FMA ANNOUNCES MEMBERSHIP ON NEWLY-FORMED NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FEDERAL LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS - December 9, 2009

Executive Order issued by President Obama aims to strengthen relations between labor and management.

Alexandria, VA - The Federal Managers Association (FMA) commends the Obama administration for issuing an Executive Order establishing a National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations to improve the relationship between management and labor throughout the federal government. Per the Executive Order, FMA's National President will serve as a member of the Council.

The Executive Order is similar, but not identical, to an order issued by the Clinton administration in 1993 (Executive Order 12871) which created a Labor-Management Partnership but was rescinded by President George W. Bush in 2001.

"As a participant in the partnership in the past, FMA is once again pleased to take an active role in this important forum which strives to not only strengthen the relationship between managers and employees, but also to develop policies which serve the American people in the most efficient manner," commented FMA National President Darryl Perkinson.

Specifically, the Council "shall advise the President on matters involving labor-management relations" in the Executive Branch under the guidance of its co-chairs, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget. In addition to the National Council, the Executive Order also allows the head of each executive agency or department to create agency-level labor-management forums to identify problems and craft solutions to better serve the public and achieve agency missions.

Perkinson cautioned that when establishing these agency-level forums, first and second line managers and supervisors must be included in order for the forums to be fully successful. While this occurred in some agencies under the previous executive order, the partnership failed on an agency level where front-line managers were not included.

"As those responsible for carrying out the policies of the agency, managers and supervisors bring a unique and vital perspective to the table," stated Perkinson. "FMA believes that any forum allowing maximum participation of stakeholders, prior to decisions being made, improves the chances for success exponentially."

Perkinson expressed optimism the Council will build on the constructive and beneficial relationships established under the previous partnership.

"We saw firsthand the successes such a council can generate," Perkinson concluded. "We look forward to reinstating this good work under President Obama's leadership."

To view a copy of the Executive Order, please visit the White House Web site at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-creating-labor-management-forums-improve-delivery-government-servic.