[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 82 (Friday, April 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18626-18627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10377]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed extension of the ``Mass Layoff Statistics (MLS) 
Program Survey.''
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addresses 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before June 25, 1996.
    BLS is particularly interested in comments which help the agency 
to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumption used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Karin G. Kurz, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. 20212. Ms. Kurz can be 
reached on 202-606-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 462(e) of PL 97-300, the Job Training Partnership Act 
(JTPA), provides that the Secretary of Labor develop and maintain 
statistical data relating to permanent mass layoffs and plant closings 
and issue an annual report. The report is to include, at a minimum, the 
number of plant closings and mass layoffs, and the number of workers 
affected. The data are summarized by geographical area and industry.
    The MLS program uses a standardized automated approach to identify, 
describe, and track the impact of major job cutbacks. The program 
utilizes, to the greatest degree possible, existing Unemployment 
Insurance (UI) records and computerized data files, supplemented by 
direct employer contact. Its major features include:
     The identification of major layoffs and closings through 
initial UI claims filed against the identified employer;
     The use of existing files on claimants to obtain basic 
demographic and economic characteristics on the individual;
     The telephone contact of those employers meeting mass 
layoff criteria to obtain specific information on the nature of the 
layoff and characteristics of the establishment;
     The identification of the continuing impact of the mass 
layoff on individuals by matching affected initial claimants with 
persons in claims status; and,
     The measurement of the incidence of the exhaustion of 
regular State UI benefits by affected workers.
    In the program, State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) submit a 
comprehensive report each quarter, and a preliminary, summary report 
each month. These computerized reports contain information from State 
administrative files and information obtained from those employers 
meeting the program criteria of a mass layoff.
    Congress provided for the implementation of the MLS program by BLS 
through fiscal years 1984-1992 appropriations for the Departments of 
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies. The 
program was not operational in fiscal years 1993 and 1994. Program 
operation resumed in fiscal years 1995 and 1996 with funds provided by 
the Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
    At the present time, all States (including the District of Columbia 
and Puerto Rico) are participating in the program.

II. Current Actions

    The information collected and compiled in the MLS program is used 
to satisfy the reporting requirement legislatively mandated by Section 
462(e) of PL 97-300 (JTPA). The BLS annual reports from this program 
meet that statutory mandate, as well as provide economic analyses of 
these data.
    In addition to the BLS uses of MLS data, such data are required by 
Congress, the Executive branch, business, labor, and academic 
communities, SESAs, and the Department of Labor for both macro- and 
micro-economic analysis, including specific labor market studies geared 
towards manpower assistance and

[[Page 18627]]

development. Moreover, Congress used these data in conjunction with the 
findings from a supplemental study of layoff actions in the development 
of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act that 
was enacted in August 1988. Furthermore, ETA uses MLS micro data in the 
evaluation of dislocated worker programs to assess the effectiveness of 
those activities and services.
    A congressionally mandated use of mass layoff data is the Economic 
Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance Act of 1988 (EDWAA), which 
amended Title III of JTPA. Section 302 of EDWAA provides for allocation 
of Title III funds to States on the basis of MLS data and encourages 
the use of MLS data in substate allocations.
    State agencies use the MLS data in various ways, including the 
identification of: geographic areas in need of special manpower 
services; ailing or troubled industries; specific employers needing 
assistance; outreach activities for the unemployed; and workers in need 
of temporary health care services.
    There is no other comprehensive source of statistics on either 
establishments or workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closings; 
therefore, none of the aforementioned data requirements could be 
fulfilled if this data collection did not occur.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Mass Layoff Statistics Program.
    OMB Number: 1220-0090.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions; Farms; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Total Respondents: 15,652.
    Frequency: State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) will report 
quarterly and monthly. Affected employers will report on occasion.
    Total Responses: 16,432.
    Average Time Per Response: 60 Minutes for SESAs. 30 Minutes for 
employers.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 73,320 Hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of April, 1996.
Peter T. Spolarich,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 96-10377 Filed 4-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-M