Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The National Mediation Board (NMB) invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The NMB is seeking the reinstatement, with non- substantive change, of previously approved collections of information, entitled "Request for Arbitration Panel for Airline System Boards of Adjustment", "Arbitration Services--Personal Data Sheet", and "Request for Public Law (PL) Board Member". The change to the information collections 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 189 (Thursday, October 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 189 (Thursday, October 1, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62564-62565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20091]


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NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD


Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests

AGENCY: National Mediation Board.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Mediation Board (NMB) invites comments on the 
proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. The NMB is seeking the reinstatement, with non-
substantive change, of previously approved collections of information, 
entitled ``Request for Arbitration Panel for Airline System Boards of 
Adjustment'', ``Arbitration Services--Personal Data Sheet'', and 
``Request for Public Law (PL) Board Member''. The change to the 
information collections 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 30, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the proposed information collection 
requests should be directed by email (the preferred method) to NMB 
Program Management Specialist Keaira Butler at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#97fcf2f6fee5f6b9f5e2e3fbf2e5d7f9faf5b9f0f8e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b4dfd1d5ddc6d59ad6c1c0d8d1c6f4dad9d69ad3dbc2">[email&#160;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 requests should be 
directed by email (the preferred method) to NMB Counsel John Gross at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7512071a0606351b18175b121a03"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ec8b9e839f9fac82818ec28b839a">[email&#160;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#9cfbeef3efefdcf2f1feb2fbf3ea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3d4c1dcc0c0f3ddded19dd4dcc5">[email&#160;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 previously approved 
collections of information, entitled ``Request for Arbitration Panel 
for Airline System Boards of Adjustment'',

[[Page 62565]]

``Arbitration Services--Personal Data Sheet'', and ``Request for Public 
Law (PL) Board Member'', 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.

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

    Title of Collection: Request for Arbitration Panel for Airline 
System Boards of Adjustment.
    OMB Control Number: 3140-0003.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, with non-substantive change, of a 
previously approved collection of information.
    Affected Public: Airline Carrier and Union Officials.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:
    Responses: Estimate 15 annually.
    Burden Hours: 3.75.
    Abstract: Section 183 of the Railway Labor Act (RLA), 45 U.S.C. 
183, provides that the parties to labor-management disputes in the 
airline industry must have a procedure for the resolution of disputes 
involving the interpretation or application of provisions of a 
collective bargaining agreement. The RLA mentions system boards of 
adjustment or arbitration boards as the mechanism for resolution of 
those disputes and is silent as to how the neutral arbitrator is to be 
selected if the parties are unable to agree on an individual. The NMB 
provides panels, or lists, of arbitrators to help the parties in their 
selection of an arbitrator.
    This form is necessary to assist the parties in this process. The 
parties invoke the process through the submission of the ``Request for 
Arbitration Panel for Airline System Boards of Adjustment'' form, which 
is available on the internet at <a href="http://www.nmb.gov">http://www.nmb.gov</a>. The brief 
information the NMB solicits is necessary for the NMB to perform this 
important function.

B. Arbitration Services--Personal Data Sheet

    Title of Collection: Arbitration Services--Personal Data Sheet.
    OMB Control Number: 3140-0004.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, with non-substantive change, of a 
previously approved collection of information.
    Affected Public: Arbitrators.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:
    Responses: Estimate 15 annually.
    Burden Hours: 15.00.
    Abstract: Sections 183 and 153 of the Railway Labor Act (RLA), 45 
U.S.C. 153 and 183, provide for the use of arbitrators in the 
resolution of disputes concerning the application or interpretation of 
provisions of a collective bargaining agreement in the airline and 
railroad industries. The NMB maintains a roster of arbitrators for this 
purpose. The NMB must have a means for interested individuals to apply 
for inclusion on this roster. This form, available at <a href="http://www.nmb.gov">http://www.nmb.gov</a>, is the application for inclusion on the NMB roster. The 
brief information that the NMB solicits is necessary to perform this 
responsibility under the RLA.

C. Request for Public Law (PL) Board Member

    Title of Collection: Request for Public Law (PL) Board Member.
    OMB Control Number: 3140-0005.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, with non-substantive change, of a 
previously approved collection of information.
    Affected Public: Carrier and Union Officials of railroads.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:
    Responses: Estimate 10 annually.
    Burden Hours: 2.50.
    Abstract: Section 153, Second, of the Railway Labor Act (RLA), 45 
U.S.C. 153, Second, governs procedures to be followed by carriers and 
representatives of employees in the establishment and functioning of 
special adjustment boards. These special adjustment boards are referred 
to as Public Law Boards (PLB). The statute provides that within thirty 
(30) days from the date a written request is made by an employee 
representative or carrier official for the establishment of a PLB, an 
agreement establishing such PLB shall be made. If, however, one party 
fails to designate a member of the PLB, the party making the request 
may ask the NMB to designate a member on behalf of the other party. The 
NMB must designate the representative who, together with the other 
party constitutes the PLB. It will be the task of these two individuals 
to decide on the terms of the agreement. If these individuals are 
unable to decide upon the terms, the RLA provides that one of these 
parties may request that the NMB designate a neutral to resolve the 
remaining matters which are procedural issues. Pursuant to 29 CFR 
1207.2, requests for the NMB to appoint party representatives or 
neutrals must be made on the ``Request for Public Law Board Member'' 
form, which is available on the internet at <a href="http://www.nmb.gov">http://www.nmb.gov</a>.
    This form is necessary for the NMB to fulfill its statutory 
responsibilities. Without this information, the NMB would not be able 
to assist the railroad labor and management representatives in 
resolving disputes, which is contrary to the intent of the RLA.

    Dated: September 29, 2026.
Michael Jerger,
Chief Financial Officer, Acting Director of Administration, National 
Mediation Board.
[FR Doc. 2026-20091 Filed 9-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7550-01-P


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