Effective January 31, 2012, the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) amended its Rules and adopted a Mandatory Mediation procedure for all new cases filed with the Board.Therefore, all complaints filed before the Board will be submitted to mediation at the discretion of the Board. Mediation is an alternative to litigation and holds the potential to resolve, short of litigation, disputes that are brought before PERB.
In mediation, a mediator assists the parties in resolving their dispute. The mediator is a neutral third-party with no authority to make a decision. The value of mediation is that the parties themselves, with the help of the mediator, devise an agreement to resolve their dispute.
Resolving disputes through mediation may reduce litigation, thereby saving time and money to the parties involved in the dispute, as well as enhancing the operation of PERB and the moving parties. PERB recognizes the power of mediation; therefore, PERB considers mandatory mediation services for all matters submitted to the Board.
The Board’s mediation program is designed to create an atmosphere where the parties can negotiate an agreement that is acceptable to each party. Mediation offers the parties the opportunity to control the outcome of the matter by arriving at a mutually-agreeable settlement, rather than having the Board issue a Decision and Order which may be favorable to one party and adverse to the other.
Before the mediation, the parties are asked to consider their positions and be prepared to make reasonable concessions. In addition, each side is encouraged to listen to the other side’s point of view. This is crucial if a settlement is to be reached.
All statements made during the mediation session are confidential and will not be made part of the official record. If the parties cannot settle the matter through mediation, the matter will be adjudicated. Thus, neither party’s right to a resolution of the matter is compromised by attempting to rectify the matter through mediation.
Mandatory and Voluntary Mediation Process
Service Contact:
Public Employee Relations Board
Contact Email:
Contact Phone:
(202) 727-1822
Contact Fax:
(202) 727-9116
Contact TTY:
711
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:15 am to 4:45 pm