U.S. Department of Labor

Office of Labor-Management Standards
Atlanta District Office
Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 8B85
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 562-2083 Fax: (404) 562-2087






December 6, 2013



Mr. Robert Payne, President
Transport Workers, Local Union 526
107 B Industrial Drive
St. Marys, GA 31558
Case Number: 410-4115338
LM Number: 530202


Dear Mr. Payne:

This office has recently completed an audit of the Transport Workers, Local Union 526, 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 and Secretary/Treasurer Alison Christopher on December 6, 2013, 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

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 the Transport Workers Local 526 union for fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, was deficient in the following area:

Cash Reconciliation:

It appears that figures reported in Item 24 - Officers & Disbursements to Officers, and Item 51 – Contributions, Gifts & Grants & Gifts, were either improperly reported or placed in an incorrect column.

For example, the LM-3 report as reported in item 24, Column E, figures are slightly different by at least $125 for Secretary/Treasurer Alison Christopher according to union records provided to conduct the audit.

Another example as reported in item 51, the LM-3 report show no contributions or gifts. However, union records indicate approximately $790 was donated to the Henry Watson School and the MJQ Scholarship Fund.

I am not requiring that Local 526 file an amended LM report for 2012 to correct the deficient items, but Local 526 has agreed to properly report the deficient items on all future reports it files with OLMS.

I want to extend my personal appreciation to you and Ms. Christopher 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