1401.21—Information policy.
(a)
Except for matters specifically excluded by sub section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code, matters covered by the Privacy Act, or other applicable statutes, all documents and records maintained by this agency or in its custody shall be available to the public upon request filed in accordance with these regulations. To the extent permitted by other laws, the Service also will make available records which it is authorized to withhold under 5 U.S.C. 552(b) whenever it determines that such disclosure is in the public interest.
(b)
Any document released for inspection under the provisions of this part may be manually copied by the requesting party. The Service shall provide facilities for copying such documents at reasonable times during normal working hours so long as it does not interfere with the efficient operation of the agency.
(c)
The Service will also publish and maintain a current index, revised quarterly, providing identifying information for the public as to statements of policy and interpretation adopted by the agency and still in force but not published by the Federal Register, and administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect the public. The Service will also maintain on file all material published in the Service in the Federal Register and currently in effect.
(d)
Records or documents prepared by the Service for routine public distribution, e.g., pamphlets, speeches, and educational or training materials, will be furnished upon request to the Office of Information, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427, as long as the supply lasts. The provisions of § 1401.36 (fees) is not applicable to such requests except when the supply of such material is exhausted and it is necessary to reproduce individual copies upon specific request.
(e)
All existing FMCS records are subject to routine destruction according to standard record retention schedules.