U.S. Department of Labor
Employment Standards Administration
Office of Labor-Management Standards
Denver District Office
1999 Broadway, Suite 2435
Denver, CO 80202-5712
(720) 264-3232 Fax:(720) 264-3230
February 25, 2010
Mr. Michael Simeone, Secretary-Treasurer
Teamster Local 17
7020 N. Broadway, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80221
LM File Number: 025-769
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Dear Mr. Simeone:
This office has recently completed an audit of Teamsters Local 17 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 15, 2010, 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 Violation
Title II of the LMRDA establishes certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Section 206 requires, among other things, that labor organizations maintain adequate records for at least five years by which each receipt and disbursement of funds, as well as a11 account balances, can be verified, explained, and clarified. As a general rule, labor organizations must maintain 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 recipients 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 17's fiscal year 2008 records revealed the following recordkeeping violation:
Failure to Maintain Records
Local 17 did not retain adequate documentation for credit card expenses incurred by union officers totaling at least $530. For example, union officers purchased meals on the union credit cards but did not retain the original receipts, specifically the detailed receipt that includes the individual items purchased. Also, union officers incurred expenses for office supplies and meals but did not retain original receipts.
As previously noted above, labor organizations must maintain all union records used or received in the course of union business. 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.
Based on your assurance that Local 17 will retain adequate documentation and maintain all union records used or received in the course of union business in the future, OLMS will take no further enforcement action at this time regarding the above violations.
Reporting Violation
Failure to File Bylaws
The audit 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 it makes changes to its constitution or bylaws. Local 17 amended its constitution and bylaws in 2001, but did not file a copy with its LM report for that year.
Local 17 has now filed a copy of its constitution and bylaws.
I want to extend my personal appreciation to Teamster Local 17 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,
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Investigator