Recent disclosures to the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) have highlighted the contentious practice of employers hiring external consultants to dissuade employees from unionizing. The Forms LM-20, mandated for employers engaging such 'persuader' services, have brought to light instances where companies may have breached the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) by submitting filings after National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election outcomes were declared.
Notable cases include The Tustin Group in Fairfield, NJ, and American Rock Products in Yakima, WA, which utilized persuader services at considerable costs. The situation at American Rock Products is particularly noteworthy as the union secured a victory in the election, yet the consulting agreement was reported afterward. Alro Steel Corporation in Jackson, MI, and Medix Ambulance Service in Hillsboro, OR, are also under scrutiny, with Alro's union failing to win the election and Medix's case remaining unresolved.
These findings emphasize the critical role of transparency and compliance with labor laws in safeguarding employees' organizing rights. The tardiness in some employers' filings casts doubt on the adequacy of existing regulations and underscores the necessity for more rigorous enforcement to curb improper influence on union elections.
