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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Mediation

    The Bureau of Mediation promotes orderly and constructive workplace relationships.  We provide the mandatory mediation services required by the Pennsylvania Public Employe Relations Act 195 of 1970, mandatory mediation services required by Act 88 of 1992 regarding collective bargaining in public education, voluntary mediation services to parties subject to Act 111 of 1968 relating to Police and Fire collective bargaining, as well as labor mediation services for those in collective bargaining relationships between private sector employers and private sector employee organizations.

    Mediation Forms
    Apply to be listed on the BOM roster of arbitrators

    Overview

    The Bureau of Mediation has a staff of qualified and experienced labor mediators to assist in the resolution of collective bargaining impasses, resolve contractual disputes, and improve relationships between employers and employee organizations. The Bureau of Mediation provides mediation services during the process of collective bargaining, grievance mediation services, panels of qualified neutral arbitrators for grievance arbitration cases, and jointly requested voluntary card checks when appropriate.  The Bureau of Mediation also offers related training programs and educational presentations to assist labor relations practitioners and their clients or members.

    Bureau of Mediation Programs

    Additional Information

    Pennsylvania Labor Mediation Act and the Confidentiality of the Mediation Process

    The Pennsylvania Labor Mediation Act (PLMA), as amended, requires confidentiality in the mediation process. Section 4 of the Act reads, in part, as follows.

    “Information disclosed by a party to a mediator in the performance of mediation functions shall not be divulged voluntarily or by compulsion. All files, records, reports, documents or other papers received or prepared by a mediator while serving as such shall be classified as confidential. The mediator shall not produce any confidential records of, or testify in regard to, any mediation conducted by him on behalf of any party in any type of civil proceeding.”

    This requirement encourages parties in dispute to trust the mediation process and utilize the mediator effectively during their efforts to resolve their dispute or impasse without concern that information shared with the mediator might be publicized or prejudice their bargaining position.  It also avoids the potential that a mediator might be compelled to produce confidential information or provide testimony in a future dispute or related litigation of unresolved issues.  This provision of the PLMA protects all parties involved in the process, cultivates trust,  and provides a level of confidence as the mediator works with the parties to resolve their dispute in a confidential manner.

    Forms

    The Bureau of Mediation provides forms for labor and management services that you can download online. If you need a different version of a form, please contact the Bureau of Mediation at 717-787-2803.

    View Mediation Forms

    Contact us

    For quick responses, email the Bureau of Mediation Services at RA-LIBMED@pa.gov. Include your contact details. This is also the best way to submit official notices and requests to the Bureau of Mediation.

    You can also reach us at:

    Bureau of Mediation Headquarters Department of Labor & Industry
    651 Boas Street
    Harrisburg, PA 17121
    Phone: (717) 787-2803