U.S. Department of Labor

Office of Labor-Management Standards
Pittsburgh Office
Federal Office Building
1000 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1411
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 395-6925 Fax: (412) 395-5409





December 22, 2014



Ms. Holly McKinley, Treasurer
AFGE Local 3610
P.O. Box 4344
Morgantown, WV 26504
Case Number: 140-6002290
LM Number: 513262


Dear Ms. McKinley:

This office has recently completed an audit of AFGE Local 3610 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 December 19, 2014, 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.

Reporting Violations

Pursuant to 29 C.F.R., Section 458.3, the reporting requirement under 29 C.F.R. Section 403.2 (see Section 201(b) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA)) is made applicable to labor organizations subject to the requirements of the CSRA. This provision requires labor organizations to file annual financial reports that accurately disclose their financial condition and operations. The audit disclosed a violation of this requirement. The Labor Organization Annual Report Form LM-3 filed by Local 3610 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, was deficient in the following areas:

1. Disbursements to Officers


Local 3610 did not include some reimbursements to officers totaling at least $4972.93 in the amounts reported Item 24 (All Officers and Disbursements to Officers). It appears the union erroneously reported these payments in Item 48.

The union must report most direct disbursements to Local 3610 officers and some indirect disbursements made on behalf of its officers in Item 24. A "direct disbursement" to an officer is a payment made to an officer in the form of cash, property, goods, services, or other things of value. See the instructions for Item 24 for a discussion of certain direct disbursements to officers that do not have to be reported in Item 24. An "indirect disbursement" to an officer is a payment to another party (including a credit card company) for cash, property, goods, services, or other things of value received by or on behalf of an officer. However, indirect disbursements for temporary lodging (such as a union check issued to a hotel) or for transportation by a public carrier (such as an airline) for an officer
traveling on union business should be reported in Item 48 (Office and Administrative Expense).

2. Failure to File Bylaws


Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. Section 458.3, the requirement under 29 C.F.R. Section 402.4 implementing LMRDA Section 201(a) is made applicable to labor organizations subject to the requirements of the CSRA. This provision requires labor organizations to file copies of any revised constitution and bylaws when it files its annual financial report. The audit disclosed a violation of this requirement.

Local 3610 has now filed a copy of its constitution and bylaws.

Local 3610 must file an amended Form LM-3 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, to correct the deficient items discussed above. I encourage Local 3610 to complete, sign, and file its report electronically using the Electronic Forms System (EFS) available at the OLMS website at www.olms.dol.gov. Reporting forms and instructions can be downloaded from the website, if you prefer not to file electronically. The amended Form LM-3 should be filed electronically no later than January 15, 2015 or submitted to this office at the above address by the same date. Before filing, review the report thoroughly to be sure it is complete and accurate. Paper reports must be signed with original signatures.

Other Issues

Per Diem Policy

As I discussed during the exit interview with you, the audit revealed that Local 3610 made per diem payments to officers that attended meetings and conferences that did not require overnight travel. You advised that the local’s per diem policy was a past practice of the local; however, this practice was undocumented. You further advised that Local 3610 is no longer going to continue the past per diem practice. OLMS recommends that Local 3610 adopt written guidelines concerning their new per diem policy.
I want to extend my personal appreciation to AFGE Local 3610 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

Enclosures

cc: Ms. Cheryl Mosco, President
, AFGE National Rep., 3rd District