Teamsters Hail New Labor Dept. Rule Leveling Organizing Playing Field

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union today is lauding long-sought changes implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that will require management consultants and attorneys involved with creating anti-union propaganda for companies to disclose their efforts to dissuade workers from organizing and collectively bargaining.

In issuing final revisions to the "persuader rule," the DOL puts these outside firms on equal footing as employers who must disclose such activities under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959. And it also increases parity with unions, which are already required to file detailed financial disclosure forms each and every year that includes receipts and expenditures. The changes take effect July 1.

"For years, big business has taken advantage of the nation's broken system," Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said. "They've paid millions to consultants and law firms to do the dirty work of union-busting and intimidating employees. In exchange, these same companies publicly could wash their hands of the whole thing. That's over now."

Greater disclosure is needed so workers can be informed about their employer's activities – and monies spent – to fight the workers' efforts to form a union. Employees deserve to know whether third-party union busters are being employed to unduly influence the outcomes of union elections.

"This is a modest rule change," Hoffa said. "It will increase transparency about company activities and will not be a heavy burden to firms who have to file. The form is only two pages long, which pales in comparison to the hundreds of pages of financial disclosure forms unions fill out."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact: 
Ted Gotsch, (202) 624-6911
[email protected]

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

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