[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 4 (Friday, January 5, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-163]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Labor-Management Programs

29 CFR Part 215

RIN 1294-AA14


Guidelines, Section 5333(b), Federal Transit Law

AGENCY: Office of Labor-Management Programs, Office of the American 
Workplace, Labor.

ACTION: Deferral of effective date.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Labor-Management Programs is deferring the 
effective date of implementation of guidelines for the employee 
protection program under Title 49 U.S.C., Chapter 53, Section 5333(b) 
of the Federal Transit law, which is currently January 8, 1996. The 
extension will add a time period to the January 8, 1996 date equal to 
the duration of the furlough caused by the partial government shutdown 
that began on December 16, 1995. The effective date of the guidelines 
will be the first business day after this extension. This action is 
being taken because the furlough of Department of Labor (the 
Department) employees responsible for the administration of this 
program precludes the Office of Labor-Management Programs from 
undertaking the necessary staff training and preparation of materials 
and documents to allow for implementation of the guidelines.

DATES: The effective date of the guidelines is the first business day 
following an extension from January 8, 1996, such extension to be 
calculated by adding the total number of days of the furlough which 
began on December 16, 1995. The Department will publish a document in 
the Federal Register confirming the new effective date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelley Andrews, Director, Statutory 
Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 
N-5411, Washington, DC 20210, (202) 219-4473.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Rationale

    On December 7, 1995, the Office of Labor-Management Programs, 
Office of the American Workplace, published final guidelines for 
administration of the transit employee protection program pursuant to 
Section 5333(b) of the Federal Transit law, commonly referred to as 
``Section 13(c).'' (FR Vol. 60, No. 235, pg. 62964.) The guidelines 
were to become effective January 8, 1996.
    In view of the ongoing furlough of employees of the Department who 
are responsible for the implementation of these new guidelines, it will 
be impossible to implement the guidelines on January 8, 1996. The 
Department is hereby extending the effective implementation date. The 
extension will add a time period to the January 8, 1996 date equal to 
the duration of the furlough that began on December 16, 1995. The 
effective date of the guidelines will be the first business day after 
this extension.
    The Department has taken this action in recognition of its 
obligations to the transit industry and the transit employees for whom 
these protections are provided. The extension is designed to ensure 
effective and efficient implementation of the new guidelines. The 
furlough prevented the preparation of explanatory material and 
documents for staff and the public and interrupted training of 
necessary staff, thus delaying instituting procedures for a more timely 
and predictable certification process. This extension is intended to 
help assure that the Department's customers are well-served and 
statutory responsibilities are properly conducted.

II. Publication in Final

    The Department finds public comment on this referral to be 
impracticable and unnecessary because the Department is forced to take 
this action due to the furlough, caused by the partial government 
shutdown, of the Department employees who administer this program. 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B).

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 215

    Grant administration; Grants--transportation; Labor-management 
relations; Labor unions; Mass transportation.

    Accordingly, the amendment of 29 CFR Chapter II published at FR 
Vol. 60, No. 235, pg. 62964 is deferred until the first business day 
following an extension from January 8, 1996, such extension to be 
calculated by adding the total number of days of the furlough which 
began on December 16, 1995.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 2nd day of January, 1996.
Charles L. Smith,
Deputy Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-163 Filed 1-4-96; 8:45 am]
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