Pension Lawsuit Court-Ordered Mediation Update 2:30 P.M. Wednesday, February 12, 2014

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

News provided by

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Feb 10, 2014, 11:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the joint request of attorneys for the State and for Rhode Island public employee unions, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) today announced that the parties will hold a press conference in Providence, RI on Wednesday, February 12 to report on the ongoing court-ordered mediation to resolve pension litigation.

FMCS has been providing court-ordered mediation, at the joint request of the parties, in an attempt to settle numerous lawsuits. The cases involve literally thousands of public employees who, in 2012, challenged the Rhode Island Retirement Security Act of 2011.

"Court-ordered mediation is a common, widely-used dispute resolution mechanism with a long track record of success in the United States," said John Arnold, Public Affairs Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. "After more than a year, the parties are continuing to work cooperatively, and it is the appropriate time to update Rhode Islanders."

PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS:

WHO: Representatives from Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and attorneys representing plaintiffs and defendants

WHEN: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Department of Administration, Conference Room A, Providence, Rhode Island

The U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent U.S. government agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 10 district offices and 68 field offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.

Web site: www.fmcs.gov

SOURCE Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service