Home > West's Encyclopedia of American Law > Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is an independent agency of the U.S. government that seeks to prevent or settle disputes between LABOR UNIONS and management that affect interstate commerce. The FMCS was established by the 1947 LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS ACT (61 Stat. 153 [29 U.S.C.A. § 172]), better known as the TAFT-HARTLEY ACT. Mediators for the FMCS have no law enforcement authority and must rely on their own persuasive techniques.

The Labor-Management Relations Act requires that parties to a labor contract must file a notice with the FMCS if agreement is not reached within 30 days before a contract termination or reopening date. The FMCS is required by the act to...