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After federal staff cuts left only four mediators to handle labor disputes nationwide, California’s labor board is stepping in to support private-sector negotiations. The state’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), which usually works with public-sector unions, has already started taking on cases previously handled by the federal government. Unions and some employers welcome the move, saying a neutral third party is essential for avoiding strikes and maintaining stable negotiations. A proposed state bill would give PERB even more power, essentially letting it act like a state-level version of the National Labor Relations Board if the federal body is weakened further. Supporters see this as a necessary safety net, while critics of the federal cuts argue the move was shortsighted and risks greater labor unrest.