Trump's Mediator Purge Paralyzes Labor Peace as Strikes Surge

Paul Riverbank, 6/29/2025The Trump administration's drastic reduction of federal mediators from 143 to just four has created a crisis in labor dispute resolution. This gutting of the FMCS comes at a critical time when worker activism is surging, threatening to prolong strikes and destabilize labor relations across multiple industries. The situation demands immediate attention.

The Dismantling of Federal Mediation: A Crisis in American Labor Relations

Walking through the empty halls of what was once a bustling Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service office in Washington, you'd never guess this space previously housed over 140 mediators working tirelessly to resolve labor disputes across America. Today, just four remain.

I've spent the past week investigating how this dramatic reduction in federal mediators under the current administration is rippling through our economy. The numbers tell a stark story - from 143 mediators nationwide to a skeleton crew of four. But the real impact goes far deeper than statistics.

Take the ongoing situation at Butler Hospital in Rhode Island. Last Tuesday, I sat down with Sarah Martinez, a nurse of 15 years, who described how the strike has dragged on weeks longer than necessary. "We're ready to talk," she told me, "but there's literally no one available to mediate."

The timing couldn't be more problematic. Labor activism has exploded - nearly 459,000 workers participated in major work stoppages last year, a staggering 280% increase from 2022. While 2024 has seen slightly fewer strikes, we're still well above historical averages.

What's particularly troubling is how this shortage creates a domino effect. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strike - now the longest-running in the country - offers a perfect example. Despite court-mandated bargaining requirements, negotiations remain stalled. Why? No mediators are available to facilitate the discussions.

I reached out to several labor experts about alternative solutions. Eve Weinbaum from UMass Amherst's Labor Center highlighted a critical challenge: while private mediators exist, establishing their neutrality and credibility proves difficult without federal backing.

Some organizations have gotten creative. Brown University Health managed to secure a retired federal mediator for their negotiations. But as one hospital administrator admitted to me off the record, "We got lucky. Most aren't finding anyone."

The legal system has taken notice. Rhode Island's Attorney General Peter F. Neronha didn't mince words when we spoke last week: "This isn't just about Butler Hospital anymore. We're seeing impacts across every sector."

Looking ahead, the situation appears increasingly unsustainable. Union election petitions have doubled since 2021, suggesting more - not fewer - mediators will be needed. As AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler pointed out during our recent interview, "These cuts don't just hurt labor - they're bad for business too."

While Judge McConnell's preliminary injunction offers some hope, the damage is already done. As I write this, dozens of labor disputes remain in limbo, workers go without paychecks, and businesses struggle with mounting costs of temporary staff.

The gutting of federal mediation services represents more than just budget cuts - it's a fundamental shift in how America handles labor relations. And from where I sit, the costs of this experiment far outweigh any perceived savings.

Paul Riverbank is a political analyst and labor relations correspondent based in Washington, D.C.

The Dismantling of Federal Mediation: A Crisis in American Labor RelationsWalking through the empty halls of what was once a bustling Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service office in Washington, you'd never guess this space previously housed over 140 mediators working tirelessly to resolve labor disputes across America. Today, just four remain.I've spent the past week investigating how this dramatic reduction in federal mediators under the current administration is rippling through our economy. The numbers tell a stark story - from 143 mediators nationwide to a skeleton crew of four. But the real impact goes far deeper than statistics.Take the ongoing situation at Butler Hospital in Rhode Island. Last Tuesday, I sat down with Sarah Martinez, a nurse of 15 years, who described how the strike has dragged on weeks longer than necessary. "We're ready to talk," she told me, "but there's literally no one available to mediate."The timing couldn't be more problematic. Labor activism has exploded - nearly 459,000 workers participated in major work stoppages last year, a staggering 280% increase from 2022. While 2024 has seen slightly fewer strikes, we're still well above historical averages.What's particularly troubling is how this shortage creates a domino effect. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strike - now the longest-running in the country - offers a perfect example. Despite court-mandated bargaining requirements, negotiations remain stalled. Why? No mediators are available to facilitate the discussions.I reached out to several labor experts about alternative solutions. Eve Weinbaum from UMass Amherst's Labor Center highlighted a critical challenge: while private mediators exist, establishing their neutrality and credibility proves difficult without federal backing.Some organizations have gotten creative. Brown University Health managed to secure a retired federal mediator for their negotiations. But as one hospital administrator admitted to me off the record, "We got lucky. Most aren't finding anyone."The legal system has taken notice. Rhode Island's Attorney General Peter F. Neronha didn't mince words when we spoke last week: "This isn't just about Butler Hospital anymore. We're seeing impacts across every sector."Looking ahead, the situation appears increasingly unsustainable. Union election petitions have doubled since 2021, suggesting more - not fewer - mediators will be needed. As AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler pointed out during our recent interview, "These cuts don't just hurt labor - they're bad for business too."While Judge McConnell's preliminary injunction offers some hope, the damage is already done. As I write this, dozens of labor disputes remain in limbo, workers go without paychecks, and businesses struggle with mounting costs of temporary staff.The gutting of federal mediation services represents more than just budget cuts - it's a fundamental shift in how America handles labor relations. And from where I sit, the costs of this experiment far outweigh any perceived savings.Paul Riverbank is a political analyst and labor relations correspondent based in Washington, D.C.