U.S. Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration
Office of Labor-Management Standards
San Francisco District Office
907th Street
Suite 18-100
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 625-2661 Fax:(415) 625-2662

November 9,2007

Ms. Lecia Johns, Secretary-Treasurer
BLET Division 283
250 Markham Avenue
Vacaville, CA 95688

LM File Number: 042-922
Case Number:

Dear Ms. Johns:

This office has recently completed an audit of BLET Division 283 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 November 9,2007, 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.

The audit disclosed:

Reporting Violation

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 Division 283 for fiscal year ending December 31,2006, was deficient in the following area:

Disbursements to Officers

Division 283 did not include some reimbursements to officers totaling at least $1,210 in the amounts reported in Item 24 (All Officers and Disbursements to Officers). It appears the union erroneously reported these payments in Item 54 (Other Disbursements).

The union must report most direct disbursements to Division 283 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).

I am not requiring that Division 283 file an amended LM report for 2006 to correct the deficient item, but Division 283 has agreed to properly report the deficient item on all future reports it files with OLMS.

I want to extend my personal appreciation to BLET Division 283 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: Mr. Luis Chavez Jr., Local Chairman