U.S. Department of Labor

Office of Labor-Management Standards
San Francisco District Office
90 7th Street, Suite 2825
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 625-2661 Fax: (415) 625-2662




January 29, 2013



Mike Davis, President
Communication Workers of America, Local 9431
161 Palm Ave., Suite 9
Auburn, CA 95603-3718
Case Number:
LM Number: 041978


Dear Mr. Davis:

This office has recently completed an audit of Communication Workers of America, Local 9431 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 on January 17, 2013, 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 of the LMRDA and Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Section 403.7 require, among other things, that labor organizations maintain adequate records for at least five years after reports are filed by which the information on the reports can be verified, explained and clarified. Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. Section 458.3, this recordkeeping provision of the LMRDA applies to labor organizations subject to the requirements of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) as well. Therefore, as a general rule, labor organization must retain 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.

The audit of Local 9431’s 2011 records revealed the following recordkeeping violations:

1. General Reimbursed Expense


Local 9431 did not retain adequate documentation for a reimbursed expense incurred by Secretary Treasurer Michelle Mugford totaling at least $382. This expense was a reimbursement for cell phone charges incurred on behalf of the union.

As noted above, labor organizations must retain original receipts, bills, and vouchers for all disbursements. The president and treasurer (or corresponding principal officers) of your union, who are required to sign your union’s LM report, are responsible for properly maintaining union records.

2. Lost Wages


Local 9431 did not retain adequate documentation for a lost wage reimbursement payment to Secretary Treasurer Michelle Mugford totaling at least $215. The union must maintain records in support of lost wage claims that identify each date lost wages were incurred, the number of hours lost on each date, the applicable rate of pay, and a description of the union business conducted. The OLMS audit found that Local 9431, did not retain any supporting documentation regarding this disbursement.

Other Violations

The audit disclosed the following other violations:

1. 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.

Local 9431 obtained an adequate bond during the course of the audit.

2. Signing Blank Checks


During the audit, you advised that you occasionally sign blank 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, signing a blank check in advance does not attest to the authenticity of a completed check, and negates the purpose of the two signature requirement. OLMS recommends that Local 9431 review these procedures to improve internal control of union funds.

I want to extend my personal appreciation to Communication Workers of America, Local 9431 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,


Investigator


cc: Michelle Mugford, Secretary Treasurer