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Background Information

On October 19, 1993, James L. Witt, Director of FEMA, and the labor unions representing Agency employees formed a Labor-Management Partnership Council. The Council is comprised of seven union- appointed FEMA employees and nine Agency management representatives, including a chair appointed by Mr. Witt. Members will serve an 18-month term. In forming the partnership, Mr. Witt said:

"It opens the way for all involved parties to come together to identify problems, craft solutions, and make sure that we deliver the highest quality of services for safeguarding the American people."

The Council held its first meeting in January 1994. Subsequent meetings were held in March and May 1994. In addition, there were three telephone conference calls. Scheduled meetings will be held quarterly and conference calls as necessary. Council accomplishments to date include:

• Completed two training sessions entitled "Team Building, Effective Listening, and Problem Solving" and "Organizing for Quality Management."
• Examined at length how the Council should operate.
• Invited three FEMA officials to lead discussions at the March meeting on issues of particular interest to Agency employees: the Director of Human Resources Management discussed current Agency personnel issues. The Director of the Acquisition Management Division discussed the use of contractors; and a staff member from the Office of Policy and Assessment discussed Agency plans for reinvention laboratories and mini-labs.
• Formed a subcommittee to develop a process for how the Council can be more focused in dealing with Agency issues, particularly from the perspective of labor relations. A proposal was presented and voted on at the May 1994 meeting.
• Commented on proposed Agency actions that impact employees: Agency Safety and Health Policy; Reinvention Laboratory Strategy; and an employee reassignment process generated by recent Agency reorganization.
• Submitted the first Council Quarterly Report to the Director of FEMA.
• Participated in the FEMA Performance Management Working Group, which was created to explore ways to improve performance management in the Agency.
• Participated in the FEMA Budget Formulation Review Group, which was created to review the FY 1996 budget submissions.
• Formed a subcommittee to discuss training on an agency wide basis to educate employees on the role and function of the Council.

In the long term, the Council will refine the process on how it can provide advice to the FEMA Director and influence Agency policy. Members agree that the Council will address agency wide rather than site- specific issues. Examples of significant issues to be addressed include workplace quality/safety; training and career development; consistency in implementing Agency policy; personnel matters; and performance of the Agency mission.

Main NPR Category: Employee Empowerment

Contact Person: John D. Hwang

Contact Phone: (202) 646-3006

Contact Address: Federal Emergency Management Agency

500 C Street, SW

Washington, DC

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