House votes to create dispute resolution program

The Merit Systems Protection Board decides federal employees' appeals against major agency personnel actions, including dismissals, demotions and reductions in force. The House-passed bill, H.R. 3312, would expand MSPB's jurisdiction by bringing cases to the board first, rather than on appeal. The voluntary program would use mediation, arbitration and mini-trials or combinations of these procedures to solve disputes.

"If it is successful, it will cut down on the number of cases that actually go to litigation because you will be resolving disputes and claims before the adverse action is taken and the need to go to litigation arises," an MSPB spokesman said.

The legislation also provides money for more staffers to help with the extra workload. According to MSPB, its staff of 65 administrative judges hears nearly 10,000 cases in a year.

Rep. George Gekas, R-Penn., the bill's sponsor, said the legislation "will help strengthen the current [alternative dispute resolution] system by lowering administrative costs to taxpayers, encouraging federal employees to particiapte in the program rather [than] litigating their disputes, and ensuring that experienced judges are retained."