In the interest of the service and in order to streamline the procedure involving petitions for assumption of jurisdiction and appealed cases, the following rules and regulations shall govern:

1. The Legal Service shall institute a central docketing system for all petitions for assumption of jurisdiction of a labor dispute by the Office of the Secretary and all appeal and cases from the Regional Offices, Bureaus. Attached Agencies and Services.

2. All petitions for assumption of jurisdiction of a labor dispute by the Secretary shall be filed directly with the Office of the Secretary, which shall forward the same to the Legal Service for docketing. The Legal Service shall return the petition and all pertinent papers to the office of the secretary, which shall determine who or which office under this Department shall be authorized to take appropriate action and to submit recommendation to the secretary for his final disposition.

3. All appealed cases, including med-arbitration suits, shall be filed directly with the Legal Service, which shall submit recommendation to the Secretary for his final disposition.

All Orders and other issuances inconsistent with this Order are deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 10 April 1996