U.S. Department of Labor
Employment Standards Administration
Office of Labor-Management Standards
Seattle District Office
1111 Third Avenue
Room 605
Seattle, WA 98101 3212
(206)398-8099 Fax: (206)398-8090
June 7, 2006
Mr. Theodore Boskovich, Business Manager
Asbestos Workers AFL-CIO
Local 7
14675 Interurban Ave. S
Tukwila, WA 98168
Re: Case Number
Dear Mr. Boskovich:
This office has recently completed an audit of Asbestos Workers Local 7 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 Theodore Boskovich on June 2, 2006, 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.
Title II of the LMRDA establishes certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Section 206 requires, among other things, that adequate records be maintained for at least 5 years by which each receipt and disbursement of funds, as well as all account balances, can be verified, explained, and clarified. As a general rule, all records used or received in the course of union business must be retained. This includes, in the case of disbursements, not only the retention of original bills, invoice receipts, and vouchers, but also adequate additional documentation, if necessary, 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 note can be written on it providing the additional information. An exception may be made only in those cases where 1) other equally descriptive documentation has been maintained, and 2) there is evidence of actual oversight and control over disbursements.
The audit of Local 7's 2005 records revealed the following recordkeeping violation:
Some checks that were voided and not issued were not retained. As agreed, provided that Local 7 maintains adequate documentation as discussed above in the future, no additional enforcement action will be taken regarding this violation.
The CAP disclosed a violation of LMRDA Section 201(a) which requires that a union submit a copy of its revised constitution and bylaws with its LM report when constitution or bylaw changes are made. Local 7 amended its constitution and bylaws in 2004 and 2005, but a copy was not filed with its LM report for those years. A copy of Local 7's constitution and bylaws has now been filed.
During the audit, you advised that Clint Hollingsworth signs blank checks in advance. Your union's policy is to require that all checks be signed by two officers. The countersignature requirement is an effective internal control of union funds. Its purpose is to attest to the authenticity of a completed document already signed. However, countersigning a blank check in advance does not attest to the authenticity of a completed check, and completely circumvents and undermines the whole purpose of the countersignature requirement. I recommend that Local 7 review these procedures to improve internal control of union funds.
I want to extend my personal appreciation to Asbestos Workers Local 7 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: Robert T. Mitchell, President