US FMCS News

FMCS Contingency Plan for Operations Without Appropriations

FMCS published its signed contingency plan dated January 14, 2026, outlining how the agency would manage operations in the event of a lapse in appropriations. The plan provides for an orderly suspension of agency activities and identifies which operations are deemed excepted from suspension and therefore would continue. The plan is accessible via a linked PDF document on the FMCS website.

FMCS Contingency Plan for Lapse of Appropriations, January 2026

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service issued a contingency plan on January 14, 2026, establishing procedures for an orderly suspension of agency operations in the event of a lapse in appropriations. The plan, signed by General Counsel Anna Davis performing the duties of the Director, provides that most of the agency's 90 employees will be placed on leave, with 9 employees retained under Antideficiency Act exceptions. FMCS will continue providing mediation and conciliation services only for parties in critical industries—including defense, healthcare, and power generation—where the Agency Head determines that failure to offer services poses an imminent threat to life or property.