U.S. Department of Labor
Employment Standards Administration
Office of Labor-Management Standards
Cleveland District Office
1240 East Ninth Street
Room 831
Cleveland, OH 44199
(216)357-5455 Fax: (216)357-5425
December 4, 2008
Mr. Gregory Lonsway, Financial Secretary Treasurer
Auto Workers, AFL-CIO
Local 1379
P.O. Box 381
Norwalk, Ohio 44857-0381
LM File Number 063-371
Case Number: -
Dear Mr. Lonsway:
This office has recently completed an audit of UAW Local 1379 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 Trustee Dave Eavey on July 21, 2008, no violations of the LMRDA were disclosed in areas of financial activity included in the CAP. This does not exhaust all possible problem areas, however, since the audit conducted was limited in scope and did not include all areas of your union's operation. However, the following issues were noted.
Other Issues
The audit revealed that Local 1379 should consider improving the financial safeguards in place. The local did not have up-to-date signature cards for its bank accounts or safe deposit box, and did not have keys to its safe deposit box. As discussed during the exit interview with you and Trustee Dave Eavey all signature cards should be updated as soon as possible and access to the safe deposit box should be given to the appropriate union officers. Although establishment of internal financial controls will not absolutely prevent misuse or embezzlement of union funds, internal controls such as those listed above will surely inhibit some individuals from misusing union funds. You agreed to make the necessary arrangements to improve your financial controls.
I want to extend my personal appreciation to UAW Local 1379 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,
Brian A. Pifer
District Director
cc: Dallas Tackett, President