Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Proposed rule.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is proposing a new regulation to establish an Access to Neutrals Initiative. The main function of the Access to Neutrals Initiative is to provide a Registry of Neutrals—a list of individual dispute resolution providers who have documented their qualifications according to criteria outlined in the regulation in the categories of ADR experience, ADR education/training, substantive education in the content area and experience in the content area. The proposed Access to Neutrals Initiative also includes informational, ethical and continuing education requirements for individuals on the Registry of Neutrals as wellas a consumer complaint process. The proposed regulation provides for clients to access the Registry by Web site or by request from FMCS.
Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before July 7, 2003.
Send comments to Peggy A. McNeive, Acting Director of the Access to Neutrals Initiative, FMCS, 801 Walnut, Suite 501, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Peggy A. McNeive, Telephone: (816) 374–6215; Fax (816) 374–6026.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (“FMCS” or “the Agency”) is experiencing rapid growth in demand for its mediation and related alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services that may soon exceed the Agency's capacity to provide these services through its in-house staff of 200 professional mediators. Requests for ADR processes by other federal agencies, state governments, political subdivisions of states (agencies, cities, school districts, etc.) and other entities have added to FMCS' original mission to provide assistance in labor collective bargaining. Clients seek mediation and ADR services from FMCS for many types of disputes in addition to labor, including employment, public policy and multi-party regulatory negotiation disputes. Even greater numbers and different types of clients may seek assistance from FMCS in the future because of the leadership and credibility of FMCS in the area of dispute resolution. To meet the anticipated surge in demand, FMCS is proposing this regulation to provide its expanding base of clients with ready access to a pool of professional, private-sector neutrals equipped to handle workplace and organizational disputes arising outside of the labor/collective bargaining arena.
The Access to Neutrals Initiative (ANI) embodied in the proposed regulation would establish a registry of highly qualified private-sector neutrals,
Neutrals who wish to participate on the registry would submit education and experience background information to FMCS for a determination of whether the applicant met the standards established by FMCS. For inclusion on the registry, neutrals would have to agree to abide by the informational, ethical and continuing education requirements established by FMCS, and to participate in a consumer complaint process. In addition, the registry would be subject to a procedure for checking the ongoing effectiveness of the overall program. In order to maintain the qualified pool of neutrals and increase the value of the registry, FMCS will work with universities and training providers to establish and/or expand alternative dispute resolution programs. Finally, in maintaining the registry, FMCS would leverage its existing computer network-based resources to maximize the advantages afforded by technology, streamline program administration, and provide excellent customer service.
The Agency developed the proposed regulation in keeping with its longstanding mandate to foster the use of effective conflict resolution processes. FMCS was established in accordance with the labor policy of the United States, which promotes and encourages the amicable resolution of employment disputes. Pursuant to Title II of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 (Pub. L. 80–101), as amended, (LMRA) the Agency has the obligation to “assist parties” to settle disputes “through conciliation and mediation.” (29 U.S.C. 173(a)) Under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104–320) 5 U.S.C. 571
In accordance with the ADR Act, FMCS has consulted with the Federal Interagency ADR Working Group, a group created by the ADR Act with representatives from federal agencies having an interest in the implementation of ADR in the federal sector. In 2000, Gary Hattal, Director of the FMCS Institute, and Richard Giacolone, Director of ADR/International Affairs at FMCS, consulted with the Federal Interagency Working Group about the establishment of a Roster of Neutrals by FMCS.
In addition, FMCS held three external focus group meetings to identify concerns and gather recommendations concerning how standards for referral of private-sector neutrals could be established and utilized. The focus group members included practitioners, members of academia, staff members of ADR centers and members of the FMCS staff. The first focus group met in October of 2000 and centered on qualifications standards for neutrals. The second focus group met in June of 2001 and centered on the processes to be used in vetting neutrals. The final focus group met in February of 2002 to review the initial report and recommendations complied by the University of Arkansas. Following receipt of a draft report and recommendations from the University of Arkansas on the three external focus groups, an internal focus group consisting of the Deputy Director, a Regional Director, a Director of Mediation Services, the Director of Education and Training, the Director of ANI and two field mediators, was convened to review the draft report and make recommendations to the Agency Director. Based on the information developed through the University of Arkansas report and the recommendations of the internal focus group, FMCS developed the proposed regulation. FMCS will continue to convene focus groups in the future to review and refine the ANI.
The Registry of Neutrals will be administered through the supervision of the Agency Director, the ANI Director, and the Neutrals Committee. The Committee membership will be at the discretion of the Director. A continual evaluation program will be developed; it will utilize focus groups and other evaluation tools to make recommendations on revising the ANI.
The proposed ANI will be self-sustaining. FMCS will establish an application and listing fee for individuals who wish to be placed on the Registry; there will also be a fee for those who request that FMCS appoint a neutral from the Registry or provide a list of neutrals from the Registry. The funds generated by these fees will be used for the purpose of covering the costs associated with the ANI.
The ANI regulation contains ten (10) subparts and two (2) Appendices. They are as follows:
Subpart A addresses the policy pertaining to administration of the ANI, the authority for implementing this regulation and sets forth the definitions of terms to be utilized in the regulation. Consistent with FMCS policy on neutrals, individuals who are included on the Registry of Neutrals cannot be engaging in work as an advocate in the area of labor relations.
Subpart B outlines the standards and requirements for individuals listed on the Registry of Neutrals, as well as the responsibilities of FMCS. The subpart also sets forth that the neutral is not acting in a capacity as an employee of the federal government, that he/she has a direct relationship with the parties who are employing him/her to conduct the case and that the neutral does not retain a right to be listed on the Registry. The subpart also addresses the criteria an individual must satisfy to be included on the Registry. The application process requires an executed application and a review of the individual's fulfillment of requirements in the form of awarded points for education/training and experience. Applicants who meet the requirements will then be recommended to Director of the Agency for possible inclusion of the Registry.
Subpart C addresses the process by which the clients of FMCS will select neutrals from the Registry of Neutrals. A computerized system will be established from which information on neutrals will be listed; customers will be able to sort the neutrals by several different categories, including but not limited to geographical area, experience and fees charged. Selections from the Registry of Neutrals may be made by either obtaining information from the computerized system or through contacting FMCS. A fee will not be charged for obtaining a neutral from the computerized system; a fee equivalent to the fee for obtaining a panel of arbitrators from FMCS will be charged for obtaining a panel of neutrals or for appointing a neutral from the Registry of Neutrals.
Subpart D addresses fees charged by the FMCS to listed neutrals and the method by which neutrals may bill
Subpart E requires all listed individuals to advise FMCS of changes in his/her information and/or fee structure and comply with requests for documentation by the ANI. FMCS will supply pertinent information to prospective clients for selection purposes.
Subpart F establishes a complaint procedure for the ANI.
Subpart G outlines the collaborative process with educational programs to establish standards for pre-accreditation. FMCS will work with educational institutions and training facilities to review the programs' number of contact hours, experience of classroom instructors, and method of instruction to determine if the program will be preaccredited by FMCS. Educational institutions and training facilities will participate in this program on a voluntary basis; the institutions will pay a fee to cover the pre-accreditation expenses.
Appendix A sets forth the application fee, the listing fee and the fee for pre-accreditation of ADR programs to be charged by FMCS.
Appendix B sets forth the point system for determining whether a neutral meets the standards for the FMCS Registry of Neutrals.
Submit copies of electronic comment to
Peggy A. McNeive, Acting Director of the Access to Neutrals Initiative, FMCS, 801 Walnut Street, Suite 501, Kansas City, MO 64106–1823. Telephone (816) 374–6215; Fax (816) 374–6026.
Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be claimed confidential by marking any part or all of the information as “CBI.” Information so marked will not be disclosed but a copy of the comment that does contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public record. FMCS may disclose information not marked confidential without prior notice. All written comments will be available for inspection at the address above from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.
All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the appropriate agency form number. No confidential business information (CBI) should be submitted through e-mail.
The Director, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 606(b)), has reviewed this regulation and by approving it certifies that this regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The fees assessed by FMCS for requests for panels are nominal and should not caused any significant economic effect on small entities which may request arbitration panels.
This regulation has been deemed significant under section 3(f)(4) of Executive Order 12866 and as such has been submitted to and reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small Governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
This rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with Foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets.
Access to neutrals; registry of neutrals, alternative dispute resolution.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, FMCS proposes to add 29 CFR part 1480 as follows:
29 U.S.C. 171–180, 182–183; 5 U.S.C. 571–584.
This part is issued by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) under Title II of the Labor Management Relations act of 1947 (Pub. L. 80–101), as amended; authority is also based on the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–320) 5 U.S.C., 571
FMCS was established in accordance with the labor policy of the United States, which promotes and encourages the amicable resolution of employment disputes between the parties, rather than submitting such disputes through the adversarial processes. Submission of employment disputes through alternate dispute resolution procedures is an important feature of constructive employment relations as alternatives to adversarial processes. FMCS is establishing the Access to Neutrals Initiative (ANI) in accordance with its mandate concerning the labor policy of the United States.
The Director of the FMCS has responsibility for all aspects of FMCS's ANI and is the final agency authority on all questions concerning the ANI and the procedures associated with it.
For purposes of this part:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(1) Compel parties to appear before a neutral;
(2) Enforce an agreement to submit a dispute to an ADR process;
(3) Compel parties to submit any issue to an ADR process;
(4) Influence, alter, or set aside agreements made by the parties during an ADR process;
(5) Compel, deny, or modify payment of compensation to a neutral.
(e)
(f)
(g)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(a)
(b)
(1) No longer meets the criteria for inclusion;
(2) Does not provide a certification to FMCS that the neutral does not engage in advocacy, as defined in this part;
(3) The individual has not conducted at least three (3) cases in the previous two (2) years in which an ADR process was utilized. It is not a requirement that these cases are ones in which the parties selected the neutral from the Registry of Neutrals maintained by FMCS.
(4) The neutral has not provided the names and contact information for all the parties in three (3) of the cases the neutral participated in during the last 2 years. It is imperative the neutral inform the parties that FMCS may be contacting them to obtain general information concerning the ADR process.
(5) The neutral has not submitted a certification that he/she has met the training requirements and a statement of the manner in which those requirements were met. Individuals on the Registry of Neutrals will be required to attend one (1) hour of ethics/professional conduct training and nine (9) hours of continuing education or training in conflict resolution.
(6) The neutral has been the subject of complaints by parties who use FMCS services and the Director, after conducting an appropriate investigation, concludes there is cause for refusing to renew the neutral's term.
(7) The neutral has failed to submit his/her fee for being listed on the FMCS Registry of Neutrals.
(c)
(d)
Nothing contained in this part should be construed to require any party who utilizes the services of FMCS to obtain a neutral from the computerized system established by FMCS or to contact FMCS to obtain a list of neutrals or the name of a neutral from FMCS to conduct ADR processes.
The OANI has been delegated the responsibility for administering the Registry of Neutrals. The OANI shall oversee the establishment and maintenance of the computerized selection process and administer the process for individual requests for FMCS to provide parties with a list of neutrals and/or the name of a neutral to handle a case.
FMCS shall establish and maintain a computerized selection system (selection system) listing the individuals on the Registry of Neutrals. Customers of FMCS shall be able to access the computerized selection system through the FMCS homepage or through a direct worldwide web address to the selection system site. Prior to obtaining access to the selection system, a user will be required to answer a short series of questions to establish the identity of the users of the system. The system will be set up to enable the users to select a neutral on the basis of several factors, for example, geographic region, experience in a particular field and fee charged. The parties will work with the selected neutral directly; the OANI does not need to be notified of the selection. The provision of a neutral from the selection system to either one or both of the parties does not signify the adoption of any position by the FMCS regarding the party's agreement to utilize ADR procedures or the matter in dispute.
As an alternative to the computerized selection system, parties may either request that FMCS provide them with a panel of neutrals or that FMCS appoint a neutral to work on the case. In order to request a panel of neutrals, the parties must file an individual or joint request in writing. In contrast, to request appointment of a neutral by FMCS, the parties must submit a joint request in writing. FMCS will utilize the Registry or Neutrals to provide the parties with a panel of neutrals and/or to select a neutral for the parties. The parties will work with the selected neutral directly; however, they should notify the OANI of the selection. The provision of a neutral from the selection system to either one or both of the parties does not signify the adoption of any position by the FMCS regarding the party's
(a) FMCS will provide the parties with a randomly selected list of neutrals from the geographic area in which the site of the dispute is located, unless otherwise requested from the parties;
(b) The parties may request neutrals based on other factors, such as experience in a particular area, however, any request for a list of neutrals, other than by geographic area, must be a joint request by the parties;
(c) If the parties do not agree on a neutral from the first panel, OANI will furnish a second and, if necessary, a third panel to the parties upon joint request accompanied by payment of an additional fee and a short explanation of why the parties could not agree on a neutral from the other panel(s). If parties are unable to agree on a selection after having received three (3) panels, the ORNI will make a direct appointment upon joint request.
FMCS reserves the right to decline to submit a panel or make appointment of a neutral, if the request submitted is overly burdensome or otherwise impracticable. FMCS, in such circumstances, may refer the parties to an FMCS mediator to assist in the design of an alternative solution. FMCS may also decline to service any requests from parties with a demonstrated history of non-payment of a neutrals fee or other behavior that interferes with the spirit or operation of the Registry of Neutrals process.
FMCS will not charge parties for the use of the electronic selection system. FMCS will charge the parties a nominal fee for all requests for lists, panels, appointment of neutrals and other major services, if the parties request such services from FMCS. A schedule of fees is included in Appendix A of this part.
FMCS will charge all neutrals an application fee at the time he/she submits his/her application for inclusion on the Registry of Neutrals. In addition, FMCS will charge all neutrals an annual fee at the time he/she renews his/her listing on the Registry of Neutrals. Appendix A of this part contains the schedule of application and annual listing fees.
All neutrals on the Registry of Neutrals may charge a per diem and other pre-determined fees for services, if the amount of the fee has been provided in advance to FMCS. Each neutral's maximum per diem and other fees are set forth on a biographical sketch which will be available on the selection system website and which will be submitted to the parties who request a panel of neutrals or the appointment of a neutral. The neutral shall not change any fee or add charges without giving at least thirty (30) days advance written notice to FMCS. Neutrals with dual addresses must bill the parties for travel expenses from the least expensive business address to the hearing site.
Neutrals will divulge all charges to the parties and obtain agreement thereto immediately after selection or appointment for the case.
The OANI should be notified of any neutral's deviation from the policies expressed in this part. While the OANI does not resolve individual fee disputes, repeated complaints concerning the fees charged by a neutral will be brought to the attention of the Director for consideration. Similarly, repeated complaints by neutrals concerning non-payment of fees by the parties may lead to the denial of services or other actions by the OANI.
Individuals listed on the Registry of Neutrals shall execute and return all documents, forms and reports required by the OANI. They shall also keep the OANI informed of changes of address, telephone numbers, availability and of any business or other connection or relationship which involves employment relations or which creates or gives the appearance of advocacy as defined in § 1480.4.
The OANI will provide biographical sketches to the parties on each person admitted to the Registry of Neutrals from information supplied by applicants. Neutrals may request revision of biographical information at later dates to reflect changes in fees, the existence of additional charges, or other relevant data. The OANI reserves the right to decide and approve the format and content of the biographical sketches.
FMCS will establish a complaint procedure for the user of the Registry of Neutrals. The complaint procedure will be administered by the Director of FMCS or his/her designee.
Applicants for the Registry of Neutrals will be required to execute a statement agreeing to adhere to the Code of Professional Responsibility developed by FMCS and to cooperate with any and all FMCS investigations, in the event a complaint is filed against the neutral.
FMCS will address and/or investigate all complaints and take appropriate actions, up to and including the permanent exclusion of a neutral from the Registry, based on the nature and severity of the complaint and the results of the investigation. FMCS reserves the right to determine, on a case by case basis, whether it is appropriate to conduct an independent investigation of a complaint, if a similar complaint has been filed against the neutral in a different forum.
The OANI will collaborate with universities and training programs to institute educational programs designed to assist the applicants in obtaining the maximum points possible under the Point System for Determining Qualifications for the FMCS Registry of Neutrals. FMCS will make available to every institute the opportunity to apply for pre-accreditation. Programs of educational institutions and/or training providers will be pre-accredited for a specific number of points under the Point System. During the application process, if an applicant provides documentation that he/she successfully completed the program, he/she will be awarded the number of points assigned to the educational institution or training provider during the pre-accreditation process.
A pre-accreditation examination will include a review of the minimum amount of curriculum time, practicum, and the qualifications of the instructors. Criteria for accreditation will include:
(a) The number of credit hours or contact hours, hours of class instruction, provided under the program. Classroom
(b) A course of instruction that provides a coordinated and comprehensive overview of ADR theory and practice.
(c) Practicum that includes a method of objective evaluation individualized feedback for the student.
(d) Staff qualifications, which include but are not limited to, the overall staff being trained in the theory and practice of ADR techniques and workplace issues.
A review of the programs for educational institutions for the purpose of pre-accreditation will occur every three (3) years; a review of the programs for training providers for the purpose of pre-accreditation will occur every two (2) years.
FMCS will offer a comprehensive training program for the purpose of providing the applicants the opportunity to obtain the maximum number of points under the Point System for Determining Qualifications for the FMCS Registry of Neutrals. Applicants will not be required to attend the FMCS program, nor will applicants who attend the program be given preferential treatment over pre-accredited providers.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A list of the categories in which a candidate is able to obtain points towards selection for the FMCS Registry of Neutrals is set forth in this Appendix. A minimum of 10 points will be required for inclusion on the FMCS Registry of Neutrals.
1.
9 points: Substantial ADR experience with large and complex cases of significance (large money cases, large number of complex issues or complex relationships between the parties, cases of national significance)
7 points: Conduct or co-conduct 120 ADR procedures in employment dispute cases
5 points: Conduct or co-conduct 80 employment cases or 120 other cases, of which 40 must be employment cases
3 points: Conduct or co-conduct 40 employment cases or 80 other cases, of which 20 must be employment cases
1 point: Conduct or co-conduct 20 employment cases or 50 other cases, of which 10 must be employment cases
* ADR experience may include acting as a third party neutral in any dispute procedure that is used in lieu of adjudication to resolve issues in controversy including, but not limited to, settlement negotiations, conciliation, facilitation, mediation, fact-finding, mini-trials or any combination thereof. For the purpose of this application, arbitration is specifically excluded from the definition of alternative dispute resolution procedure. To count as a case, the neutral must have been present for at least one face-to-face, or electronic meeting, between/among participants.
2.
5 points: Documentation of successful completion of an established academic course of study in conflict resolution conducted by FMCS, its academic partners or other academic institutions, with a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who has observed the applicant in an ADR session, or documentation that the alternative dispute resolution program met equivalent standards as those accredited by FMCS. A course must include at least 200 classroom hours of instruction and role-play to be considered as an established course of study in conflict resolution.
3 points: 160 hours of documented training in conflict resolution with proof of individualized feedback in ADR procedures practice or role-play
1 point: 120 hours of documented training in conflict resolution with proof of individualized feedback in ADR procedures practice or role-play
3.
2 points: 10 years of experience in workplace conflict resolution. Examples: employment law attorney, human resource director, labor organization representative, equal employment opportunity specialist
1 point: 5 years of experience in workplace conflict resolution
4.
2 points: Possesses a significant educational background in the employment or dispute resolution area (degree or in roster area, such as labor-management relations, human resource management, employment law, etc.)
1 point: Attendance in a documented introductory training program of at least 40 hours of classroom hours in the workplace area.
** Educators can be awarded points in these areas for teaching; however, they can not be awarded points for teaching the same class more than once; they can be awarded points for teaching more than one class in the area, as long as it does not cover substantially the same material.