THE STATUTE AND CASE LAW DECISION YOUR UNION WILL NEVER EVER TELL YOU ABOUT
Every union member has a critically important right that their union prays the member knows nothing about. Back in 1959 a law “was enacted after lengthy congressional investigations disclosed that in many instances, union officials had run unions as private fiefdoms, in utter defiance of the interests of members….” The goal of that law, i.e., the LMRDA, was to “end ‘autocratic rule by placing the ultimate power in the hands of members, where it rightfully belongs . . .’ ” Mallick v. International Brotherhood of Electric Workers, 749 F.2d 771, 777 (D.C. Cir. 1984) (Mallick I). And one of the rights it gave each member was the right to see and audit the union’s books. There is a legal decision from the U.S. Dept. of Labor that spells this all out and how to do it. Chicago District Director, OLMS v. National Council Of Field Labor Locals, Council 73, AFGE, CASE NO: 98-SOC-1. Has your union ever told you about that right? If not, let me. Continue reading