Proposed Rule2024-03210
Procedures of the Panel; Miscellaneous Requirements
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Published
February 16, 2024
Issuing agencies
Federal Labor Relations Authority
Abstract
The Federal Labor Relations Authority's (FLRA) Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP) is proposing updates to its regulations to establish revised methods by which the public may obtain specific forms from the FSIP, and then file, or formally submit, those forms and other documents during the course of FSIP proceedings.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 33 (Friday, February 16, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12287-12289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03210]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 33 / Friday, February 16, 2024 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 12287]]
FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY
5 CFR Parts 2471 and 2472
Procedures of the Panel; Miscellaneous Requirements
AGENCY: Federal Service Impasses Panel, Federal Labor Relations
Authority.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Labor Relations Authority's (FLRA) Federal Service
Impasses Panel (FSIP) is proposing updates to its regulations to
establish revised methods by which the public may obtain specific forms
from the FSIP, and then file, or formally submit, those forms and other
documents during the course of FSIP proceedings.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 18, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, which must include the caption ``FSIP
Procedures of the Panel; Miscellaneous Requirements,'' by one of the
following methods:
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6734080b2a060e0b27010b150649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c0f3330113d35301c3a302e3d723b332a">[email protected]</span></a>. Include ``FSIP Procedures of the Panel;
Miscellaneous Requirements'' in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Thomas Tso, Solicitor, Federal Labor Relations Authority,
1400 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20424-0001.
Instructions: Do not mail written comments if they have been
submitted via email. Interested persons who mail written comments must
submit an original and 4 copies of each written comment, with any
enclosures, on 8\1/2\ x 11 inch paper. Do not deliver comments by hand.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Moseley, Executive Director,
Federal Service Impasses Panel, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#284345475b4d444d51684e445a49064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="305b5d5f43555c554970565c42511e575f46">[email protected]</span></a> or at: 771-444-
5765.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Due primarily to budgetary constraints, the
Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), including FSIP, is
consolidating its office space at 1400 K Street NW, Washington, DC, so
that all of the offices currently on the second floor of that address
will now be located on the third floor, along with the other FLRA
offices that are already located on the third floor. Additionally, as
FSIP continues to move towards fully electronic case files, it wishes
to strongly encourage parties to file any permissible documents through
the eFiling system, and to implement a requirement that allows in-
person filing of forms or documents in FSIP matters by permission only,
at an appointed time. To the extent that moving to an ``appointment-
only'' in-person filing system has any effect at all on parties' filing
practices, it should promote eFiling. Further, it would assist FSIP--
which has currently a staff of only four employees--in more easily
managing staff-coverage issues, especially if budget constraints or
other considerations prevent it from filling vacancies as they arise.
Given these considerations, the FSIP proposes to amend 5 CFR parts
2471.2, 2471.5, 2472.3, 2472.5, and 2472.6 to update procedures for
obtaining FSIP-specific forms and then filing or formally submitting
those forms and other documents during the course of proceedings before
the FSIP. The proposed amendments would promote eFiling, and conserve
FSIP staff's time and efficiency by allowing staff members to accept
documents after giving advance permission, and at specific appointed
times. This arrangement will allow staff members to avoid remaining on
constant stand-by for lengthy periods of time each week to accept forms
and documents, thus losing the opportunity to perform other critical
tasks.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 605(b), the Chairman of the FSIP has determined that this
proposed rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities, because this proposed rule applies only to
Federal agencies, Federal employees, and labor organizations
representing those employees.
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Review
The FLRA is an independent regulatory agency and thus not subject
to the requirements of E.O. 12866 (58 FR 51735, Sept. 30, 1993).
Executive Order 13132, Federalism
The FLRA is an independent regulatory agency and thus not subject
to the requirements of E.O. 13132 (64 FR 43255, Aug. 4, 1999).
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This proposed rule will not result in the expenditure by state,
local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private
sector, of $100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no
actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
This action is not a major proposed rule as defined by section 804
of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This
proposed rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of
$100,000,000 or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment,
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based
companies to compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and
export markets.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
The proposed regulations contain no additional information
collection or record-keeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
List of Subjects in 5 CFR Parts 2471 and 2472
Administrative practice and procedure, Government employees, Labor
management relations.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the FLRA proposes to
amend 5 CFR parts 2471 and 2472 as follows:
PART 2471--PROCEDURES OF THE PANEL
0
1. The authority citation for part 2471 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7119, 7134.
0
2. Revise Sec. 2471.2 to read as follows:
[[Page 12288]]
Sec. 2471.2 Request form.
A form is available for parties to use in filing either a request
for consideration of an impasse or an approval of a binding arbitration
procedure. Copies are available on the FLRA's website at <a href="http://www.flra.gov">www.flra.gov</a>
or, with advance permission only, from the Office of the Executive
Director, Federal Service Impasses Panel, Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW,
Washington, DC 20424-0001. Telephone (771) 444-5762. Use of the form is
not required, provided that the request includes all of the information
set forth in Sec. 2471.3.
0
3. Amend Sec. 2471.5 by revising paragraphs (a) introductory text,
(a)(1), (b) introductory text, (b)(1), and (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 2471.5 Filing and Service.
(a) Filing and service of request.
(1) Any party submitting a request for Panel consideration of an
impasse or a request for approval of a binding arbitration procedure
shall file an original and one copy with the Panel, unless the request
is filed electronically as discussed below. A clean copy may be
submitted for the original. Requests may be submitted electronically
through use of the eFiling system on the FLRA's website at
<a href="http://www.flra.gov">www.flra.gov</a>, or by registered mail, certified mail, regular mail, or
commercial delivery. Requests also may be accepted by the Panel if
transmitted to the facsimile machine of its office, the number of which
is (202) 482-6674. A party submitting a request by facsimile shall also
file an original for the Panel's records, but failure to do so shall
not affect the validity of the filing by facsimile, if otherwise
proper. While requests may also be submitted by in-person delivery to
the FSIP, you must first obtain permission, by calling (771) 444-5762,
and then schedule an appointment at least one business day in advance
of submission. In-person delivery is accepted with permission, and by
appointment only, Monday through Friday (except federal holidays).
* * * * *
(b) Filing and service of other documents.
(1) Any party submitting a response to, or other document in
connection with, a request for Panel consideration of an impasse or a
request for approval of a binding arbitration procedure shall file an
original and one copy with the Panel, with the exception of responses
or documents filed simultaneously with the electronic filing of a
request through use of the FLRA's eFiling system. Responses or
documents may be submitted electronically through use of the eFiling
system on the FLRA's website at <a href="http://www.flra.gov">www.flra.gov</a>, or by registered mail,
certified mail, regular mail, or commercial delivery. Responses or
documents also may be accepted by the Panel if transmitted to the
facsimile machine of its office, the number of which is (202) 482-6674.
A party submitting a response or document by facsimile shall also file
an original for the Panel's records, but failure to do so shall not
affect the validity of the filing by facsimile, if otherwise proper.
While responses or documents may also be submitted by in-person
delivery to the FSIP, you must first obtain permission, by calling
(771) 444-5762, and then schedule an appointment at least one business
day in advance of submission. In-person delivery is accepted with
permission, and by appointment only, Monday through Friday (except
federal holidays).
* * * * *
(d) The date of service or date served shall be the day when the
matter served, if properly addressed, is deposited in the U.S. mail,
deposited with a commercial-delivery service that will provide a record
showing the date the document was tendered to the delivery service, or
delivered in person after permission to do so is granted. Where service
is made by electronic or facsimile transmission, the date of service
shall be the date of transmission.
* * * * *
PART 2472--IMPASSES ARISING PURSUANT TO AGENCY DETERMINATIONS NOT
TO ESTABLISH OR TO TERMINATE FLEXIBLE OR COMPRESSED WORK SCHEDULES
0
4. The authority citation for part 2472 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 6131.
0
5. Revise Sec. 2472.3 to read as follows:
Sec. 2472.3 Request for Panel Consideration.
Either party, or the parties jointly, may request the Panel to
resolve an impasse resulting from an agency determination not to
establish or to terminate a flexible or compressed work schedule by
filing a request as hereinafter provided. A form is available for use
by the parties in filing a request with the Panel. Copies are available
on the FLRA's website at <a href="http://www.flra.gov">www.flra.gov</a> or, with advance permission only,
from the Office of the Executive Director, Federal Service Impasses
Panel, Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20424-0001.
Telephone (771) 444-5762. Fax (202) 482-6674. Use of the form is not
required provided that the request includes all of the information set
forth in Sec. 2472.4.
0
6. Revise Sec. 2472.5 to read as follows:
Sec. 2472.5 Where to file.
Requests to the Panel provided for in this part must either be
filed electronically through use of the FLRA's eFiling system on the
FLRA's website at <a href="http://www.flra.gov">www.flra.gov</a>, or be addressed to the Executive
Director, Federal Service Impasses Panel, Suite 300, 1400 K Street NW,
Washington, DC 20424-0001. All inquiries or correspondence on the
status of impasses or other related matters must be submitted by
regular mail to the street address above, by using the telephone number
(771) 444-5762, or by using the facsimile number (202) 482-6674.
0
7. Amend Sec. 2472.6 by revising paragraphs (a) introductory text,
(a)(1), (b) introductory text, (b)(1), and (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 2472.6 Filing and service.
(a) Filing and service of request.
(1) Any party submitting a request for Panel consideration of an
impasse filed pursuant to Sec. 2472.3 of these rules shall file an
original and one copy with the Panel unless the request is filed
electronically as discussed below. A clean copy may be submitted for
the original. Requests may be submitted electronically through use of
the eFiling system on the FLRA's website at <a href="http://www.flra.gov">www.flra.gov</a>, or by
registered mail, certified mail, regular mail, or commercial delivery.
Requests also may be accepted by the Panel if transmitted to the
facsimile machine of its office, the number of which is (202) 482-6674.
A party submitting a request by facsimile shall also file an original
for the Panel's records, but failure to do so shall not affect the
validity of the filing by facsimile, if otherwise proper. While
requests may also be submitted by in-person delivery to the FSIP, you
must first obtain permission, by calling (771) 444-5762, and then
schedule an appointment at least one business day in advance of
submission. In-person delivery is accepted with permission, and by
appointment only, Monday through Friday (except federal holidays).
* * * * *
(b) Filing and service of other documents.
(1) Any party submitting a response to, or other document in
connection with, a request for Panel consideration of an impasse filed
pursuant to Sec. 2472.3 shall file an original and one copy with the
Panel, with the exception of responses or documents that are filed
simultaneously with the electronic
[[Page 12289]]
filing of a request for Panel consideration. A clean copy may be
submitted for the original. Responses or documents may be submitted
electronically through use of the eFiling system on the FLRA's website
at <a href="http://www.flra.gov">www.flra.gov</a>, or by registered mail, certified mail, regular mail,
or commercial delivery. Responses or documents also may be accepted by
the Panel if transmitted to the facsimile machine of its office, the
number of which is (202) 482-6674. A party submitting a response or
document by facsimile shall also file an original for the Panel's
records, but failure to do so shall not affect the validity of the
filing by facsimile, if otherwise proper. While responses or documents
may also be submitted by in-person delivery to the FSIP, you must first
obtain permission, by calling (771) 444-5762, and then schedule an
appointment at least one business day in advance of submission. In-
person delivery is accepted with permission, and by appointment only,
Monday through Friday (except federal holidays).
* * * * *
(d) The date of service or date served shall be the day when the
matter served, if properly addressed, is deposited in the U.S. mail,
deposited with a commercial-delivery service that will provide a record
showing the date the document was tendered to the delivery service, or
delivered in person after permission to do so is granted. Where service
is made by electronic or facsimile transmission, the date of service
shall be the date of transmission.
* * * * *
Approved: February 12, 2024.
Thomas Tso,
Solicitor and Federal Register Liaison, Federal Labor Relations
Authority.
[FR Doc. 2024-03210 Filed 2-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7627-01-P
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