July 16, 2008
Transparency for unions
Labor unions would be required to disclose the benefits paid individual union officers and employees, under regulations being considered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Currently, about 4,600 unions (with revenues of $250,000 or more) must file LM-2 reports annually with DOL, which posts them on the internet. The forms now list officer and employee benefits in a lump sum--rather than specific amounts for individuals.
The proposed regulations, announced in May, also would require: itemizing receipts of $5,000; greater disclosure of travel and entertainment expenses; and reporting more about the sale of union assets.
According to Don Todd, deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Labor-Management Standards:
The proposed rule provides union members with more complete information about union finances and will better protect their legal rights to transparency and accountability under the law.
A 45-day comment period on the proposed regulations ended last week.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney has called the proposed changes "a witch hunt aimed at unions." In her New York Sun column, Diana Furchtgott-Roth writes:
Perhaps one reason that Mr. Sweeney objects is that new forms would require more disclosure of his income. In 2006, Mr. Sweeney, AFL-CIO Treasurer Richard Trumka, and Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson received a total of $180,000 in deferred compensation and benefits.
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