US Labor Department launches interactive website on rights and responsibilities in union officer elections

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today unveiled a new interactive website, or Union Elections Advisor, to help millions of union members, union officers, union election committees and candidates in union elections better understand their rights and responsibilities under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. The site is http://www.dol.gov/elaws/unionelections.htm.

The Labor Department's Office of Labor-Management Standards administers and enforces most provisions of the LMRDA.

"This site is a very valuable tool for union election committee members, election observers, candidates, members, officers and union staff," said Dr. John Lund, OLMS director. "It provides straight answers and practical examples on each step of union officer election procedures."

Elaws advisors are free, Web-based tools designed to help workers and employers understand the major laws administered and enforced by the department. By asking a series of questions, the advisors simulate a conversation with a Department of Labor expert and guide users to customized information explaining the requirements of each law.

For example, users are presented with menu options and can access information on various topics. After a user responds to questions regarding the type of union and the purpose of the election in which the user is interested, the OLMS Union Elections Advisor will then:

• Determine whether the LMRDA covers the union officer election.
• Help union members and election officials understand their roles and responsibilities in conducting union officer elections.
• Summarize the requirements and procedures for planning and conducting union officer elections.
• Help candidates and union members understand their rights through the election process.
• Outline the timetable and requirements for protesting an election.

The department offers more than 30 elaws advisors covering a wide range of employment law topics, such as minimum wage and overtime, child labor, veterans' workplace rights, health and retirement benefits, and workplace safety and health. For more information, visit http://www.dol.gov/elaws/.

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