E9-4837. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests

AGENCY:

National Mediation Board.

SUMMARY:

The Director, Office of Administration, 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 within 30 days from the date of this publication.

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 Request for Arbitration Panel for Airline System Boards of Adjustment, Request for Public Law Board Member, Arbitration Services—Pay Voucher for Personal Services, Arbitration Services—Official Travel/Referee Compensation Authorization, Neutral's Report of Activity Arbitration Services—Personal Data Sheet 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.

Dated: March 3, 2009.

June D. W. King,

Director, Office of Administration, National Mediation Board.

A. Request for Arbitration Panel for Airline System Boards of Adjustment

Type of Review: New Collection.

Title: Request for Arbitration Panel for Airlines System Boards of Adjustment.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Airline Carrier and Union Officials.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: Estimate about 80 annually.

Burden Hours: 20.

Abstract: Section 183 of the Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C., 183, provides that the parties to the labor-management disputes in the airline industry must have a procedure for the resolution of disputes involving the interpretation or application of provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. The Railway Labor Act mentions system board of adjustment or arbitration boards as the mechanism for resolution and is silent as to how the neutral arbitrator is to be selected if the parties are unable to agree on an individual. The National Mediation Board provides panels of arbitrators to help the parties in their selection of an arbitrator.

This form is necessary to assist the parties in this process. The parties invoke the process through the submission of this form. The brief information is necessary for the NMB to perform this important function.

B. Request for Public Law Board Member

Type of Review: New Collection.

Title: Request for Public Law Board Member.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Carrier and Union Officials of railroads.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: Estimate 15 annually.

Burden Hours: 3.75.

Abstract: Section 153, Second, of the Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. 153, Second, governs procedures to be followed by carriers and representatives of employees in the establishment and functioning of special adjustment boards. These special adjustment boards are referred to as public law boards (board). The statute provides that within thirty (30) days from the date a written request is made by an employee representative or carrier official for the establishment of a board, an agreement establishing such board shall be made. If, however, one party fails to designate a member of the board, the party making the request may ask the NMB to designate a member on behalf of the other party. The NMB must designate the representative who, together with the other party constitutes the public board. It will be the task of these two individuals to decide on the terms of the agreement. If these individuals are unable to decide upon the terms, the Railway Labor Act provides that one of these parties may request that the NMB designate a neutral to resolve the remaining matters which are procedural issues. Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1207.2, requests for the NMB to appoint either representatives or neutrals must be made on printed forms which may be secured from the NMB.

This form is necessary for the NMB to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. Without this information, the NMB would not be able to assist the railroad labor and management representatives in resolving disputes, which is contrary to the intent of the Railway Labor Act.

C. Arbitration Services—Official Travel/Referee Compensation Authorization

Type of Review: New Collection.

Title: Arbitration Services—Official Travel/Referee Compensation Authorization.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Arbitrators.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: Approximately 624 annually.

Burden Hours: 156.

Abstract: Section 153, First and Second of the Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. 153, First and Second, provide that the NMB shall compensate arbitrators who resolve the resolves under these sections of the Act. The arbitrator must submit a written request, in advance, for authorization to be compensated for work to be performed. The arbitrator must obtain authorization before performing work. This form is the request and is necessary for the NMB to fulfill its financial responsibilities.

D. Arbitration Services—Pay Voucher for Personal Services

Type of Review: New Collection.

Title: Arbitration Services—Pay Voucher for Personal Services.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Arbitrators.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: Approximately 624 annually.

Burden Hours: 156.

Abstract: Section 153, First and Second of the Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. 153, First and Second, provide that the NMB shall compensate arbitrators who resolve the resolves under these sections of the Act. After the work is performed, the arbitrator must submit a written request for compensation. This form is the vehicle used to request compensation and is necessary for the NMB to fulfill its financial responsibilities.

E. Neutral's Report of Activity

Type of Review: New Collection.

Title: Neutral's Report of Activity.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Arbitrators.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: Approximately 624 annually.

Burden Hours: 156.

Abstract: Section 153, First and Second of the Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. 153, First and Second, provide that the parties may use an arbitrator to resolve their disputes concerning the application or interpretation of the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement. The NMB must record the decisions rendered by the arbitrators selected by the parties and compensated by the NMB. This form is used to gather that information. This brief information is necessary for the NMB to fulfill its responsibilities under the Railway labor Act.

F. Arbitration Services—Personal Data Sheet

Type of Review: New Collection.

Title: Arbitration Services—Personal Data Sheet.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Arbitrators.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: 25 annually.

Burden Hours: 25.

Abstract: Sections 183 and 153 of the Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C., 153 and 183, provide for the use of arbitrators in the resolution of disputes concerning the application or interpretation of provisions of a collective bargaining agreement in the airline and railroad industries. The NMB maintains a roster of arbitrators for this purpose. The NMB must have a means for interested individuals to apply for inclusion on this roster. This form is the application for inclusion on the NMB roster. The brief information that the NMB solicits is necessary to perform this responsibility under the Railway Labor Act.

Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from http://www.nmb.gov or should be addressed to Roland Watkins, Director of Arbitration Services NMB, 1301 K Street, NW., Suite 250 E, Washington, DC 20005 or addressed to the e-mail address [e-mail] or faxed to 202-692-5086. 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 at 202-692-5010 or via internet address [e-mail]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD/TDY) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.