[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 138 (Thursday, July 22, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 38627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14929]


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FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE

29 CFR 1402

RIN 3076-AA16


Notice to Mediation Agency

AGENCY: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), hereby 
publishes notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit comments on the 
following modification to the submission method of information 
collection request, Notice to Mediation Agency, (Agency Form F-7). FMCS 
proposes to change its method of submission from mail-in to electronic 
submission. In addition, FMCS proposes to remove the language from the 
Form F-7.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 23, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments through one of the following 
methods:
     Email: Arthur Pearlstein, [email protected].
     Mail: Arthur Pearlstein, HQ Office of Arbitration, One 
Independence Square, 250 E St. SW, Washington, DC 20427. Please note 
that as of September 11, 2020, the FMCS office is not open for visitors 
and mail is not checked daily. Therefore, we encourage emailed 
inquiries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arthur Pearlstein, Director, 
Arbitration, Notice Processing, Shared Neutrals, [email protected], 
202-606-8103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    This modification will change the submission process of information 
collection request, Notice to Mediation Agency, (Agency Form F-7) from 
mail-in to electronic submission. This revision is necessary to 
increase efficiency of FMCS both by allowing FMCS to receive Agency 
Form F-7's more quickly, but also to reduce processing time. This will 
allow the Service to provide its services to the parties more quickly. 
This revision will also remove the language which includes the verbiage 
of the Form-F7, to allow for FMCS to modify the form, if necessary, 
without necessitating additional rule change.

II. Authority for This Rulemaking

    FMCS' authority to issue rules is found in 29 U.S.C. 172 of Taft 
Harley Act of 1947. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority.

III. Comments Invited

    FMCS solicits comments to
    (i) Evaluate whether the proposed change of submission from mail-in 
to electronic is necessary, including whether the change will have 
practical utility.
    (ii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
collection submission process.
    (iii) Minimize the burden of the collections of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic collection technologies or other forms of information 
technology.

IV. Discussion of Proposed Amendments Section by Section

    The following describes the specific changes proposed by this 
rulemaking:
     FMCS revises the language ``shall be in writing.'' to 
``electronically via a platform provided by FMCS. If electronic 
submission creates an undue hardship, the filer may contact the FMCS 
Notice Processing office to explain the circumstances and receive 
assistance.''
     FMCS revises the language ``The following Form F-7, for 
use by the parties in filing a notice of dispute, has been prepared by 
the Service:'' to ``The Form F-7, for use by the parties in filing a 
notice of dispute, has been prepared by the Service.''
     FMCS removes the form titled ``Notice to Mediation 
Agencies''.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1402

    Information Collection Requests.

    In consideration of the foregoing, FMCS proposed to amend 29 CFR 
1402.1 as follows:

0
1. The authority citation for part 1402 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 202, 61 Stat. 153, sec. 3, 80 Stat. 250, sec. 
203, 61 Stat. 153; 5 U.S.C. 552, 29 U.S.C. 172, 173.

0
2. Revise Sec.  1402.1 to read as follows:


Sec.  1402.1  Notice of Dispute.

    The notice of dispute filed with the Federal Mediation and 
Conciliation Service pursuant to the provisions of section 8(d)(3), of 
the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947, as amended, shall be 
submitted electronically via a platform provided by FMCS. If electronic 
submission creates an undue hardship, the filer may contact the FMCS 
Notice Processing office to explain the circumstances and receive 
assistance. The Form F-7, for use by the parties in filing a notice of 
dispute, has been prepared by the Service.

Sarah Cudahy,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2021-14929 Filed 7-21-21; 8:45 am]
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