Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) invites public comment on one current Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The purpose of the collection is to facilitate a reporting requirement to FMCS by labor or management practitioners under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in an effort to utilize federal mediation to prevent or minimize disruption to the community that could arise from a labor/management dispute.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is issuing this notice to inform the public of the names of the members of the Agency's Senior Executive Service (SES) Performance Review Board.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) uses this system to manage and apply retention policies to agency records not part of another system. This system also indexes and houses the agency's records for retrieval in case of requests or litigation.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) uses this system to collect information to match FMCS employees with appropriate developmental resources. The information collected is analyzed and used to determine training modalities, mentors, or involvement in projects requiring special skills.

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

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), is issuing this final rule for FMCS employees. This rule supplements the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (OGE Standards) issued by OGE and is necessary because it addresses ethical issues unique to the FMCS. This rule sets forth prior approval requirements for certain outside employment and outside activities for all FMCS employees, other than special government employees.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is issuing this notice to inform the public of the names of the members of the Agency's Senior Executive Service (SES) Performance Review Board.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), is issuing this notice to inform the public of the succession plan for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) provided by the Director of FMCS. This notice supersedes all prior succession plans issued by the agency for officials performing the functions and duties of the Director of FMCS.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), is issuing this proposed rule for FMCS employees. This rule supplements the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (OGE Standards) issued by OGE and is necessary because it addresses ethical issues unique to the FMCS. This rule sets forth prior approval requirements for certain outside employment and outside activities for all FMCS employees, other than special government employees.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) hereby publishes this final rule on the decision to draft a new code of professional conduct for FMCS mediators.

On April 18, 2019, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) published a final rule amending the ``Arbitration Policy; Schedule of Fees'' to implement an increase in user fees. After careful review, FMCS finds that this rule is no longer suitable for publication. Therefore, this final rule rescinds the appendix regarding the Arbitration Policy; Schedule of Fees.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) hereby publishes this notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit comments on the re-titling of this section and the decision to draft a new code of professional conduct for FMCS mediators.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is issuing this notice to inform the public of the names of the members of the Agency's Senior Executive Service (SES) Performance Review Board.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is issuing this notice to inform the public that FMCS has performed a reorganization to optimize client services, internal communications, and agency resources.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) proposes to amend and reissue a current system of records notice, titled FMCS-0006, Ethics Records. The system will cover the Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports, and agency ethics guidance to employees and FMCS clients. The notice amendment includes significant updates to refine details published under the system manager, authority for maintenance of the system, the purpose, categories of individuals covered, categories of records, record source categories, routine uses, record access procedures, contesting records, and history. These sections are amended to refine previously published information about the system of records. The addresses, system name and number, security classification, system location, policies and practices for storage, policies and practices for retrieval, policies and practices for retention, administrative safeguards, notification procedures, and exemptions remain unchanged. This amended SORN deletes and supersedes the SORN published on the Federal Register on October 27, 2021.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection request, Stakeholder Survey for Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery. This information collection request was previously approved by the Office of Management Budget (OMB) and FMCS is requesting a revision of a currently approved collection. This collection was developed as part of a Federal Government-wide effort to streamline the process for seeking feedback from the public on service delivery.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection request, Arbitrator's Personal Data Questionnaire, (Agency Form R-22). This information collection request was previously approved by the Office of Management Budget (OMB) but has expired. FMCS is requesting a reinstatement without change. The Arbitrator's Personal Data Questionnaire, (Agency Form R-22), allows FMCS to comply with its statutory obligation pursuant to the statute, 29 U.S.C. 171(b), to make governmental facilities available for voluntary arbitration. To carry out this policy, FMCS have issued regulations, 29 CFR part 1404, which provide for the operation and maintenance of a roster of professional arbitrators. The arbitrators are private citizens, not employees of FMCS, and are paid by the parties for hearing and deciding the issues submitted under a collective bargaining agreement and in other circumstances. Applicants for listing on the roster submit an Arbitrator's Personal Data Questionnaire (Agency Form R-22) which is used by FMCS to evaluate their qualifications. This allows FMCS to be able to restrict its roster to qualified individuals only.

To fulfill its conflict resolution and training mission, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) uses Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Outlook, and a case records management system new to FMCS to enable mediators and managers to manage cases, manage reporting requirements, provide data for research and training, store recorded trainings and meetings, and collect information on Agency operations. The Agency's internal drives, SharePoint, Outlook, Cloud- based services such as Zoom.gov and Microsoft Teams, and a case records management system are used to store electronic case tracking information, electronic case files (including mediation agreements), and recorded meetings and trainings, permitting the accurate and timely collection, retrieval, and retention of information maintained by offices of the Agency. Inter-Agency Agreements (IAA), agreements for reimbursable services, and requests for mediation and training are also stored in these locations. IAAs and agreements for reimbursable services allow FMCS to provide requested services, such as training and labor dispute resolution, to other federal agencies. The notice amendment includes administrative updates to refine details published under summary, dates, supplementary information, system name, 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, routine uses, policies and practices for storage of records, policies and practices for retrieval of records, policies and practices for retention and disposal of records, administrative safeguards, record access procedures, and contesting records procedures. These sections are amended to refine previously published information about the system of records. The addresses, for further information contact, security classification, system location, system manager, notification procedures, exemptions promulgated, and history remain unchanged. This amended SORN deletes and supersedes the SORN published in the Federal Register on September 21, 2021.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) proposes to create a system of records notice, titled FMCS-0007, Public Health Emergency Records System. The system will include information that FMCS collects and maintains for applicants for employment, FMCS clients, and contractors who voluntarily provide information to FMCS in return for possible employment or enrollment in FMCS programs and/or activities that will respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a declared public health emergency, and other high-consequence public health threat requirements.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) proposes to create a system of records notice, titled FMCS-0006. The system will cover the Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports, and agency ethics guidance to employees.

On August 7, 1992, the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) published a final rule entitled ``Supplemental Agency Regulations'' requiring Federal agencies creating supplemental ethics regulations to submit such regulations to OGE for concurrence and joint issuance within their regulations. In accordance with ``Supplemental Agency Regulations,'' this final rule rescinds the current Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) supplemental ethics regulation ``Outside employment, business activities, or interests''.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) issues a final rule amending its existing regulations under the Freedom of Information Act (``FOIA'') to reflect amendments to the FOIA by the Freedom of Information Improvement Act of 2016 (the ``FOIA Improvement Act'').

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection request, Notice to Mediation Agency, (Agency Form F-7). This information collection request was previously approved by the Office of Management Budget (OMB) but has expired. FMCS is requesting a reinstatement without change. The Notice to Mediation Agency, (Agency Form F-7), allows parties to comply with their statutory obligation under the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947. The Agency Form F-7 also allows FMCS to receive these notices from parties to a collective bargaining agreement to comply with its statutory mandate to facilitate mediation.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) uses photographs, biographies, and agency contact information of employees to provide background information to the public, for use by stakeholders in preparation for services, and for trainings and conferences. FMCS may also use these documents for internal agency events and communications.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) announces the availability of its draft Strategic Plan for 2022-2026. The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, as amended by the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, requires that Federal Agencies solicit input from interested stakeholders when developing their Strategic Plans. Therefore, FMCS invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on FMCS's draft Strategic Plan.