The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) President Randy Erwin has expressed concerns over the future of the federal mediation panel that handles disagreements and President Trump’s recent appointment of members that have a reputation for being anti-union.  

There are seven members on the Federal Service Impasses Panel and they were recently announced at the round-up of White House appointments and nominations.   Panel members are not confirmed by the Senate – giving the president the final word on the panel. 

According to Erwin, the selection of panel members shows “a common disdain for the labor community.   “The Trump administration pulled out all of the stops on this one.   The diversity of this panel ranges from people who publicly campaign against unions to people that actively litigate against unions.   I have little faith that this panel can properly evaluate a dispute without inherent bias or personal ideology interfering.  ”

The panel is an arbitrator of disputes that arise between unions and federal agencies from the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations statute and the Federal Employees Flexible and Compressed Schedules Act.   If one of the agencies and the union are unable to settle a dispute through bargaining or mediation, the panel takes over and resolves the matter. 

Panel members are appointed to five year terms, but can be fired at any time by the president. 

According to a spokesperson from NFFE, the panel has traditionally moved right and left ideologically over the years.   President Obama appointed members that were more pro-union than President Bush, but in this case, according to the spokesperson, President Trump’s picks lacked the extensive experience in mediation and arbitration that previous appointees had.   He called it a healthy mix during the Bush administration, but railed over the current appointees.