Union members in Colorado and across the nation stand to gain from newly proposed federal rules that would provide a clearer picture of how union leaders are spending their hard-earned dues money. If you’re a glutton for punishment, there’s the official 103-page document with the new rules.
For the rest of us, compliments of the Public Service Research Foundation, there is a layman’s version of the new pro-worker rules:
They require that unions specify the costs of benefits being provided to officers and employees.
Under the present system the cost of benefits is only reported as one big lump sum. The new regulations will allow union members to see how much they are paying in benefits for each officer and employee. This will discourage union officials from attempting to hide the cost of excessively generous benefits.
They also require that unions provide the identity of those to whom they sell assets.
This will allow union members to spot transactions where union officials are buying union assets at big discounts.
And, they require unions to report travel and entertainment expenses for union officers and employees that are paid “indirectly” by the union.
This will allow union members to get a much more accurate idea of how much the union is spending on this sort of thing and discourage union officers and employees from attempting to hide the cost of “business” meetings in luxurious resorts.
The public comment period is open through June 26. Whether you are a union member or just a concerned citizen you can find out how to share your comments on the PSRF webpage.
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