U.S. Department of Labor
Employment Standards Administration
Office of Labor-Management Standards
St. Louis District Office
1222 Spruce Street
Room 9 109 E
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314)539-2667 Fax: (314)539-2626

August 14, 2007

Mr. John Antonich, Secretary-Treasurer
Food and Commercial Workers
Local 88
5730 Elizabeth Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110

Re: Case Number

LM File Number: 037-845

Dear Mr. Antonich:

This office has recently completed an audit of UFCW Local 88 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, Office Manager MiChelle Gosswein, and President Strayer (via conference call) on August 8, 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.

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-2 filed by Local 88 for fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, was deficient in the following area:

Disbursements to Officers

Local 88 did not include some indirect disbursements to officers and employees in Schedule 11 (All Officers and Disbursements to Officers) and Schedule 12 (Disbursements to Employees). Specifically, the local failed to report credit card expenses charged by officers to the union's credit cards for meals purchased while on union business. It appears that the local erroneously reported these payments in Schedules 15 through 19.

The union must report in Column F of Schedules 11 and 12 (Disbursements for Official Business) direct disbursements to officers and employees for reimbursement of expenses they incurred while conducting union business. In addition, the union must report in Column F of Schedules 11 and 12 indirect disbursements made to another party (such as a credit card company) for business expenses such as meals union personnel incur. However, the union must report in Schedules 15 through 19 indirect disbursements for business expenses union personnel incur for transportation by public carrier (such as an airline) and for temporary lodging expenses while traveling on union business. The union must report in Column G (Other Disbursements) of Schedules 11 and 12 any direct or indirect disbursements to union personnel for expenses not necessary for conducting union business.

I am not requiring that Local 88 file an amended LM report for 2006 to correct the deficient items, but Local 88 has agreed to properly report the deficient items on all future reports it files with OLMS.

I want to extend my personal appreciation to UFCW Local 88 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: Steve Strayer, President