§183 Conciliation of Labor Disputes in the Health Care Industry

Summary

If the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service believes a threatened or actual strike or lockout at a health care facility will seriously interrupt local health care, the Director can set up an impartial Board of Inquiry. The Director must do this within 30 days after the notice to the Service that clause (3) of section 158(d) requires (the notice under clause (A) of its last sentence), or within 10 days after the notice under clause (B). The board must give a written report of facts and recommendations within 15 days. The Director decides how many members serve, and no member may have any interest in the health care institution or employee groups involved. Federal employees on the board get no pay but are reimbursed for travel and necessary expenses. Other members are paid as the Director sets, but not more than the daily rate for GS–18 under section 5332 of title 5, and they also get travel and expense reimbursement. After the board starts and until 15 days after its report, the parties must not change the status quo that existed before the contract expired (for renewals) or before the impasse (for initial bargaining), unless both sides agree. Money may be appropriated as needed to carry out these rules.