U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Labor Management Standards
Washington, DC 20210
December 6, 2016
LM File No. 036-095
Ms. Renee Brand
Communications Workers of America
Local 7304
3152 Bedow Road
Fort Ripley, MN 56449
Dear Ms. Brand:
This is in response to your continuing hardship exemption request for Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 7304, LM File Number 036-095, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) received your request on November 29, 2016. A continuing hardship exemption request requires the requesting union to apply in writing for an exemption if the Form LM-2 report cannot be filed electronically without undue burden or expense. Such written application must be received at least thirty days prior to the required due date of the report.
You based your request upon the following information stated in your letter: “Our local has not been on quick books and will need additional time to set up such. Additionally we have not gone over the $250,000.00 income before this year and are unprepared to file electronically.”
OLMS denies your continuing hardship exemption request for filing Form LM-2 electronically for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. Although your letter indicates that the local is unprepared to file electronically, you have not provided any information that indicates your union cannot file electronically without undue burden or expense. If you have any further questions about filing Form LM-2 pursuant to the hardship exemption, please call 202-693-0123 and reference your organization’s LM file number.
OLMS recognizes the difficulty your organization has experienced in filing electronically, and we will be contacting you to offer assistance. Additionally, you may contact the OLMS Help Desk at 1-866-401-1109 (toll free) for technical electronic filing questions, such as those involving your PIN or signature. You can also contact the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office at (612) 370-3111.
Sincerely,
Andrew R. Davis, Chief
Division of Interpretations and Standards
cc: Larry King, Chief, Division of Reports, Disclosure & Audits
OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office