U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Labor-Management Standards
New Haven Resident Investigator Office
Giaimo Federal Bldg.
150 Court Street, Suite 209
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 773-2130 Fax: (203) 773-2333
July 25, 2011
Mr. Guy Milone, Treasurer
NALC Branch 19
23 Brock Street #B-2
North Haven, CT 06473-3655
Case Number:
LM Number: 089807
Dear Mr. Milone:
This office has recently completed an audit of NALC under the Compliance Audit Program
(CAP) to determine your organization’s compliance with the provisions of the Labor-
Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA). As discussed during the exit
interview with you and President Vincent Mase on July 13, 2011, the following problems were
disclosed during the CAP. The matters listed below are not an exhaustive list of all possible
problem areas since the audit conducted was limited in scope.
Recordkeeping Violations
Title II of the LMRDA establishes certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Section
206 requires, among other things, that labor organizations maintain adequate records for at least
five years by which each receipt and disbursement of funds, as well as all account balances, can
be verified, explained, and clarified. As a general rule, labor organizations must maintain all
records used or received in the course of union business.
For disbursements, this includes not only original bills, invoices, receipts, vouchers, and
applicable resolutions, but also documentation showing the nature of the union business
requiring the disbursement, the goods or services received, and the identity of the recipient(s) of
the goods or services. In most instances, this documentation requirement can be satisfied with a
sufficiently descriptive expense receipt or invoice. If an expense receipt is not sufficiently
descriptive, a union officer or employee should write a note on it providing the additional
information. For money it receives, the labor organization must keep at least one record showing
the date, amount, purpose, and source of that money. The labor organization must also retain
bank records for all accounts.
Mr. Guy Milone
August 2, 2011
Page 2 of 3
The audit of Branch 19’s 2010 records revealed the following recordkeeping violations:
1. Failure to Record Receipts
Branch 19 did not record the receipt of individual ticket purchases for union sponsored
events. In addition receipts were not given to members and other individuals making
charitable contributions relating to union sponsored MDA Bowlathon, golf outing or the
retiree dinner. While a record of those purchasing ticket or contributing by check was kept
no record of cash sale or donations was maintained. The records should show the date and
amount received, and the source of the money
Based on your assurance that Branch 19 will retain adequate documentation in the future, OLMS
will take no further enforcement action at this time regarding the above violations.
Reporting Violations
The audit disclosed a violation of LMRDA Section 201(b), which requires labor organizations to
file annual financial reports accurately disclosing their financial condition and operations. The
Labor Organization Annual Report Form LM-3 filed by Branch 19 for fiscal year ending
December 31, 2010, was deficient in that:
The audit disclosed a violation of LMRDA Section 201(a), which requires that a union submit a
copy of its revised constitution and bylaws with its LM report when it makes changes to its
constitution or bylaws. Branch 19 amended its constitution and bylaws in 2009, but did not file a
copy with its LM report for that year.
Branch 19 has now filed a copy of its constitution and bylaws.
Other Violations
The audit disclosed the following other violation(s):
Inadequate Bonding
The audit revealed a violation of LMRDA Section 502 (Bonding), which requires that union
officers and employees be bonded for no less than 10 percent of the total funds those individuals
or their predecessors handled during the preceding fiscal year.
Branch 19’s officers currently bonded for $22,000, but they must be bonded for at least $36,500.
Branch 19 should obtain adequate bonding coverage for its officers and employees immediately.
In addition, committee chairmen that collect funds during fund raising events should also be
added to the union’s bonding policy. Please provide proof of bonding coverage to this office as
soon as possible, but not later than August 30, 2010.
Mr. Guy Milone
August 2, 2011
Page 3 of 3
Other Issues
Use of Signature Stamp
During the audit, President Vincent Mase advised that it is Branch 19’s practice to stamp the
signature of President Mase on union checks. The two signature requirement is an effective
internal control of union funds. Its purpose is to attest to the authenticity of a completed
document already signed. However, the use of a signature stamp for the second signer does not
attest to the authenticity of the completed check, and negates the purpose of the two signature
requirement. OLMS recommends that Branch 19 review these procedures to improve internal
control of union funds.
I want to extend my personal appreciation to NALC Branch 19 for the cooperation and courtesy
extended during this compliance audit. I strongly recommend that you make sure this letter and
the compliance assistance materials provided to you are passed on to future officers. If we can
provide any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
Supervisory Investigator
cc: Mr. Vincent Mase, President