On May 22, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the Department filed suit against National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 2730 (located in Gretna, La.).  The lawsuit seeks to void the branch’s November 6, 2012 election for president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and state and national convention delegates and to obtain a new election for these positions under the Secretary of Labor’s supervision.  The OLMS investigation of the election determined that the branch failed to timely mail ballots and election notices, failed to mail ballots and election notices to all members, and failed to have voted ballots returned to a secure location.  The lawsuit follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office. 

On May 17, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the Department filed suit against Transport Workers Union Local 100 (located in New York, N.Y.).  The lawsuit seeks to nullify the union’s December 7, 2012 election for two executive board positions and seeks a new election for those positions under OLMS supervision.  The OLMS investigation determined that Local 100 unreasonably applied a candidate eligibility requirement that prohibited members with a pending application for any supervisory, non-bargaining unit position from running for, or holding, union office.  The lawsuit follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. 

On April 12, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, a Stipulation of Settlement was filed to resolve the Department’s lawsuit against International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 611 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.).  The Stipulation of Settlement provides that the Department will supervise new nominations and a new election for the offices of business manager/financial secretary, vice president, recording secretary, and treasurer.  The lawsuit sought to set aside the union’s September 6, 2011 election because the Department’s investigation established that an employer’s email system was used to transmit a campaign letter to Local 611 members.  The settlement follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.  

On February 2013, a stipulation of settlement was filed to resolve the Department’s October 2012 lawsuit against United Steelworkers of America Local 1104 in Lorain, Ohio.  The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio sought to set aside the union’s April 2012 election because the Department’s investigation established that Local 1104 applied an unreasonable meeting attendance requirement which disqualified more than 95 percent of the members from running for elected office and resulted in only one contested race.   The Department supervised new nominations and a new election for the offices of president, trustee (three positions), inside guard, and outside guard.  The supervised election and tally for the 1,200-member union were held at the local’s union hall in April 2013. 

On February 6, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, a Stipulation of Settlement and Order was filed to resolve the Department’s lawsuit against United Steelworkers of America Local 1190-S (located in Steubenville, Ohio).  The Stipulation of Settlement and Order provides that the Department will supervise new nominations and a new election for the offices of president, vice president, financial secretary, recording secretary, treasurer, trustee (three positions), guide, inside guard, and outside guard.  The lawsuit sought to set aside the union’s April 2012 election because the investigation established that Local 1190-S imposed an unreasonable meeting attendance requirement which disqualified more than 96 percent of members from running for office.  In addition, the investigation found that the local improperly disqualified one candidate who met the requirement.  The settlement follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. 

On January 17, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, the Department filed suit against International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 82 (located in Dayton, Ohio).  The lawsuit seeks to void the union’s June 4, 2012 and June 25, 2012 elections for the office of business manager and conduct a new election under OLMS supervision for that position.  The complaint alleged that candidates used union equipment to create campaign literature, campaign-related Facebook messages were sent to union members using union equipment, and a union vehicle was used to transport campaign materials.  The lawsuit follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. 

 

Last Updated: 3-31-15