directors have been individuals appointed by the President from outside of government with experience in labor/management relations as an advocate or as a neutral. However, there were three Directors who came from within FMCS and not directly from advocacy positions. These three individuals began their FMCS career as a mediator, but then rose […]
FMCS Headquarters Locations
During its seventy years of existence, the FMCS National Office has been at three locations in Washington D.C. Initially, FMCS was located in the old Department of Labor Building at 14th and Constitution Ave NW, on the North-East Corner of that intersection, very near the Washington Monument, and a few blocks from the White House. […]
Ken Moffett – Washington Post Article 1981 (Have times changed)
In 1981 FMCS was in the news often, and it’s Deputy Director Ken Moffett soon to be nominated but never confirmed by the Senate was making most of that news. Moffett did receive a recess appointment as Director in January 1982 to legitimize a Reduction in Force conducted under his Acting Director leadership but was […]
FMCS and Myanmar (Burma)
Did you know that FMCS in conjunction with the ILO worked with the Government of Myanmar in 2015-2016 to help establish dispute resolution capabilities in the newly formed democratic government led by Aung San Suu Kyi? Things have changed much since then in Myanmar with a military takeover of Government in 2021. FMCS worked with […]
FMCS and Baseball
FMCS has been in the news of late connected to the Major League Baseball lockout. As indicated in the article linked here Major League Baseball requested assistance from FMCS. UPDATE Letter from MLB Commissioner To Our Fans: I had hoped against hope that I would not have to be in the position of canceling games. We worked hard […]
The Wall Street Journal Article
On May 31, 2001, during the waning months of the Richard Barnes Directorship (Director Peter Hurtgen was confirmed in 2002 after the lengthy transition due to the legal challenge of the 2000 election) an article was published by the Wall Street Journal which focused on the ever-growing non-labor mediation work of FMCS. Many were pleased […]