Two outstanding FMCS mediators wrote books on mediation in 1971, and they both wrote second editions of their books in 1985 and 1986.
In 1971, William E. Simkin wrote Mediation and the Dynamics of Collective Bargaining. Published by the Bureau of National Affairs, it included: 410 pages, 16 chapters, 6 appendixes, and an index. Simkin wrote his book after being the Director of FMCS for almost eight years, the longest serving FMCS Director. His tenure in the 1960s oversaw the golden years of collective bargaining in the U.S. He was also a nationally known arbitrator for many years, and President of the National Academy of Arbitrators. While he wrote his book, he was on the Harvard Business School faculty. The Foreword written by George Taylor who Simkin referred to as his mentor when he was a student and a young arbitrator. As a life long Quaker, Simkin appeared to all as a calm, peace loving man.
In 1986, Simkin wrote a second edition with the same title: Mediation and the Dynamics of Collective Bargaining. For this edition, his coauthor was nationally known FMCS mediator Nicholas A. Fidandis. This volume included 300 pages, 8 parts, 13 chapters, and an addendum on non-labor mediation, an expansion of mediation use in other conflict arenas.
Also in 1971, Walter A. Maggiolo wrote Techniques of Mediation in Labor Disputes. This volume included 192 pages, 11 chapters, a 6 page bibliography, eleven appendixes, and a preface by Secretary of Labor J.D.Hodgson, with this interesting quote: “The task of the mediator has seldom been an enviable one. Mercutio, unable to achieve useful accommodation between the warring Montagues and Capulets, could only exclaim in exasperation: ‘A plague on both your houses.” This book focuses primarily on mediation and arbitration. Maggiolo’s long mediation career with FMCS included General Counsel, Special Assistant to Cyrus Ching, and Director of Office of Mediation in the National Office. The latter involved a team of mediators who handled major disputes throughout the U.S. They were often referred to as Paratroopers.
In 1985, Walter A. Maggiolo wrote Techniques of Mediation in Labor Disputes.
I helped Walter by writing seven chapters and a 15 page bibliography. I also edited other chapters, selected and prepared 116 pages of Appendixes. This edition is greatly expanded to 458 pages. Like the first edition, this one was published by Oceana Publications, Inc. Dobbs Ferry, NY
