Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-524), 37075-37078 [06-5831]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 125 / Thursday, June 29, 2006 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES advise the contact listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: You may submit all your Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) comments by e-mail or U.S. postal mail. To submit your comments by e-mail send them to PRA@fcc.gov. To submit your comments by U.S. mail, mark them to the attention of Cathy Williams, Federal Communications Commission, Room 1–C823, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the information collection(s) send an e-mail to PRA@fcc.gov or contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418–2918. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 3060–0922. Title: Broadcast Mid-Term Report. Form Number: FCC Form 397. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities; Not-for-profit institutions. Number of Respondents: 4,300. Estimated Time per Response: 0.50 hours. Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping requirement; Mid-point reporting requirement. Total Annual Burden: 269 hours. Total Annual Cost: None. Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s). Needs and Uses: On November 7, 2002, the FCC adopted a Second Report and Order and Third NPRM (Second R&O), MM Docket No. 98–204, FCC 02– 303, 68 FR 670 (2003), which established new EEO rules and forms to comply with the court’s decision in MD/ DC/DE Broadcasters Association v. FCC. The new rules adopt a new version of FCC Form 397. The new EEO rules also ensure equal employment opportunity in the broadcast and multi-channel video program distribution industries through outreach to the community in recruitment and prevention of employment discrimination. The new version of FCC Form 397 is filed only once at the mid-point of the eight-year license term of television licensees, with five or more full-time employees, and radio licensees, with eleven or more full-time employees. Licensees must include copies of EEO reports that are required to be placed in the licensees’ local public file for the prior two years. Federal Communications Commission. Jacqueline R. Coles, Associate Secretary, Agenda and Publications Group. [FR Doc. E6–10188 Filed 6–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:03 Jun 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [Report No. 2776] Petitions for Reconsideration of Action in Rulemaking Proceeding June 23, 2006. Petitions for Reconsideration have been filed in the Commission’s Rulemaking proceeding listed in this Public Notice and published pursuant to 47 CFR 1.429(e). The full text of these documents is available for viewing and copying in Room CY–B402, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC or may be purchased from the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI) (1–800–378–3160). Oppositions to these petitions must be filed by July 14, 2006. See Section 1.4(b)(1) of the Commission’s rules (47 CFR 1.4(b)(1)). Replies to an opposition must be filed within 10 days after the time for filing oppositions have expired. Subject: In the Matter of Implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and Modernization of the Commission’s Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures (WT Docket No. 05–211). Number of Petitions Filed: 3. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. 06–5823 Filed 6–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95–524) Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. ACTION: Final Fiscal Year 2006, Program Guidelines/Application Solicitation for Labor-Management Committees. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is publishing a final Fiscal Year 2006 Program Guidelines/Application Solicitation for the Labor-Management Cooperation Program. The program is supported by Federal funds authorized by the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978, subject to annual appropriations. This solicitation contains a change in the length of grants and the deadline for accepting applications. FMCS reserves the right under special conditions to award supplemental (continuation) grants and will accept applications beginning August 1, 2006 and continue to do so until July 31, 2007 or until all Fiscal Year 2006 grant funds are obligated. PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37075 There were no comments received on the draft Fiscal Year 2006 Program Guidelines/Application Solicitation. ADDRESSES: Maria A. Fried, General Counsel and Federal Register Liaison, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427. Comments may be submitted by fax at (202) 606–5345 or electronic mail (e-mail) to mfried@fmcs.gov. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the appropriate agency form number. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Stubbs, Grants Management Specialist, FMCS 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427. Telephone number 202–606–8181, e-mail to lstubbs@fmcs.gov or fax at (202) 606– 3434. DATES: Federal Mediation Conciliation Service—Labor-Management Cooperation Program; Application Solicitation for Labor-Management Committees FY 2006 A. Introduction The following is the final Solicitation for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 cycle of the Labor-Management Cooperation Program as it pertains to the support of labor-management committees. These guidelines represent the continuing efforts of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to implement the provisions of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978, which was initially implemented in FY 1981. The Act authorizes FMCS to provide assistance in the establishment and operation of company/plant, area, public sector, and industry-wide labormanagement committees which: (A) Have been organized jointly by employers and labor organizations representing employees in that company/plant, area, government agency, or industry; and (B) Are established for the purpose of improving labor-management relationships, job security, and organizational effectiveness; enhancing economic development; or involving workers in decisions affecting their working lives, including improving communication with respect to subjects of mutual interest and concern. The Program Description and other sections that follow, as well as a separately published FMCS Financial and Administrative Grants Manual, make up the basic guidelines, criteria, and program elements a potential applicant for assistance under this program must know in order to develop an application for funding consideration E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1 37076 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 125 / Thursday, June 29, 2006 / Notices for either a company/plant, area-wide, industry, or public sector labormanagement committee. Directions for obtaining an application kit may be found in Section H. A copy of the LaborManagement Cooperation Act of 1978, included in the application kit, should be reviewed in conjunction with this solicitation. B. Program Description jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Objectives The Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 identifies the following seven general areas for which financial assistance would be appropriate: (1) To improve communication between representatives of labor and management; (2) To provide workers and employers with opportunities to study and explore new and innovative joint approaches to achieving organizational effectiveness; (3) To assist workers and employers in solving problems of mutual concern not susceptible to resolution within the collective bargaining process; (4) To study and explore ways of eliminating potential problems which reduce the competitiveness and inhibit the economic development of the company/plant, area, or industry; (5) To enhance the involvement of workers in making decisions that affect their working lives; (6) To expand and improve working relationships between workers and managers; and (7) To encourage free collective bargaining by establishing continuing mechanisms for communication between employers and their employees through Federal assistance in the formation and operation of labormanagement committees. The primary objective of this program is to encourage and support the establishment and operation of joint labor-management committees to carry out specific objectives that meet the aforementioned general criteria. The term ‘‘labor’’ refers to employees represented by a labor organization and covered by a formal collective bargaining agreement. These committees may be found at the plant (company), area, industry, or public sector levels. A plant or company committee is generally characterized as restricted to one or more organizational or productive units operated by a single employer. An area committee is generally composed of multiple employers of diverse industries as well as multiple labor unions operating within and focusing upon a particular city, county, contiguous multicounty, or statewide jurisdiction. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:03 Jun 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 An industry committee generally consists of a collection of agencies or enterprises and related labor union(s) producing a common product or service in the private sector on a local, state, regional, or nationwide level. A public sector committee consists of government employees and managers in one or more units of a local or state government, managers and employees of public institutions of higher education, or of employees and managers of public elementary and secondary schools. Those employees must be covered by a formal collective bargaining agreement or other enforceable labor-management agreement. In deciding whether an application is for an area or industry committee, consideration should be given to the above definitions as well as to the focus of the committee. In FY2006, competition will be open to company/plant, area, private industry, and public sector committees. Special consideration will be given to committee applications involving innovative or unique efforts. All application budget requests should focus directly on supporting the committee. Applicants should avoid seeking funds for activities that are clearly available under other Federal programs (e.g., job training, mediation of contract disputes, etc.) Required Program Elements 1. Problem Statement—The application should have numbered pages and discuss in detail what specific problem(s) face the company/ plant, area, government, or industry and its workforce that will be addressed by the committee. Applicants must document the problem(s) using as much relevant data as possible and discuss the full range of impacts these problem(s) could have or are having on the company/plant, government, area, or industry. An industrial or economic profile of the area and workforce might prove useful in explaining the problem(s). This section basically discusses why the effort is needed. 2. Results or Benefits Expected—By using specific goals and objectives, the application must discuss in detail what the labor-management committee will accomplish during the life of the grant. Applications that promise to provide objectives after a grant is awarded will receive little or no credit in this area. While a goal of ‘‘improving communication between employers and employees’’ may suffice as one over-all goal of a project, the objectives must, whenever possible, be expressed in specific and measurable terms. Applicants should focus on the outcome, impacts or changes that the PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 committee’s efforts will have. Existing committees should focus on expansion efforts/results expected from FMCS funding. The goals, objectives, and projected impacts will become the foundation for future monitoring and evaluation efforts of the grantee, as well as the FMCS grants program. 3. Approach—This section of the application specifies how the goals and objectives will be accomplished. At a minimum, the following elements must be included in all grant applications: (a) A discussion of the strategy the committee will employ to accomplish its goals and objectives; (b) A listing, by name and title, of all existing or proposed members of the labor-management committee. The application should also offer a rationale for the selection of the committee members (e.g., members represent 70% of the area or company/plant workforce). (c) A discussion of the number, type, and role of all committee staff persons. Include proposed position descriptions for all staff that will have to be hired as well as resumes for staff already on board; noting, that grant funds may not be used to pay for existing employees; an assurance that grant funds will not be used to pay for existing employees; (d) In addressing the proposed approach, applicants must also present their justification as to why Federal funds are needed to implement the proposed approach; (e) A statement of how often the committee will meet (we require meetings at least every other month) as well as any plans to form subordinate committees for particular purposes; and (f) For applications from existing committees, a discussion of past efforts and accomplishments and how they would integrate with the proposed expanded effort. 4. Major Milestones—This section must include an implementation plan that indicates what major steps, operating activities, and objectives will be accomplished as well as a timetable for when they will be finished. A milestone chart must be included that indicates what specific accomplishments (process and impact) will be completed by month over the life of the grant using ‘‘month one’’ as the start date. The accomplishment of these tasks and objectives, as well as problems and delays therein, will serve as the basis for quarterly progress reports to FMCS. Applicants must prepare their budget narrative and milestone chart using a start date of ‘‘month one’’ and an end date of ‘‘month twelve’’ or ‘‘month eighteen’’, as appropriate. Thus, if E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 125 / Thursday, June 29, 2006 / Notices applicant is seeking a twelve month grant, use figures reflecting month one through twelve. If applicant is seeking an eighteen month grant, use figures reflecting month one through eighteen. If the grant application is funded; FMCS will identify the start and end date of the grant on the Application for Federal Assistance (SF–424) form. 5. Evaluation—Applicants must provide for either an external evaluation or an internal assessment of the project’s success in meeting its goals and objectives. An evaluation plan must be developed which briefly discusses what basic questions or issues the assessment will examine and what baseline data the committee staff already has or will gather for the assessment. This section should be written with the application’s own goals and objectives clearly in mind and the impacts or changes that the effort is expected to cause. 6. Letters of Commitment— Applications must include current letters of commitment from all proposed or existing committee participants and chairpersons. These letters should indicate that the participants support the application and will attend scheduled committee meetings. A blanket letter signed by a committee chairperson or other official on behalf of all members is not acceptable. We encourage the use of individual letters submitted on company or union letterhead represented by the individual. The letters should match the names provided under Section 3(b). 7. Other Requirements—Applicants are also responsible for the following: (a) The submission of data indicating approximately how many employees will be covered or represented through the labor-management committee; (b) From existing committees, a copy of the existing staffing levels, a copy of the by-laws (if any), a breakout of annual operating costs and identification of all sources and levels of current financial support; (c) A detailed budget narrative that clearly identifies each line item and the estimated cost (a complete breakdown of each line item) based on policies and procedures contained in the FMCS Financial and Administrative Grants Manual; (d) An assurance that the labormanagement committee will not interfere with any collective bargaining agreements; (e) An assurance that committee meetings will be held at least every other month and that written minutes of all committee meetings will be prepared and made available to FMCS; and (f) An assurance that the maximum rate for an individual consultant paid VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:03 Jun 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 from grant project can be no more than $950 for an eight-hour-day. The day includes preparation, evaluation and travel time. Also, time and effort records must be maintained. Selection Criteria The following criteria will be used in the scoring and selection of applications for award: (1) The extent to which the application has clearly identified the problems and justified the needs that the proposed project will address. (2) The degree to which appropriate and measurable goals and objectives have been developed to address the problems/needs of the applicant. (3) The feasibility of the approach proposed to attain the goals and objectives of the project and the perceived likelihood of accomplishing the intended project results. This section will also address the degree of innovativeness or uniqueness of the proposed effort. (4) The appropriateness of committee membership and the degree of commitment of these individuals to the goals of the application as indicated in the letters of support. (5) The feasibility and thoroughness of the implementation plan in specifying major milestones and target dates. ( 6 ) The cost effectiveness and fiscal soundness of the application’s budget request, as well as the application’s feasibility vis-a-vis its goals and approach. (7) The overall feasibility of the proposed project in light of all of the information presented for consideration; and (8) The value to the government of the application in light of the overall objectives of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978. This includes such factors as innovativeness, site location, cost, and other qualities that impact upon an applicant’s value in encouraging the labor-management committee concept. C. Eligibility Eligible grantees include state and local units of government, labormanagement committees (or a labor union, management association, or company on behalf of a committee that will be created through the grant), and certain third-party private non-profit entities on behalf of one or more committees to be created through the grant. Federal government agencies and their employees are not eligible. Third-party private, non-profit entities that can document that a major purpose or function of their PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37077 organization is the improvement of labor relations are eligible to apply. However, all funding must be directed to the functioning of the labormanagement committee, and all requirements under Part B must be followed. Applications from third-party entities must document particularly strong support and participation from all labor and management parties with whom the applicant will be working. Applications from third-parties which do not directly support the operation of a new or expanded committee will not be deemed eligible, nor will applications signed by entities such as law firms or other third-parties failing to meet the above criteria. Successful grantees will be bound by OMB Circular 110 i.e. ‘‘contractors that develop or draft specifications, requirements, statements of work, and invitations for bids and/or requests for proposals shall be excluded (emphasis added from competing for such procurements). Applicants who received funding under this program in the last 6 years for committee operations are not eligible to re-apply. The only exception will be made for grantees that seek funds on behalf of an entirely different committee whose efforts are totally outside of the scope of the original grant. D. Allocations The FY2006 appropriation for this program is $396,000. The Grant Review Board will review submissions and make recommendations for awards based on merit without regard to category. In addition, to the competitive process identified in the preceding paragraph, FMCS will subject to funds availability, set aside a sum not to exceed thirty percent of its non-reserved appropriation to be awarded on a noncompetitive basis. These funds will be used only to support applications that have been solicited by the Director of the Service and are not subject to the dollar range noted in Section E. All funds returned to FMCS from a competitive grant award may be awarded on a non-competitive basis in accordance with budgetary requirements. FMCS reserves the right to retain up to five percent of the FY2006 appropriation to contract for program support purposes (such as evaluation) other than administration. E. Dollar Range and Length of Grants Awards to expand existing or establish new labor-management committees will be for a period of up to 18 months. If successful progress is E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1 37078 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 125 / Thursday, June 29, 2006 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES made during this initial budget period and all grant funds are not obligated within the specified period, these grants may be extended for up to six months. The dollar range of awards is as follows: —Up to $65,000 over a period of up to 18 months for company/plant committees or single department public sector applicants; —Up to $125,000 per 18-month period for area, industry, and multidepartment public sector committee applicants. Additionally, FMCS reserves the right under special conditions to award supplemental (continuation) grants subject to funds availability. If awarded the additional amount is added to the current grant amount. Applicants are reminded that these figures represent maximum Federal funds only. If total costs to accomplish the objectives of the application exceed the maximum allowable Federal funding level and its required grantee match, applicants may supplement these funds through voluntary contributions from other sources. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to consult with their local or regional FMCS field office to determine what kinds of training may be available at no cost before budgeting for such training in their applications. A list of our field leadership team and their phone numbers may be obtained from the FMCS web site (https://www.fmcs.gov) under ‘‘Who We Are.’’ F. Cash Match Requirements and Cost Allowability All applicants must provide at least 10 percent of the total allowable project costs in cash. Matching funds may come from state or local government sources or private sector contributions, but may generally not include other Federal funds. Funds generated by grantsupported efforts are considered ‘‘project income,’’ and may not be used for matching purposes. It is the policy of this program to reject all requests for indirect or overhead costs as well as ‘‘in-kind’’ match contributions. In addition, grant funds must not be used to supplant private or local/state government funds currently spent for committee purposes. Funding requests from existing committees should focus entirely on the costs associated with the expansion efforts. Also, under no circumstances may business or labor officials participating on a labor-management committee be compensated out of grant funds for time spent at committee meetings or time spent in committee training sessions. Applicants generally VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:03 Jun 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 will not be allowed to claim all or a portion of existing full-time staff as an expense or match contribution. For a more complete discussion of cost allowability, applicants are encouraged to consult the FY2006 FMCS Financial and Administrative Grants Manual, which will be included in the application kit. G. Application Submission and Review Process The Application for Federal Assistance (SF–424) form must be signed by both a labor and management representative. In lieu of signing the SF– 424 form, representatives may type their name, title, and organization on plain bond paper with a signature line signed and dated, in accordance with block 18 of the SF–424 form. The individual listed as contact person in block 6 on the application form will generally be the only person with whom FMCS will communicate during the application review process. Please be sure that person is available once the application has been submitted. Additionally, it is the applicant’s responsibility to notify FMCS in writing of any changes (e.g. if the address or contact person has changed). We will accept applications beginning August 1, 2006, and continue to do so until July 31, 2007, or until all FY 2006 grant funds are obligated. Awards will be made by September 30, 2007. Proposals may be accepted at any time between August 1, 2006 and July 31, 2007, but proposals received late in the cycle have a greater risk of not being funded due to unavailability of funds. Once your application has been received and acknowledged by FMCS, no applications or supplementary materials will be accepted thereafter. Applicants are highly advised to contact the grants director prior to committing any resources to the preparation of a proposal. An original application containing numbered pages, plus three copies, should be addressed to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Labor-Management Grants Program, 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427. FMCS will not consider videotaped submissions or video attachments to submissions. FMCS will confirm receipt of all applications within 10 days thereof. All eligible applications will be reviewed and scored by a Grant Review Board. The Board(s) will recommend selected applications for rejection or further funding consideration. The Director or their designee will finalize the scoring and selection process. All FY 2006 grant applicants will be PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 notified of results and all grant awards will be made by September 30, 2007. Applications that fail to adhere to eligibility or other major requirements will be administratively rejected by the Director or their designee. H. Contact Individuals wishing to apply for funding under this program should contact the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service as soon as possible to obtain an application kit. Please consult the FMCS Web site (https:// www.fmcs.gov) to download forms and information. These kits and additional information or clarification can be obtained free of charge by contacting the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Labor-Management Grants Program, 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427, Linda Stubbs at (202) 606–8181 (lstubbs@fmcs.gov). Additionally, we are currently accepting applications for FY2005 grant cycle and will do so until July 31, 2006 or until all FY2005 funding has been obligated. Please consult the FMCS Web site (https://www.fmcs.gov) to download forms and information. Fran Leonard, Director, Budget and Finance, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. [FR Doc. 06–5831 Filed 6–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6732–01–P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below. The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 125 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37075-37078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5831]


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FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE


Labor Management Cooperation Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-524)

AGENCY: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

ACTION: Final Fiscal Year 2006, Program Guidelines/Application 
Solicitation for Labor-Management Committees.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is 
publishing a final Fiscal Year 2006 Program Guidelines/Application 
Solicitation for the Labor-Management Cooperation Program. The program 
is supported by Federal funds authorized by the Labor-Management 
Cooperation Act of 1978, subject to annual appropriations. This 
solicitation contains a change in the length of grants and the deadline 
for accepting applications. FMCS reserves the right under special 
conditions to award supplemental (continuation) grants and will accept 
applications beginning August 1, 2006 and continue to do so until July 
31, 2007 or until all Fiscal Year 2006 grant funds are obligated.

DATES: There were no comments received on the draft Fiscal Year 2006 
Program Guidelines/Application Solicitation.

ADDRESSES: Maria A. Fried, General Counsel and Federal Register 
Liaison, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, 2100 K Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20427. Comments may be submitted by fax at (202) 
606-5345 or electronic mail (e-mail) to mfried@fmcs.gov. All comments 
and data in electronic form must be identified by the appropriate 
agency form number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Stubbs, Grants Management 
Specialist, FMCS 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427. Telephone 
number 202-606-8181, e-mail to lstubbs@fmcs.gov or fax at (202) 606-
3434.

Federal Mediation Conciliation Service--Labor-Management Cooperation 
Program; Application Solicitation for Labor-Management Committees FY 
2006

A. Introduction

    The following is the final Solicitation for the Fiscal Year (FY) 
2006 cycle of the Labor-Management Cooperation Program as it pertains 
to the support of labor-management committees. These guidelines 
represent the continuing efforts of the Federal Mediation and 
Conciliation Service to implement the provisions of the Labor-
Management Cooperation Act of 1978, which was initially implemented in 
FY 1981. The Act authorizes FMCS to provide assistance in the 
establishment and operation of company/plant, area, public sector, and 
industry-wide labor-management committees which:
    (A) Have been organized jointly by employers and labor 
organizations representing employees in that company/plant, area, 
government agency, or industry; and
    (B) Are established for the purpose of improving labor-management 
relationships, job security, and organizational effectiveness; 
enhancing economic development; or involving workers in decisions 
affecting their working lives, including improving communication with 
respect to subjects of mutual interest and concern.
    The Program Description and other sections that follow, as well as 
a separately published FMCS Financial and Administrative Grants Manual, 
make up the basic guidelines, criteria, and program elements a 
potential applicant for assistance under this program must know in 
order to develop an application for funding consideration

[[Page 37076]]

for either a company/plant, area-wide, industry, or public sector 
labor-management committee. Directions for obtaining an application kit 
may be found in Section H. A copy of the Labor-Management Cooperation 
Act of 1978, included in the application kit, should be reviewed in 
conjunction with this solicitation.

B. Program Description

Objectives
    The Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978 identifies the 
following seven general areas for which financial assistance would be 
appropriate:
    (1) To improve communication between representatives of labor and 
management;
    (2) To provide workers and employers with opportunities to study 
and explore new and innovative joint approaches to achieving 
organizational effectiveness;
    (3) To assist workers and employers in solving problems of mutual 
concern not susceptible to resolution within the collective bargaining 
process;
    (4) To study and explore ways of eliminating potential problems 
which reduce the competitiveness and inhibit the economic development 
of the company/plant, area, or industry;
    (5) To enhance the involvement of workers in making decisions that 
affect their working lives;
    (6) To expand and improve working relationships between workers and 
managers; and
    (7) To encourage free collective bargaining by establishing 
continuing mechanisms for communication between employers and their 
employees through Federal assistance in the formation and operation of 
labor-management committees.
    The primary objective of this program is to encourage and support 
the establishment and operation of joint labor-management committees to 
carry out specific objectives that meet the aforementioned general 
criteria. The term ``labor'' refers to employees represented by a labor 
organization and covered by a formal collective bargaining agreement. 
These committees may be found at the plant (company), area, industry, 
or public sector levels.
    A plant or company committee is generally characterized as 
restricted to one or more organizational or productive units operated 
by a single employer. An area committee is generally composed of 
multiple employers of diverse industries as well as multiple labor 
unions operating within and focusing upon a particular city, county, 
contiguous multicounty, or statewide jurisdiction.
    An industry committee generally consists of a collection of 
agencies or enterprises and related labor union(s) producing a common 
product or service in the private sector on a local, state, regional, 
or nationwide level. A public sector committee consists of government 
employees and managers in one or more units of a local or state 
government, managers and employees of public institutions of higher 
education, or of employees and managers of public elementary and 
secondary schools. Those employees must be covered by a formal 
collective bargaining agreement or other enforceable labor-management 
agreement. In deciding whether an application is for an area or 
industry committee, consideration should be given to the above 
definitions as well as to the focus of the committee.
    In FY2006, competition will be open to company/plant, area, private 
industry, and public sector committees. Special consideration will be 
given to committee applications involving innovative or unique efforts. 
All application budget requests should focus directly on supporting the 
committee. Applicants should avoid seeking funds for activities that 
are clearly available under other Federal programs (e.g., job training, 
mediation of contract disputes, etc.)
Required Program Elements
    1. Problem Statement--The application should have numbered pages 
and discuss in detail what specific problem(s) face the company/plant, 
area, government, or industry and its workforce that will be addressed 
by the committee. Applicants must document the problem(s) using as much 
relevant data as possible and discuss the full range of impacts these 
problem(s) could have or are having on the company/plant, government, 
area, or industry. An industrial or economic profile of the area and 
workforce might prove useful in explaining the problem(s). This section 
basically discusses why the effort is needed.
    2. Results or Benefits Expected--By using specific goals and 
objectives, the application must discuss in detail what the labor-
management committee will accomplish during the life of the grant. 
Applications that promise to provide objectives after a grant is 
awarded will receive little or no credit in this area. While a goal of 
``improving communication between employers and employees'' may suffice 
as one over-all goal of a project, the objectives must, whenever 
possible, be expressed in specific and measurable terms. Applicants 
should focus on the outcome, impacts or changes that the committee's 
efforts will have. Existing committees should focus on expansion 
efforts/results expected from FMCS funding. The goals, objectives, and 
projected impacts will become the foundation for future monitoring and 
evaluation efforts of the grantee, as well as the FMCS grants program.
    3. Approach--This section of the application specifies how the 
goals and objectives will be accomplished. At a minimum, the following 
elements must be included in all grant applications:
    (a) A discussion of the strategy the committee will employ to 
accomplish its goals and objectives;
    (b) A listing, by name and title, of all existing or proposed 
members of the labor-management committee. The application should also 
offer a rationale for the selection of the committee members (e.g., 
members represent 70% of the area or company/plant workforce).
    (c) A discussion of the number, type, and role of all committee 
staff persons. Include proposed position descriptions for all staff 
that will have to be hired as well as resumes for staff already on 
board; noting, that grant funds may not be used to pay for existing 
employees; an assurance that grant funds will not be used to pay for 
existing employees;
    (d) In addressing the proposed approach, applicants must also 
present their justification as to why Federal funds are needed to 
implement the proposed approach;
    (e) A statement of how often the committee will meet (we require 
meetings at least every other month) as well as any plans to form 
subordinate committees for particular purposes; and
    (f) For applications from existing committees, a discussion of past 
efforts and accomplishments and how they would integrate with the 
proposed expanded effort.
    4. Major Milestones--This section must include an implementation 
plan that indicates what major steps, operating activities, and 
objectives will be accomplished as well as a timetable for when they 
will be finished. A milestone chart must be included that indicates 
what specific accomplishments (process and impact) will be completed by 
month over the life of the grant using ``month one'' as the start date. 
The accomplishment of these tasks and objectives, as well as problems 
and delays therein, will serve as the basis for quarterly progress 
reports to FMCS.
    Applicants must prepare their budget narrative and milestone chart 
using a start date of ``month one'' and an end date of ``month twelve'' 
or ``month eighteen'', as appropriate. Thus, if

[[Page 37077]]

applicant is seeking a twelve month grant, use figures reflecting month 
one through twelve. If applicant is seeking an eighteen month grant, 
use figures reflecting month one through eighteen. If the grant 
application is funded; FMCS will identify the start and end date of the 
grant on the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) form.
    5. Evaluation--Applicants must provide for either an external 
evaluation or an internal assessment of the project's success in 
meeting its goals and objectives. An evaluation plan must be developed 
which briefly discusses what basic questions or issues the assessment 
will examine and what baseline data the committee staff already has or 
will gather for the assessment. This section should be written with the 
application's own goals and objectives clearly in mind and the impacts 
or changes that the effort is expected to cause.
    6. Letters of Commitment--Applications must include current letters 
of commitment from all proposed or existing committee participants and 
chairpersons. These letters should indicate that the participants 
support the application and will attend scheduled committee meetings. A 
blanket letter signed by a committee chairperson or other official on 
behalf of all members is not acceptable. We encourage the use of 
individual letters submitted on company or union letterhead represented 
by the individual. The letters should match the names provided under 
Section 3(b).
    7. Other Requirements--Applicants are also responsible for the 
following:
    (a) The submission of data indicating approximately how many 
employees will be covered or represented through the labor-management 
committee;
    (b) From existing committees, a copy of the existing staffing 
levels, a copy of the by-laws (if any), a breakout of annual operating 
costs and identification of all sources and levels of current financial 
support;
    (c) A detailed budget narrative that clearly identifies each line 
item and the estimated cost (a complete breakdown of each line item) 
based on policies and procedures contained in the FMCS Financial and 
Administrative Grants Manual;
    (d) An assurance that the labor-management committee will not 
interfere with any collective bargaining agreements;
    (e) An assurance that committee meetings will be held at least 
every other month and that written minutes of all committee meetings 
will be prepared and made available to FMCS; and
    (f) An assurance that the maximum rate for an individual consultant 
paid from grant project can be no more than $950 for an eight-hour-day. 
The day includes preparation, evaluation and travel time. Also, time 
and effort records must be maintained.
Selection Criteria
    The following criteria will be used in the scoring and selection of 
applications for award:
    (1) The extent to which the application has clearly identified the 
problems and justified the needs that the proposed project will 
address.
    (2) The degree to which appropriate and measurable goals and 
objectives have been developed to address the problems/needs of the 
applicant.
    (3) The feasibility of the approach proposed to attain the goals 
and objectives of the project and the perceived likelihood of 
accomplishing the intended project results. This section will also 
address the degree of innovativeness or uniqueness of the proposed 
effort.
    (4) The appropriateness of committee membership and the degree of 
commitment of these individuals to the goals of the application as 
indicated in the letters of support.
    (5) The feasibility and thoroughness of the implementation plan in 
specifying major milestones and target dates.
    ( 6 ) The cost effectiveness and fiscal soundness of the 
application's budget request, as well as the application's feasibility 
vis-a-vis its goals and approach.
    (7) The overall feasibility of the proposed project in light of all 
of the information presented for consideration; and
    (8) The value to the government of the application in light of the 
overall objectives of the Labor-Management Cooperation Act of 1978. 
This includes such factors as innovativeness, site location, cost, and 
other qualities that impact upon an applicant's value in encouraging 
the labor-management committee concept.

C. Eligibility

    Eligible grantees include state and local units of government, 
labor-management committees (or a labor union, management association, 
or company on behalf of a committee that will be created through the 
grant), and certain third-party private non-profit entities on behalf 
of one or more committees to be created through the grant. Federal 
government agencies and their employees are not eligible.
    Third-party private, non-profit entities that can document that a 
major purpose or function of their organization is the improvement of 
labor relations are eligible to apply. However, all funding must be 
directed to the functioning of the labor-management committee, and all 
requirements under Part B must be followed. Applications from third-
party entities must document particularly strong support and 
participation from all labor and management parties with whom the 
applicant will be working. Applications from third-parties which do not 
directly support the operation of a new or expanded committee will not 
be deemed eligible, nor will applications signed by entities such as 
law firms or other third-parties failing to meet the above criteria.
    Successful grantees will be bound by OMB Circular 110 i.e. 
``contractors that develop or draft specifications, requirements, 
statements of work, and invitations for bids and/or requests for 
proposals shall be excluded (emphasis added from competing for such 
procurements).
    Applicants who received funding under this program in the last 6 
years for committee operations are not eligible to re-apply. The only 
exception will be made for grantees that seek funds on behalf of an 
entirely different committee whose efforts are totally outside of the 
scope of the original grant.

D. Allocations

    The FY2006 appropriation for this program is $396,000. The Grant 
Review Board will review submissions and make recommendations for 
awards based on merit without regard to category.
    In addition, to the competitive process identified in the preceding 
paragraph, FMCS will subject to funds availability, set aside a sum not 
to exceed thirty percent of its non-reserved appropriation to be 
awarded on a non-competitive basis. These funds will be used only to 
support applications that have been solicited by the Director of the 
Service and are not subject to the dollar range noted in Section E. All 
funds returned to FMCS from a competitive grant award may be awarded on 
a non-competitive basis in accordance with budgetary requirements.
    FMCS reserves the right to retain up to five percent of the FY2006 
appropriation to contract for program support purposes (such as 
evaluation) other than administration.

E. Dollar Range and Length of Grants

    Awards to expand existing or establish new labor-management 
committees will be for a period of up to 18 months. If successful 
progress is

[[Page 37078]]

made during this initial budget period and all grant funds are not 
obligated within the specified period, these grants may be extended for 
up to six months. The dollar range of awards is as follows:

--Up to $65,000 over a period of up to 18 months for company/plant 
committees or single department public sector applicants;
--Up to $125,000 per 18-month period for area, industry, and multi-
department public sector committee applicants.

    Additionally, FMCS reserves the right under special conditions to 
award supplemental (continuation) grants subject to funds availability. 
If awarded the additional amount is added to the current grant amount.
    Applicants are reminded that these figures represent maximum 
Federal funds only. If total costs to accomplish the objectives of the 
application exceed the maximum allowable Federal funding level and its 
required grantee match, applicants may supplement these funds through 
voluntary contributions from other sources. Applicants are also 
strongly encouraged to consult with their local or regional FMCS field 
office to determine what kinds of training may be available at no cost 
before budgeting for such training in their applications. A list of our 
field leadership team and their phone numbers may be obtained from the 
FMCS web site (https://www.fmcs.gov) under ``Who We Are.''

F. Cash Match Requirements and Cost Allowability

    All applicants must provide at least 10 percent of the total 
allowable project costs in cash. Matching funds may come from state or 
local government sources or private sector contributions, but may 
generally not include other Federal funds. Funds generated by grant-
supported efforts are considered ``project income,'' and may not be 
used for matching purposes.
    It is the policy of this program to reject all requests for 
indirect or overhead costs as well as ``in-kind'' match contributions. 
In addition, grant funds must not be used to supplant private or local/
state government funds currently spent for committee purposes. Funding 
requests from existing committees should focus entirely on the costs 
associated with the expansion efforts. Also, under no circumstances may 
business or labor officials participating on a labor-management 
committee be compensated out of grant funds for time spent at committee 
meetings or time spent in committee training sessions. Applicants 
generally will not be allowed to claim all or a portion of existing 
full-time staff as an expense or match contribution. For a more 
complete discussion of cost allowability, applicants are encouraged to 
consult the FY2006 FMCS Financial and Administrative Grants Manual, 
which will be included in the application kit.

G. Application Submission and Review Process

    The Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) form must be signed 
by both a labor and management representative. In lieu of signing the 
SF-424 form, representatives may type their name, title, and 
organization on plain bond paper with a signature line signed and 
dated, in accordance with block 18 of the SF-424 form. The individual 
listed as contact person in block 6 on the application form will 
generally be the only person with whom FMCS will communicate during the 
application review process. Please be sure that person is available 
once the application has been submitted. Additionally, it is the 
applicant's responsibility to notify FMCS in writing of any changes 
(e.g. if the address or contact person has changed).
    We will accept applications beginning August 1, 2006, and continue 
to do so until July 31, 2007, or until all FY 2006 grant funds are 
obligated. Awards will be made by September 30, 2007. Proposals may be 
accepted at any time between August 1, 2006 and July 31, 2007, but 
proposals received late in the cycle have a greater risk of not being 
funded due to unavailability of funds. Once your application has been 
received and acknowledged by FMCS, no applications or supplementary 
materials will be accepted thereafter. Applicants are highly advised to 
contact the grants director prior to committing any resources to the 
preparation of a proposal.
    An original application containing numbered pages, plus three 
copies, should be addressed to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
Service, Labor-Management Grants Program, 2100 K Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20427. FMCS will not consider videotaped submissions or 
video attachments to submissions. FMCS will confirm receipt of all 
applications within 10 days thereof.
    All eligible applications will be reviewed and scored by a Grant 
Review Board. The Board(s) will recommend selected applications for 
rejection or further funding consideration. The Director or their 
designee will finalize the scoring and selection process. All FY 2006 
grant applicants will be notified of results and all grant awards will 
be made by September 30, 2007. Applications that fail to adhere to 
eligibility or other major requirements will be administratively 
rejected by the Director or their designee.

H. Contact

    Individuals wishing to apply for funding under this program should 
contact the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service as soon as 
possible to obtain an application kit. Please consult the FMCS Web site 
(https://www.fmcs.gov) to download forms and information. These kits and 
additional information or clarification can be obtained free of charge 
by contacting the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Labor-
Management Grants Program, 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427, 
Linda Stubbs at (202) 606-8181 (lstubbs@fmcs.gov).
    Additionally, we are currently accepting applications for FY2005 
grant cycle and will do so until July 31, 2006 or until all FY2005 
funding has been obligated. Please consult the FMCS Web site (https://
www.fmcs.gov) to download forms and information.

Fran Leonard,
Director, Budget and Finance, Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5831 Filed 6-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6732-01-P
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