# Federal Register #2026-20820

FLRA voluntary mediation program for negotiability disputes

**Buyer:** Federal Labor Relations Authority
**Posted:** October 13, 2026
**Identifier:** 2026-20820

The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) approved a voluntary mediation program for resolving federal-sector negotiability disputes.
- **Government buyer:** Federal Labor Relations Authority; no sub-agency or office is specified.
- **Program administrator:** Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
- **Purpose:** Confidential mediation to help resolve disputes under section 7117(c) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute.
- **Participation:** Voluntary; parties may jointly request mediation, or the FLRA may refer a case. The FLRA pauses case processing during mediation and resumes it if the dispute is not fully resolved.
- **Procurement:** No products or procurement services are requested; this notice describes a program rather than a purchasing opportunity.

### Description

The Federal Labor Relations Authority approved a voluntary mediation program administered by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The program is intended to help parties resolve negotiability disputes under section 7117(c) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute. Mediation is confidential and voluntary; parties may jointly request it after a union files a petition, or the Authority may refer a matter to FMCS. The Authority will pause processing while mediation is underway and resume processing if the dispute is not fully settled.

[View original listing](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/13/2026-20820/approved-initiation-of-a-voluntary-mediation-program)