Final answer:
The agency responsible for helping to resolve negotiation impasses between federal agencies and unions is the Federal Service Impasse Panel (FSIP), which is part of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).
Step-by-step explanation:
The agency which provides assistance in resolving negotiation impasses between federal agencies and unions in the federal government is the Federal Service Impasse Panel (FSIP). The FSIP is a component of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), which administers federal labor-management relations laws; settles labor disputes; prevents unfair labor practices; and, importantly for this question, resolves negotiation impasses. When federal agencies and unions cannot reach agreement during their negotiations, the FSIP has the authority to help find solutions.
With the passing of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) were established, but these entities have different functions from the FSIP. OPM oversees the hiring of government employees, and MSPB investigates agency wrongdoing and hears appeals from government employees. The FSIP is specific to impasses in negotiations between federal agencies and unions. Therefore, option b, Federal Service Impasse Panel (FSIP), is the correct answer.
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