Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests

AGENCY:

National Mediation Board.

SUMMARY:

The Chief Information Officer, Finance and Administration Department, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before May 26, 2004.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The Chief Information Officer, Finance and Administration Department, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Record keeping burden. OMB invites public comment.

Currently, the National Mediation Board is soliciting comments concerning the new collection of information in the form of an Application for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services and is interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the agency; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the agency enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the agency minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology.

A. Application for ADR Services

Type of Review: New Collection.

Title: Application for ADR Services.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Union Officials and Officials of Railroads and Airlines.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

 Responses: Estimate about 45 annually.

 Burden Hours: 9.

Abstract: The Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C., 151 a. General Purposes, provides that the purposes of the Act are (1) to avoid any interruption to commerce or to the operation of any carrier engaged therein. * * * (4) to provide for the prompt and orderly settlement of all disputes concerning rates of pay, rules, or working conditions, and (5) to provide for the prompt and orderly settlement of all disputes growing out of grievances or out of the interpretation or application of agreements concerning rates of pay, rules, or working conditions.

In fulfilling its role to administer the Act, the National Mediation Board offers the parties to disputes mediation and arbitration services. On a voluntary basis, training programs in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and facilitation services are also available. These ADR programs are designed to enhance the bargaining and grievance handling skill level of the disputants and to assist the parties in the resolution of disputes. The impact of these ADR programs is that mediation and arbitration can be avoided entirely or the scope and number of issues brought to mediation or arbitration is significantly reduced.

This collection is necessary to confirm the voluntary participation of the parties in the ADR process. The information provided by the parties is used by the NMB to schedule the parties for ADR training and facilitation. Based on a recent survey of those who participated in the NMB's ADR Programs, 94.6% said they were satisfied with the ADR Programs and said they recommend the program for all negotiators. Collecting the brief information on the Application for ADR Services form allows the parties to voluntarily engage the services of the NMB in the orderly settlement of all disputes and fulfill the purposes of the Act.

Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be requested by sending an email to leach@nmb.gov or should be addressed to Grace Ann Leach, Sr. Project Manager, National Mediation Board, 1301 K Street NW., Suite 250 E, Washington, DC 20005, or faxed to 202-692-5081. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be directed to June D.W. King, Chief Information Officer, National Mediation Board, 1301 K Street NW., Suite 250 East, Washington DC 20005, or at 202-692-5010 or via email address king@nmb.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD/TDY) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.