About

Arbitrator Gonzalez is an experienced bilingual (English/Spanish) Labor Arbitrator, Mediator, and dispute resolution trainer.  Arbitrator Gonzalez has extensive experience in dispute resolution having started in the field in 2000. He has served as a Commissioner with the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service from 2000 to 2012, through which he has mediated negotiations of collective bargaining agreements, initial contracts, strikes, lockouts, grievances, equal employment opportunity charges and supervisor discipline “Postal 650” cases for the United States Postal Service.

Arbitrator Gonzalez has extensive joint labor/management training experience. He has provided training in many areas, including joint labor management committees, interest-based bargaining, CBA administration, and interpersonal conflicts and diversity. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Arbitrator Gonzalez has provided training programs in coordination with the the International Labor Organization, the labor branch of the United Nations, to provide multiple tripartite (labor, management and government) trainings in Peru, Argentina, and Colombia. 

Arbitrator Gonzalez has also worked as a neutral mediator in public, private, and federal sectors. His industry experience includes negotiations in Aerospace, manufacturing, hotel & stadiums, entertainment, construction, rubbish, warehousing, transportation, and health care.

Industries covered include Medical, Manufacturing/Construction, Hotel & Service, Aerospace, Food, Transportation, Public Sector & Fed Sector Issues: Discipline, Termination, Jurisdiction, Successorship, and Contract Interpretation.  Issues include but not limited to: Absenteeism; arbitrability; bargaining unit work; on/off duty conduct; demotions; discipline (non-discharge); discipline (discharge); discrimination based on age, disability, race, sex, religion, national origin; drug/alcohol violations; Fringe Benefits regarding bonuses, holidays, insurance, leave, vacation; grievance mediations; health/hospitalization; hiring practices, job performance, job posting/bidding, jurisdictional disputes; layoffs/ bumping/ recall; management rights; official time; past practice; pension and welfare plans; promotions; retirement; safety/health conditions; seniority; sexual harassment; strikes, lockouts, work stoppages, slowdowns; subcontracting/ contracting out; tenure/reappointment; union security; Wages regarding cost of living pay, holiday pay, incentive pay, job classifications and rates, merit pay, OT pay, severance pay, vacation pay; work hours/schedules/assignments; working conditions/work orders; and violence or threats.

Permanent Panels: AAA Labor Arbitration, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service Arbitrator Roster, AAA Compact Gaming Tribes, Kaiser Permanente & CNA/UNAC/SEIU-UHW, UNITE HERE Local 11 Panels, Arbitration Panels Pension & Health Fund, LAUSD Hearing Officer, US Postal Service & APWU Panel. 

2019 – Present:   Executive Director of Southern CA Labor & Employment Relations  Assoc.  2000 – Present:   Member of the State Bar of California  
2016 only           President, Orange County Labor & Employment Relations Association
2014 – 2019:       Board Member, Orange County Labor & Employment Relations Assoc. 

Awards:
National Labor Relations Board Region 31 (Oct 6, 2011)
For Outstanding Leadership, to thank you for your outstanding presentation with this award of excellence
California Association of Labor Relations Officers  (June 2009)
From the Los Angeles Police Department Division of Labor Relations Officers, a plaque presented to Commissioner Gonzalez for speaking at their annual meeting in Palm Springs, CA. Certificate reads, “Thank you for your support to the California association of Labor Relations Officers. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.”
Board of Fire Commissioners Resolution No. 1210 (August 2006 to 2007)
From the Los Angeles Fire Department, Board of Fire Commissioners, a certificate of appreciation presented to Commissioner Juan Carlos Gonzalez of the FMCS for facilitation and mediation provided in the Stakeholder process addressing duties arising from the Audit Action Plan. The Stakeholders included but was not limited to active participation from the Major’s Office, the Fire Commission, LAFD executive, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles, Chief Officers Association, Los Bomberos, The Centurions, and The Sirens. Certificate reads in part, “We hereby commend the extraordinary leadership and outstanding service, which he provided to the Los Angeles Fire Department; and present this Resolution as a small measure of gratitude for his labor and success in this endeavor.”
City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation (October 2006)                             
From the Los Angeles City Council, a certificate of appreciation presented to Commissioner Juan Carlos Gonzalez of the FMCS. Whereas, Commissioner Gonzalez has dedicated his time and effort to improve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation through Joint Labor Management Committees at the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks; …. We commend Commissioner Gonzalez for his continued hard work and outstanding service to the City of Los Angeles. Thank you and best wishes on your continued success. Signed by Councilmembers Tom Labonge, Ed P. Reyes, and Jose Huizar.
Special Act or Service “Spot” Awards (2001(3 awards), 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010)                             
From FMCS: In recognition of exceptional contributions to FMCS for collective bargaining mediations and Joint Labor Management trainings. 
Certificate of Appreciation (October 2004)                             
From the Los Angeles County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Services, Inc. (DRS) In recognition of your commitment to Alternative Dispute Resolution and in volunteering at the 2004 Peer Mediator “Youth Initiative” DRS is honored to recognize your commitment to our youth and schools program. Gandhi’s “If we wish to create a lasting peace, we must begin with children.” DRS believes to successfully accomplish the goal of a peaceful society, educating children in conflict resolution is the first order of business.
Acknowledgement of Appreciation (March 2004)                             
From the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks: In recognition for tremendous effort, constancy, and sagacity in creating the environment for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks committee to fulfill its’ missions and goals regarding the recreation assistants transition plan with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Dist. Council 36.

Arbitrator Gonzalez received his LLM in Tax Law from Loyola Law School, his JD from Whittier Law School and his Masters in Psychology from California State Univeristy, Los Angeles. He has had the honor of being an adjunct professor for the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine Law School teaching Mediation 101 and Psychology of Conflict as well as an adjuct for California State Univeristy, Fullerton teaching Labor Negotiations.