Notice2026-19209
Notice of Proposed Information Collection Request
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 21, 2026
Issuing agencies
National Mediation Board
Abstract
The National Mediation Board (NMB) invites comments on the proposed information collection request as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The NMB is seeking the reinstatement, with non- substantive change, of a previously approved collection of information, entitled "Application for ADR Services." The change to the information collection is a non-substantive one related to the change in the agency's Washington, DC headquarters address, which was effective August 1, 2026. This notice allows for 60 days for public comments.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 181 (Monday, September 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 181 (Monday, September 21, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59812-59813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19209]
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NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD
Notice of Proposed Information Collection Request
AGENCY: National Mediation Board.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Mediation Board (NMB) invites comments on the
proposed information collection request as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. The NMB is seeking the reinstatement, with non-
substantive change, of a previously approved collection of information,
entitled ``Application for ADR Services.'' The change to the
information collection is a non-substantive one related to the change
in the agency's Washington, DC headquarters address, which was
effective August 1, 2026. This notice allows for 60 days for public
comments.
DATES: Comments are due by November 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed information collection
request should be directed by email (the preferred method) to NMB
Program Management Specialist Keaira Butler at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a616f6b63786b24687f7e666f784a646768246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c37393d352e3d723e292830392e1c32313e723b332a">[email protected]</span></a>,
or mailed to Keaira Butler at National Mediation Board, Office of Legal
Affairs, P.O. Box 23300, Washington, DC 20026. Please specify the
complete title of the information collection when making your request.
Comments on the proposed information collection request should be
directed by email (the preferred method) to NMB Counsel John Gross at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d1b6a3bea2a291bfbcb3ffb6bea7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e091c011d1d2e00030c40090118">[email protected]</span></a>, or by mail to John Gross at National Mediation Board,
Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 23300, Washington, DC 20026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Gross, Counsel, National
Mediation Board, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 23300, Washington,
DC 20026; telephone number: 202-815-1647; email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#593e2b362a2a1937343b773e362f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e293c213d3d0e20232c60292138">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 NMB 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 NMB is soliciting comments concerning the proposed
reinstatement, with non-substantive change, of a previously approved
collection of information, entitled ``Application for ADR Services,''
and is interested in public comment addressing the following issues:
(1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the agency;
(2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3)
is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the agency enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (5) how might the agency minimize the burden of this collection on
the respondents, including through the use of information technology.
Title of Collection: Application for ADR Services.
OMB Control Number: 3149-0009.
Type of Review: Reinstatement, with non-substantive change, of a
previously approved collection of information.
Affected Public: Union Officials and Officials of Railroads and
Airlines.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Respondent's Burden: Voluntary.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:
Responses: 25 annually.
Burden Hours: 5.0.
1. Abstract: The Railway Labor Act (RLA), 45 U.S.C. 151a. General
Purposes, provides that the purposes of the RLA are (1) to avoid any
interruption to commerce or to the operation of any carrier engaged
therein. * * * (4) to provide for the prompt and orderly settlement of
all disputes concerning rates of pay, rules, or working conditions, and
(5) to provide for the prompt and orderly settlement of all disputes
growing out of grievances or out of the interpretation or application
of agreements concerning rates of pay, rules, or working conditions. In
fulfilling its role to administer the RLA, the NMB offers the parties
to disputes mediation and arbitration services. On a voluntary basis,
training programs in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and
facilitation services are also available. These ADR programs are
designed to enhance the bargaining and grievance handling skill level
of the disputants and to assist the parties in the resolution of
disputes. The impact of these ADR programs is that mediation and
arbitration can be avoided entirely or the scope and number of issues
brought to mediation or arbitration is significantly reduced. This
collection is necessary to confirm the voluntary participation of the
parties in the ADR process. The information provided by the parties is
used by the NMB to schedule the parties for ADR training
[[Page 59813]]
and facilitation. Based on a recent survey of those who participated in
the NMB's ADR Programs, 94.6% said they were satisfied with the ADR
Programs and said they recommend the program for all negotiators.
Collecting the brief information on the Application for ADR Services
form allows the parties to voluntarily engage the services of the NMB
in the orderly settlement of all disputes and fulfill the purposes of
the RLA.
2. This collection is necessary to confirm the voluntary
participation of the parties in the ADR process. The information
provided by the parties is used by the NMB to schedule the parties for
ADR training and facilitation. Based on a recent survey of those who
participated in the NMB's ADR Programs, 94.6% said they were satisfied
with the ADR programs and would recommend the program for all
negotiators. Collecting the brief information on the Application for
ADR Services form allows the parties to voluntarily engage the services
of the NMB in the orderly settlement of all disputes and fulfill the
purposes of the RLA.
3. There is no improved technological method for obtaining this
information. The burden on the parties is minimal in completing the
one-page Application for ADR Services.
4. There is no duplication in obtaining this information and the
information does not exist elsewhere.
5. This collection does not impact small businesses or other small
entities.
6. The collection of this information is voluntary and occurs when
the labor and management parties determine that training is desired or
required. The NMB has no ability to control the frequency of
applications, because the submission is voluntary. There are no
technical or legal obstacles involved with this collection.
7. The information requested by the NMB is consistent with the
general information collection guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.6 and 5 CFR
1320.8 (b) (3). The burden on the parties is minimal in completing the
Application for ADR Services. We do not require submission of more than
one copy of any document, nor do we require submission of any
confidential information.
8. No payments or gifts have been provided by the NMB to any
respondents of the form.
9. There are no questions of a sensitive nature on the form.
10. The total time burden on respondents is 5.0 hours annually.
This includes the time required to collect information. After
consulting with a sample of people involved with the collection of this
information, the time to complete this information collection is
estimated to average 12 minutes per response, including gathering the
data needed and completion and review of the information.
Number of respondents per year: 25.
Estimated time per respondent: 12 minutes.
Total burden hours per year: 5.0 (25 x 12 = 300 / 60 = 5.0 hours).
11. The total collection cost burden on respondents is estimated at
$161.20 annually. There is no mail cost burden--the forms are usually
emailed (not mailed) to the NMB for processing.
a. The respondents will not incur any capital costs or start up
costs for this collection.
b. Cost burden on respondents--detail:
The total time burden annual cost is $161.20.
Time Burden Basis: The total hourly burden per year, upon
respondents, is 5.0.
Staff cost = $161.20.
$32.24 per hour--based on mid level clerical salary.
$32.24 x 5.0 hours per year = $161.20.
We are estimating that a mid-level clerical person, with an average
salary of $32.24 per hour, will be completing the Application for ADR
Services form. The total burden is estimated at 5.0 hours, therefore,
the total time burden cost is estimated at $161.20 per year.
The collection of this information is not mandatory; it is a
voluntary request from airline and railroad carrier officials and union
officials seeking to participate in the NMB's ADR training and
facilitation processes. The NMB will send the form to the carriers and
labor organizations upon request. The form is available on the internet
at <a href="http://ww.nmb.gov">http://ww.nmb.gov</a>, which is the primary source of the form.
12. The total annualized Federal cost is $1,020.00. This cost
represents the processing cost of the applications once they are
received by the NMB. There are no printing or mailing costs. The forms
are available on the NMB's website, and registrants print them and
email them to us. The completed applications are maintained by the
Office of Mediation Services.
a. Processing Cost = $1,020.00.
Basis (processing cost): Applications for ADR Services are
submitted approximately 25 times per year and it takes approximately 60
minutes to process each application.
Staff Cost = $1,020.00.
$.68 per minute (GS 11 Step 1 base hourly rate of $40.94 per hr. /
60).
$.68 x 60 minutes per application = $40.80.
$40.80 x 25 times per year = $1,020.00.
13. Item 13--no change in annual reporting and recordkeeping hour
burden.
14. The information collected by the application will not be
published.
15. The NMB will display the OMB expiration date on the form.
16(a)--the form does not reduce the burden on small entities;
however, the burden is minimized and voluntary.
16(b)--the form does not indicate the retention period for record
keeping requirements.
16(c)--not applicable, the form is not part of a statistical
survey.
Dated: September 16, 2026.
Michael Jerger,
Chief Financial Officer, Acting Director of Administration, National
Mediation Board.
[FR Doc. 2026-19209 Filed 9-18-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7550-01-P
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