[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46108-46110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11543]


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FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE


Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service

ACTION: Notice of a modified system of records.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) uses 
this system to process requests for arbitration panels, including 
payment for requests, to process annual fees for each arbitrator, to 
maintain a roster of qualified, private labor arbitrators to hear 
disputes arising under collective bargaining agreements, and provide 
fact finding and interest arbitration. The notice amendment includes 
administrative updates to refine details published under SUMMARY, FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, SYSTEM MANAGER, 
ROUTINE USES, and the HISTORY section. These sections are amended to 
refine previously published information about the system of records. 
The dates, addresses, system name, security classification, system 
location, authority for maintenance of the system, purpose of the 
system, categories of individuals covered by the system, categories of 
records in the system, record source categories, policies and practices 
for storage of records, policies and practices for retrieval of 
records, policies and procedures for retention and disposal of records, 
administrative safeguards, record access procedures, contesting records 
procedures, notification

[[Page 46109]]

procedures, and exemptions promulgated remain unchanged. This amended 
SORN deletes and supersedes the SORN published in the Federal Register 
on March 24, 2022.

DATES: This system of records will be effective without further notice 
on June 27, 2024 unless otherwise revised pursuant to comments 
received. Comments must be received on or before June 27, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by FMCS-0008, by any of 
the following methods:
     Mail: Office of General Counsel, 250 E Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20427.
     Email: [email protected]. Include FMCS-0008 on the subject 
line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 606-5444.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Buffington, Client Services 
Manager, at [email protected], (202) 899-0323, or mail: The Office 
of Client Services, FMCS, 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20427.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice amendment includes administrative 
updates to refine details published under summary, for further 
information contact, supplementary information, system manager, routine 
uses, and the history section. These sections are amended to refine 
previously published information about the system of records. The 
dates, addresses, system name, security classification, system 
location, authority for maintenance of the system, purpose of the 
system, categories of individuals covered by the system, categories of 
records in the system, record source categories, policies and practices 
for storage of records, policies and practices for retrieval of 
records, policies and procedures for retention and disposal of records, 
administrative safeguards, record access procedures, contesting records 
procedures, notification procedures, and exemptions promulgated remain 
unchanged.
    The enabling legislation for FMCS provides that ``the settlement of 
issues between employers and employees through collective bargaining 
may advance by making available full and adequate governmental 
facilities for conciliation, mediation, and voluntary arbitration . . 
.'' 29 U.S.C. 171(b). Pursuant to the statute and 29 CFR part 1404, 
FMCS has long maintained a roster of qualified, private labor 
arbitrators to hear disputes arising under collective bargaining 
agreements and provide fact finding and interest arbitration. The 
existing regulation establishes the policy and administrative 
responsibility for the FMCS roster, criteria, procedures for listing 
and removing arbitrators, and procedures for using arbitration 
services.

SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
    FMCS-0008 Arbitration Records.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
    Unclassified.

SYSTEM LOCATION:
    Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Office of General 
Counsel (OGC), 250 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20427.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
    Kevin Buffington, Client Services Manager, Office of Client 
Services, email [email protected], call (202) 899-0323, and Arthur 
Pearlstein, Senior Mediator, Office of Client Services, email 
[email protected], call (202) 606-8103; or send mail to the Federal 
Mediation and Conciliation Service, Office of Client Service, 250 E 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20427, Attn: Kevin Buffington or Arthur 
Pearlstein.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    29 U.S.C. 172, et. seq. and 29 CFR part 1404.

PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
    The records in this system are used to collect, process, and 
maintain arbitrator panel reports, payment requests, annual fees, and 
arbitrator rosters. The system maintains a roster of qualified, private 
labor arbitrators to hear disputes arising under collective bargaining 
agreements and provide fact findings and interest arbitration.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
    The categories of individuals covered in the system are the public, 
FMCS clients, parties requesting an arbitration roster or services, 
arbitrators, applicants to be on the arbitration roster, and FMCS 
employees.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    The categories of records maintained in the system include the:
    (1) Records concerning requests for arbitrators including, but not 
limited to, the Request for Arbitration Panel (FMCS Form R-43). This 
form can be found at https://www.fmcs.gov/services/arbitration/requesting-a-panel/.
    (2) Records pertaining to arbitrator registration, including but 
not limited to, Arbitrators' Personal Data Questionnaire (FMCS Form R-
22), and records used to collect information from applicants submitted 
for consideration to the FMCS Arbitrator Review Board. This form can be 
found at https://www.fmcs.gov/services/arbitration/information-joining-arbitrator-roster/.
    (3) Records concerning case processing updates including, but not 
limited to, The Arbitrator's Report and Fee Statement (FMCS Form R-19). 
This form can be found at https://www.fmcs.gov/services/arbitration/information-fmcs-roster-arbitrators/.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    Information in this system of records is provided by:
    (1) Parties seeking to request an arbitration panel which may 
include the public, Federal, state, and local employees, Unions, and 
employers; and
    (2) Arbitrators provide information for registration and case 
processing updates.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OF USERS AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
    In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, all or a portion of these records or 
information contained in this system may be disclosed to authorized 
entities, as is determined to be relevant and necessary, outside the 
FMCS as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
    (a) To disclose pertinent information to the appropriate Federal, 
State, or local agency responsible for investigating, prosecuting, 
enforcing, or implementing a statute, rule regulation or order where 
the record, either alone or in conjunction with other information 
creates an indication of a violation or potential violation of civil or 
criminal laws or regulations.
    (b) To disclose information to the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) for use in its records management inspections; to 
the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for oversight purposes; to 
the Department of Justice (DOJ) to obtain that department's advice 
regarding disclosure obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA); or to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to obtain that 
office's advice regarding obligations under the Privacy Act.
    (c) To disclose information to the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) in records management inspections.
    (d) To disclose information to contractors, grantees, experts, 
consultants, detailers, and other non-Government employees performing 
or working on a contract, service, or other assignment for the Federal 
Government when necessary to accompany an

[[Page 46110]]

agency function related to this system of records.
    (e) To officials of labor organizations recognized under 5 U.S.C. 
Chapter 71 upon receipt of a formal request and in accordance with the 
conditions of 5 U.S.C. 7114 when relevant and necessary to their duties 
of exclusive representation concerning personnel policies, practices, 
and matters affecting working conditions.
    (f) To disclose information to a Member of Congress or a 
congressional office in response to an inquiry made on behalf of, and 
at the request of, an individual who is the subject of the record.
    (g) To disclose information when FMCS determines that the records 
are relevant to a proceeding before a court, grand jury, or 
administrative or adjudicative body when the adjudicator determines the 
records to be relevant to the proceeding.
    (h) To disclose information to another Federal agency, to a court, 
or to a party in litigation before a court or in an administrative 
proceeding being conducted by a federal agency when the Government is a 
party to the judicial or administrative proceeding. Such disclosure is 
permitted only when it is relevant and necessary to the litigation or 
proceeding.
    (i) To any agency, organization, or person for the purposes of 
performing audit or oversight operations related to the operation of 
this system of records as authorized by law, but only information 
necessary and relevant to such audit or oversight function.
    (j) To disclose information to appropriate agencies, entities, and 
persons when: (1) FMCS suspects or has confirmed that there has been a 
breach of the system of records; (2) FMCS has determined that as a 
result of the suspected or confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to 
individuals, FMCS (including its information systems, programs, and 
operations), the Federal Government, or national security; and (3) the 
disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably 
necessary to assist in connection with FMCS's efforts to respond to the 
suspected or confirmed breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such 
harm.
    (k) To another Federal agency or Federal entity, when FMCS 
determines that information from this system of records is reasonably 
necessary to assist the recipient agency or entity in: (1) responding 
to a suspected or confirmed breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or 
remedying the risk of harm to individuals, the recipient agency or 
entity (including its information systems, programs, and operations), 
the Federal Government, or national security, resulting from a 
suspected or confirmed breach.
    (l) To disclose information to arbitrators or parties to an 
arbitration concerning case processing, or to investigate allegations 
of arbitrator misconduct.
    (m) To disclose to professional organizations including, but not 
limited to, the American Arbitration Association, JAMS, or the National 
Academy of Arbitrators concerning application or suitability of an 
arbitrator.
    (n) To disclose aggregate data to other federal agencies, 
educational institutions, professional organizations, or FMCS clients 
who collaborate with FMCS to publish reports on aggregate data, to 
provide research or statistical information, services, or training 
concerning arbitration. This data may also be included in various 
public reports FMCS issues.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
    These records are maintained in hard copy and electronic form in 
locations only accessible to authorized personnel. Electronic records 
are stored on the agency's internal servers with restricted access to 
authorized Human Resources staff and designated deciding officials as 
determined by agency policy. Hard copy records are stored in a locked 
cabinet accessible to authorized Human Resources staff and designated 
deciding officials as determined by agency policy.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
    These records are retrieved by the name or other programmatic 
identifier assigned to an individual in the electronic database and 
paper filing system.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION OF DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
    All records are retained and disposed of in accordance with General 
Records Schedule 6.5, issued by the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA), and the Agency's Comprehensive Records Schedule 
approved by NARA.

ADMINSTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
    Records are located in a locked file storage area or stored 
electronically in locations only accessible to authorize personnel 
requiring agency security credentials. Access is restricted and 
accessible to limited Human Resources officials, and/or individuals in 
a need-to-know capacity. FMCS buildings are guarded and monitored by 
security personnel, cameras, ID checks, and other physical security 
measures.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
    Individuals wishing to request access to their records should 
contact the Office of General Counsel (OGC). Individuals must provide 
the following information for their records to be located and 
identified: (1) Full name, (2) Address, and (3) A specific description 
of the record content requested. See 29 CFR 1410.3, Individual access 
requests.

CONTESTING RECORDS PROCEDURES:
    See 29 CFR 1410.6, Requests for correction or amendment of records, 
on how to contest the content of any records. Privacy Act requests to 
amend or correct records may be submitted to the Chief Privacy Officer 
at [email protected] or Chief Privacy Officer at FMCS 250 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20427. Also, see https://www.fmcs.gov/privacy-policy/.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
    See 29 CFR 1410.3(a), Individual access requests.

EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
    None.

HISTORY:
    This amended SORN deletes and supersedes the SORN published in the 
Federal Register on March 24, 2022, at 87 FR 16737.

    Dated: May 21, 2024.
Alisa Zimmerman,
Deputy General Counsel, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-11543 Filed 5-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6732-01-P