Labor Organization and Auxiliary Reports

Labor Organization and Auxiliary Reports

Form T-1 Instructions 7-28-06

Labor Organization and Auxiliary Reports

OMB: 1215-0188

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Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 72 hours per response in the first year, 34 hours per response in the second year, and 30 hours per response in the third year. This includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Reporting of this information is mandatory and is required by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended, for the purpose of public disclosure. As this is public information, there are no assurances of confidentiality. If you have any comments regarding this estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, please send them to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Division of Interpretations and Standards, Room N-5605, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210.





INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM T-1

TRUST ANNUAL REPORT


GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS


I. Who Must File


Every labor organization subject to the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, as amended (LMRDA), the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA), or the Foreign Service Act (FSA), with total annual receipts of $250,000 or more, must file each year with its Form LM-2 a Form T-1 for each trust for which the following conditions exist:


      • The trust is a trust defined by section 3(l) of the LMRDA, that is, the trust is a trust or other fund or organization (1) that was created or established by the union or the union appoints or selects a member of the trust’s governing board; and (2) that has as a primary purpose to provide benefits to the members of the union or their beneficiaries (29 U.S.C. 402(l)); and


      • The union’s financial contribution to the trust, a contribution made as a result of a collective bargaining agreement to which the union is a party, or a contribution otherwise made on the union’s behalf, was $10,000 or more during the trust’s most recent fiscal year, that is, the fiscal year ending on or before the ending date of the union’s own fiscal year, and the trust had $250,000 or more in annual receipts during its fiscal year; and either


      • The union, alone or in combination with other unions, appoints or selects a majority of the members of the trust’s governing board; or


      • The union’s contributions to the trust, alone or in combination with other unions, represent greater than 50% of the trust's revenues during the trust’s most recent fiscal year (contributions by an employer on behalf of the union’s members as required by a collective bargaining agreement are considered to be contributions of the union as are any contributions otherwise made on the union’s behalf).


No Form T-1 should be filed for any union that meets the statutory definition of a labor organization and already files a Form LM-2, LM-3, or LM-4, nor should a report be filed for any entity that the LMRDA expressly exempts from reporting. No separate report need be filed for Political Action Committee (PAC) funds if publicly available reports on the PAC funds are filed with a Federal or state agency, or for a political organization for which reports are filed with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 527.


No separate report is required for an employee benefit plan that filed a complete and timely annual report pursuant to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. 1023, 1024(a), and 1030, and 29 CFR 2520.103-1, for a plan year ending during the reporting period of the union (a notice filed with the Secretary of Labor pursuant to an exemption from reporting and disclosure does not constitute a complete annual financial report). An abbreviated report may be filed for any covered trust for which an independent audit, which is publicly available, has been conducted in accordance with the standards of 29 CFR 2520.103-1, as discussed in the next paragraph.

A labor organization may complete only Items 1 through 15 and Items 26-27 (Signatures) of Form T-1 if annual audits are prepared for the trust according to the following standards and a copy of the audit is filed with the Form T-1. The audit must be performed by an independent qualified public accountant, who after examining the financial statements and other books and records of the trust, as the accountant deems necessary, certifies that the trust’s financial statements are presented fairly in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting (OCBOA). The audit must include notes to the financial statements that disclose, for the preceding twelve-month period: losses, shortages, or other discrepancies in the trust’s finances; the acquisition or disposition of assets, other than by purchase or sale; liabilities and loans liquidated, reduced, or written off without the disbursement of cash; loans made to union officers or employees that were granted at more favorable terms than were available to others; and loans made to officers and employees that were liquidated, reduced, or written off. The audit must be accompanied by schedules that disclose, for the preceding twelve-month period: a statement of the assets and liabilities of the trust, aggregated by categories and valued at current value, and the same data displayed in comparative form for the end of the previous fiscal year of the trust; a statement of trust receipts and disbursements aggregated by general sources and applications, which must include the names of the parties with which the trust engaged in $10,000 or more of commerce and the total of the transactions with each party.


Form T-1 must be filed with the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (Department) Employment Standards Administration. The labor organization must file a separate Form T-1 for each trust that meets the above requirements. The LMRDA, CSRA, and FSA cover labor organizations that represent employees who work in private industry, employees of the U.S. Postal Service, and most Federal government employees. Questions about whether a labor organization is required to file should be referred to the nearest OLMS field office listed at the end of these instructions.


II. When to File


Form T-1 must be filed within 90 days of the end of the labor organization’s fiscal year. The Form T-1 shall cover the trust’s most recent fiscal year, that is, the fiscal year ending on or before the ending date of the union’s own fiscal year. The penalties for delinquency are described in Section V (Officer Responsibilities and Penalties) of these instructions.


If a trust for which a labor organization was required to file a Form T-1 goes out of existence, a terminal financial report must be filed within 30 days after the date it ceased to exist. Similarly, if a trust for which a labor organization was required to file a Form T-1 continues to exist, but the labor organization’s interest in that trust ceases, a terminal financial report must be filed within 30 days after the date that the labor organization’s interest in the trust ceased. See Section IX (Trusts That Have Ceased to Exist) of these instructions for information on filing a terminal financial report.


III. How to File


Form T-1 must be prepared using software that can be downloaded from the OLMS Web site at http://www.olms.dol.gov and must be submitted electronically to OLMS. A Form T-1 filer will be able to file a report in paper format only if it applies for and is granted a continuing hardship exemption of up to one year, but a paper format copy may be submitted initially if the filer asserts a temporary hardship and files electronically thereafter.


Further information on Form T-l and a detailed user guide can be found on the OLMS Web site at http://www.olms.dol.gov.


HARDSHIP EXEMPTIONS


A labor organization that must file Form T-1 may assert a temporary hardship exemption or apply for a continuing hardship exemption to prepare and submit the report in paper format. If a labor organization files both Form LM-2 and Form T-1, the exemption must be separately asserted for each report, although in appropriate circumstances the same reasons may be used to support both exemptions. If it is possible to file Form LM-2, or one or more Form T-1s, electronically, no exemption should be claimed for those reports, even though an exemption is warranted for a related report.


TEMPORARY HARDSHIP EXEMPTION:


If a labor organization experiences unanticipated technical difficulties that prevent the timely preparation and submission of an electronic filing of Form T-1, it may be filed in paper format by the required due date. An electronic format copy of the filed paper format document shall be submitted to the Department within ten business days after the required due date. Indicate in Item 3 (Amended, Hardship Exempted, or Terminal Report) that the labor organization is filing this form under the hardship exemption procedures. Unanticipated technical difficulties that may result in additional delays should be brought to the attention of the OLMS Division of Interpretations and Standards by email at [email protected], by phone at 202-693-0123, or by fax at 202-693-1340.


Note: If either the paper filing or the electronic filing is not received in the timeframe specified above, the report will be considered delinquent.


CONTINUING HARDSHIP EXEMPTION:


(a) The labor organization may apply in writing for a continuing hardship exemption if Form T-1 cannot be filed electronically without undue burden or expense. Such written application shall be received at least thirty days prior to the required due date of the report(s). The written application shall contain the information set forth in paragraph (b).


The application must be mailed to the following address:


U.S. Department of Labor

Employment Standards Administration

Office of Labor-Management Standards

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Room N-5605

Washington, DC 20210-0001


Questions regarding the application should be directed to the OLMS Division of Interpretations and Standards, which can be reached at the above address, by e-mail at [email protected], by phone at 202-693-0123, or by fax at 202-693-1340.


(b) The request for the continuing hardship exemption shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) the justification for the requested time period of the exemption; (2) the burden and expense that the union would incur if it was required to make an electronic submission; and (3) the reasons for not submitting the report(s) electronically. The applicant must specify a time period not to exceed one year.


(c) The continuing hardship exemption shall not be deemed granted until the Department notifies the applicant in writing. If the Department denies the application for an exemption, the labor organization shall file the report(s) in electronic format by the required due date. If the Department determines that the grant of the exemption is appropriate and consistent with the public interest and the protection of union members and so notifies the applicant, the labor organization shall follow the procedures set forth in paragraph (d).


(d) If the request is granted, the labor organization shall submit the report(s) in paper format by the required due date. The filer may be required to submit Form T-1 in electronic format upon the expiration of the period for which the exemption is granted. Indicate in Item 3 (Amended, Hardship Exempted, or Terminal Report) that the labor organization is filing under the hardship exemption procedures.


Note: If either the paper filing or the electronic filing is not received in the timeframe specified above, the report will be considered delinquent.


SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING FORM T-1 IN PAPER FORMAT:


Those labor organizations that are granted an exemption to complete the Form T-1 in paper format should download the reporting software from the OLMS Web site at www.olms.dol.gov. If they are unable to download the Form T-1 they should contact OLMS at [email protected], by phone at (202) 693-0124, or by fax at (202) 693-1340 and OLMS will provide a paper form. The form must be completed, signed, and filed at the following address:


U.S. Department of Labor

Employment Standards Administration

Office of Labor-Management Standards

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Room N-5616

Washington, DC 20210-0001



Information Entry


Entries on the report should be typed or clearly printed in black ink. Do not use a pencil or any other color ink.


In all Items and Schedules dealing with monetary values, report amounts in dollars only. Do not enter cents. Round cents to the nearest dollar. Enter a single “0” in the boxes for reporting dollars if the labor organization has nothing to report.


Entering Dollars:


$1,573,844 – do not enter cents


Entering Zero:


$ _, _ _ _, _ _ 0


Entering “Yes” or “No”


For items requiring a “Yes” or “No” answer, enter an “X” in the appropriate box. Do not use check marks or other marks.


Schedules 1 through 3 Continuation Pages


If the union is completing the report in paper format, multiple copies of the Initial Itemization Page and the Continuation Itemization Pages for Schedules 1 and 2 and continuation pages for Schedule 3 can be generated from the Form T-1 software available on the OLMS Web site at www.olms.dol.gov. If you are unable to download the software, additional copies of these pages may be requested by email from [email protected]; by phone at (202) 693-1233; or by fax at (202) 693-1340.


Some of the items on the report require that further details be provided in Item 25 (Additional Information). If there is not enough space in Item 25 of a paper format report, enter the additional information on a separate letter-size (8 ½ x 11) page(s), giving the number of the item to which the information applies.


At the top of each page, enter the 6-digit (###-###) file number of the labor organization and the 7-digit (T###-###) file number of the trust as reported in Item 1 (File Number), the page number for each additional page, and the total number of additional pages attached. Totals from any additional pages must be entered on the line provided in each schedule.



IV. Public Disclosure


The LMRDA requires that the Department make reports filed by labor organizations available for inspection by the public. Reports may be viewed and downloaded from the OLMS Web site at http://www.union-reports.dol.gov. Reports may also be examined and copies purchased through the OLMS Public Disclosure Room (telephone: 202-693-0125) at the following address:


U.S. Department of Labor

Employment Standards Administration

Office of Labor-Management Standards

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Room N-1519

Washington, DC 20210-0001


V. Officer Responsibilities and Penalties


The president and treasurer or the corresponding principal officers of the labor organization required to sign Form T-1 are personally responsible for its filing and accuracy. Under the LMRDA, officers are subject to criminal penalties for willful failure to file a required report and for false reporting. False reporting includes making any false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact while knowing it to be false, or for knowingly failing to disclose a material fact in a required report or in the information required to be contained in the report or in any information required to be submitted with it. Under the CSRA and FSA and implementing regulations, false reporting and failure to report may result in administrative enforcement action and litigation. The officers responsible for signing Form T-1 are also subject to criminal penalties for false reporting and perjury under Sections 1001 of Title 18 and 1746 of Title 28 of the United States Code.


The reporting labor organization and the officers required to sign Form T-1 are also subject to civil prosecution for violations of the filing requirements. Section 210 of the LMRDA (29 U.S.C. 440), provides that “whenever it shall appear that any person has violated or is about to violate any of the provisions of this title, the Secretary may bring a civil action for such relief (including injunctions) as may be appropriate.”


VI. Recordkeeping


The officers required to file Form T-1 are responsible for maintaining records that will provide in sufficient detail the information and data necessary to verify the accuracy and completeness of the report. The records must be kept for at least five years after the date the report is filed. Any record necessary to verify, explain, or clarify the report must be retained, including, but not limited to, vouchers, worksheets, receipts, applicable resolutions, and any electronic documents used to complete and file the report.


SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS


VII. Labor Organizations in Trusteeship


Any labor organization that has placed a subordinate labor organization in trusteeship is responsible for filing the subordinate’s annual financial reports. This obligation includes the requirement to file Form T-1 for any trusts in which the subordinate labor organization is interested. A trusteeship is defined in section 3(h) of the LMRDA (29 U.S.C. 402) as “any receivership, trusteeship, or other method of supervision or control whereby a labor organization suspends the autonomy otherwise available to a subordinate body under its constitution or bylaws.”


The report must be signed by the president and treasurer or corresponding principal officers of the labor organization that imposed the trusteeship and by the trustees of the subordinate labor organization. Trustees must sign and date Form T-1 in the space below the officers’ signatures and telephone numbers in Items 26 and 27 (Signatures).


VIII. Completing Form T-1


ITEMS 1 Through 20


Answer Items 1 through 20 as instructed. Enter an “X” in the appropriate box for those questions requiring a “Yes” or “No” answer; do not leave both boxes blank.


1. FILE NUMBER — Enter in Item 1(a) the 6-digit (###-###) file number that OLMS assigned to the labor organization. If the labor organization does not have the number on file and cannot obtain the number from prior reports filed with the Department, the number can be obtained from the OLMS Web site at http://www.union-reports.dol.gov or by contacting the nearest OLMS field office listed at the end of these instructions. The labor organization’s 6-digit (###-###) file number must also be entered in the File Number boxes at the top of each page of Form T-1.


Enter in Item 1(b) the 7-digit (T###-###) file number that OLMS assigned to the trust. For an initial filing of a Form T-1, this number may be obtained by calling the OLMS Division of Reports, Disclosure & Audits at (202) 693-0124 or by contacting OLMS at the following address:


U.S. Department of Labor

Employment Standards Administration

Office of Labor-Management Standards

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Room N-5616

Washington, DC 20210-0001


For future filings, if the labor organization does not have the number on file and cannot obtain the number from the trust or from prior reports filed with the Department, information on obtaining the number can be found on the OLMS website at http://www.olms.dol.gov.


2. PERIOD COVERED — Enter the beginning and ending dates of the period covered by this report. The report should never cover more than a 12-month period. For example, if the trust's 12-month fiscal year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31, enter these dates as 01/01/20XX and 12/31/20XX. It would be incorrect to enter January 1 of one year through January 1 of the next year.


If the fiscal year changed, enter in Item 2 (Period Covered) the ending date for the period of less than 12 months, which is the new fiscal year ending date, and report in Item 25 (Additional Information) that the trust changed its fiscal year. For example, if the fiscal year ending date changes from June 30 to December 31, a report must be filed for the partial year from July 1 to December 31. Thereafter, the annual report should cover a full 12-month period from January 1 to December 31.


3. AMENDED, HARDSHIP EXEMPTED, OR TERMINAL REPORT — Do not complete this item unless this report is an amended, hardship exempted, or terminal report. Enter an “X” in the box in Item 3(a) if the labor organization is filing an amended Form T-1 correcting a previously filed Form T-1. Enter an “X” in the box in Item 3(b) if the labor organization is filing under the hardship exemption procedures defined in Section III. Enter an “X” in the box in Item 3(c) if the trust has gone out of business by disbanding, merging into another organization, or being merged and consolidated with one or more trusts to form a new trust, or if the labor organization’s interest in the trust has ceased and this is the terminal report for the trust. Be sure the date the trust ceased to exist is entered in Item 2 (Period Covered) after the word “Through.” See Section IX (Trusts That Have Ceased to Exist) of these instructions for more information on filing a terminal report.


4. AFFILIATION OR ORGANIZATION NAME — Enter the name of the national or international labor organization that granted the labor organization a charter.


If the labor organization has no such affiliation, enter the name of the labor organization as currently identified in the labor organization’s constitution and bylaws or other organizational documents.


5. DESIGNATION — Enter the specific designation, if any, that is used to identify the labor organization, such as Local, Lodge, Branch, Joint Board, Joint Council, District Council, etc.


6. DESIGNATION NUMBER — Enter the number or other identifier, if any, by which the labor organization is known.


7. UNIT NAME — Enter any additional or alternate name by which the labor organization is known, such as “Chicago Area Local.”


8. MAILING ADDRESS OF UNION — Enter the current address where mail is most likely to reach the labor organization as quickly as possible. Be sure to indicate the first and last name of the person, if any, to whom such mail should be sent and include any building and room number.


9. PLACE WHERE UNION RECORDS ARE KEPT — If the records required to be kept by the labor organization to verify this report are kept at the address reported in Item 8 (Mailing Address of Union), answer “Yes.” If not, answer “No” and provide in Item 25 (Additional Information) the address where the labor organization’s records are kept.


10. NAME OF TRUST — Enter the name of the trust.


11. TAX STATUS OF TRUST — Enter the tax status of the trust. For instance, a nonprofit trust may have a 501(C)(3) tax designation.


12. PURPOSE — Enter the purpose of the trust. For example, if the trust is a credit union that provides loans to union members, the purpose may be “credit union.”


13. MAILING ADDRESS OF TRUST — Enter the current address where mail is most likely to reach the trust as quickly as possible. Be sure to indicate the first and last name of the person, if any, to whom such mail should be sent and include any building and room number.


14. PLACE WHERE TRUST RECORDS ARE KEPT — If the records required to be kept to verify this report are kept at the address reported in Item 13 (Mailing Address of Trust), answer “Yes.” If not, answer “No” and provide in Item 25 (Additional Information) the address where the trust’s records are kept. The labor organization need not keep separate copies of these records at its own location, as long as members have the same access to such records from the trust as they would be entitled to have from the labor organization.


Note: The president and treasurer of the labor organization are responsible for maintaining the records used to prepare the report.


15. AUDIT EXEMPTIONAnswer “Yes” to Item 15 if the labor organization will be submitting an independent, certified audit in place of the remainder of Form T-1. If an audit report meeting the standards described in Section I (Who Must File) is submitted with a Form T-1 that has been completed for Items 1 through 15 then it is not necessary to complete Items 16 through 25, and Schedules 1 through 3. However, Items 26-27 (Signatures) must be completed.


16. LOSSES OR SHORTAGES Answer “Yes” to Item 16 if the trust experienced a loss, shortage, or other discrepancy in its finances during the period covered. Describe the loss or shortage in detail in Item 25 (Additional Information), including such information as the amount of the loss or shortage of funds or a description of the property that was lost, how it was lost, and to what extent, if any, there has been an agreement to make restitution or any recovery by means of repayment, fidelity bond, insurance, or other means.


17. ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS — If Item 17 is answered “Yes,” describe in Item 25 (Additional Information) the manner in which the trust acquired or disposed of the asset(s), such as donating office furniture or equipment to charitable organizations, trading in assets, writing off a receivable, or giving away other tangible or intangible property of the trust. Include the type of asset, its value, and the identity of the recipient or donor, if any. Also report in Item 25 the cost or other basis at which any acquired assets were entered on the trust’s books or the cost or other basis at which any assets disposed of were carried on the trust’s books.


For assets that were traded in, enter in Item 25 the cost, book value, and trade-in allowance.


18. LIQUIDATION OF LIABILITIES — If Item 18 is answered “Yes,” provide in Item 25 (Additional Information) all details in connection with the liquidation, reduction, or writing off of the trust’s liabilities without the disbursement of cash.


19. LOANS AT FAVORABLE TERMS — If Item 19 is answered “Yes,” provide in Item 25 (Additional Information) all details in connection with each such loan, including the name of the union officer or employee, the amount of the loan, the amount that was still owed at the end of the reporting period, the purpose of the loan, terms for repayment, any security for the loan, and a description of how the terms of the loan were more favorable than those available to others.


20. WRITING OFF OF LOANS — If Item 20 is answered “Yes,” describe in Item 25 (Additional Information) all details in connection with each such loan, including the amount of the loan and the reasons for the writing off, liquidation, or reduction.


FINANCIAL DETAILS


REPORT ONLY DOLLAR AMOUNTS


Report all amounts in dollars only. Round cents to the nearest dollar. Amounts ending in $.01 through $.49 should be rounded down. Amounts ending in $.50 through $.99 should be rounded up.


Enter a single “0” if there is nothing to report.


REPORTING CLASSIFICATIONS


Complete all items and lines on the form as given. Do not use different accounting classifications or change the wording of any item or line.


ITEMS 21 THROUGH 24


21. ASSETS — Enter the total value of all the trust’s assets at the end of the reporting period including, for example, cash on hand and in banks, property, loans owed to the trust, investments, office furniture, automobiles, and anything else owned by the trust. Enter “0” if the trust had no assets at the end of the reporting period.


22. LIABILITIES — Enter the total amount of all the trust’s liabilities at the end of the reporting period including, for example, unpaid bills, loans owed, the total amount of mortgages owed, payroll withholdings not transmitted by the end of the reporting period, and other debts of the trust. Enter “0” if the trust had no liabilities at the end of the reporting period.


23. RECEIPTS — Enter the total amount of all receipts of the trust during the reporting period including, for example, interest, dividends, rent, money from the sale of assets, and loans received by the trust.


24. DISBURSEMENTS — Enter the total amount of all disbursements made by the trust during the reporting period including, for example, net payments to officers and employees of the trust, payments for administrative expenses, loans made by the trust, taxes paid, and disbursements for the transmittal of withheld taxes and other payroll deductions. Enter “0” if the trust made no disbursements during the reporting period.


SCHEDULES 1 THROUGH 3


SCHEDULES 1 AND 2 — RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS


Schedules 1 and 2 provide detailed information on the financial operations of the trust. These schedules will be populated by the electronic filing software as long as the trust’s records are maintained using a properly configured electronic recordkeeping system that is compatible with the software provided by the Department. Information about the electronic filing software and the technical specifications can be found on the OLMS Web site at http://www.olms.dol.gov. A detailed user guide is included with the electronic filing software.


All “major” receipts during the reporting period must be separately identified in Schedule 1. A “major” receipt includes: 1) any individual receipt of $10,000 or more; or 2) total receipts from any single entity or individual that aggregate to $10,000 or more during the reporting period. This process is discussed further below.


All “major” disbursements during the reporting period must be separately identified in Schedule 2. A “major” disbursement includes: 1) any individual disbursement of $10,000 or more; or 2) total disbursements to any single entity or individual that aggregate to $10,000 or more during the reporting period. This process is discussed further below.


Note: Disbursements to officers and employees of the trust who received more than $10,000 from the trust during the reporting period should be reported in Schedule 3, and need not also be reported in Schedule 2.


Example 1: The trust has an ongoing contract with a law firm that provides a wide range of legal services to which a single payment of $10,000 is made each month. Each payment would be listed in Schedule 2.


Example 2: The trust received a settlement of $14,000 in a small claims lawsuit. The receipt would be individually identified in Schedule 1.


Example 3: The trust made three payments of $4,000 each to an office supplies vendor for office supplies during the reporting period. The $12,000 in disbursements to the vendor would be reported in Schedule 2 in Line I of an Initial Itemization Page for that vendor.


Procedures for Completing Schedules 1 and 2


Complete an Initial Itemization Page and a Continuation Itemization Page(s), as necessary, for each payer/payee for whom there is (1) an individual receipt/disbursement of $10,000 or more or (2) total receipts/disbursements that aggregate to $10,000 or more during the reporting period. For each major receipt/disbursement, provide the full name and business address of the entity or individual, type of business or job classification of the entity or individual, purpose of the receipt/disbursement, date, and amount of the receipt/disbursement. Receipts/disbursements must be listed in chronological order.


An Initial Itemization Page must be completed for each payer/payee described above. If the Form T-1 is being prepared using the reporting software provided by the Department, the Initial Itemization Page will expand to fit the number of major receipts/disbursements for the payer/payee. If the report is being completed in paper format and more than one page is needed for a single payer/payee, the Continuation Itemization Page should be used for all subsequent pages.


Enter in Column (A) the full name and business address of the entity or individual from which the receipt was received or to which the disbursement was made. Do not abbreviate the name of the entity or individual. If you do not have access to the full address, the city and state is sufficient.


Enter in Column (B) the type of business or job classification of the entity or individual, such as printing company, office supplies vendor, lobbyist, think tank, marketing firm, bookkeeper, receptionist, shop steward, legal counsel, union member, etc.


Enter in Column (C) the purpose of the receipt/disbursement, which means a brief statement or description of the reason the receipt/disbursement was made.


Enter in Column (D) the date that the receipt/disbursement was made. The date of receipt/disbursement for reporting purposes is the date the trust actually received or disbursed the money, rather than the date that the right to receive, or the obligation to disburse, was incurred.


Enter in Column (E) the amount of the receipt/disbursement.


Enter in Line (F) the total of all transactions listed in Column (E).


Enter in Line (G) the totals from any Continuation Itemization Pages for this payer/payee.


Enter in Line (H) the total of all itemized transactions with this payer/payee (the sum of Lines (F) and (G)).


Enter in Line (I) the total of all other transactions with this payer/payee (that is, all individual transactions of less than $10,000 each).


Enter in Line (J) the total of all transactions with this payer/payee (the sum of Lines (H) and (I)).


Special Instructions for Reporting Credit Card Disbursements


Disbursements to credit card companies may not be reported as a single disbursement to the credit card company as the vendor. Instead, charges appearing on credit card bills paid during the reporting period must be allocated to the recipient of the payment by the credit card company according to the same process as described above.


The Department recognizes that filers will not always have the same access to information regarding credit card payments as with other transactions. Filers should report all of the information required in the itemization schedule that is available to the union.


For instance, in the case of a credit card transaction for which the receipt(s) and monthly statement(s) do not provide the full legal name of a payee and the trust does not have access to any other documents that would contain the information, the union should report the name as it appears on the receipt(s) and statement(s). Similarly, if the receipt(s) and statement(s) do not include a full street address, the union should report as much information as is available and no less than the city and state.


Once these transactions have been incorporated into the recordkeeping system they can be treated like any other transaction for purposes of assigning a description and purpose.


In instances when a credit card transaction is canceled and the charge is refunded in whole or part by entry of a credit on the credit card statement, the charge should be treated as a disbursement, and the credit should be treated as a receipt. In reporting the credit as a receipt, Column (C) of Schedule 1 must indicate that the receipt was in refund of a disbursement, and must identify the disbursement by date and amount.


Special Procedures for Reporting Confidential Information


Filers may use the procedure described below to report the following types of information:


  • Information that would identify individuals paid by the trust to work in a non-union bargaining unit in order to assist the union in organizing employees, provided that such individuals are not employees of the trust who receive more than $10,000 in the aggregate in the reporting year from the trust. Employees receiving more than $10,000 must be reported on Schedule 3;


  • Information that would expose the reporting union’s prospective organizing strategy. The union must be prepared to demonstrate that disclosure of the information would harm an organizing drive. Absent unusual circumstances information about past organizing drives should not be treated as confidential;


  • Information that would provide a tactical advantage to parties with whom the reporting union or an affiliated union is engaged or will be engaged in contract negotiations. The union must be prepared to demonstrate that disclosure of the information would harm a contract negotiation. Absent unusual circumstances information about past contract negotiations should not be treated as confidential;


  • Information pursuant to a settlement that is subject to a confidentiality agreement, or that the union or trust is otherwise prohibited by law from disclosing; and,


  • Information in those situations where disclosure would endanger the health or safety of an individual.


With respect to these specific types of information, if the reporting union can demonstrate that itemized disclosure of a specific major receipt or disbursement, or aggregated receipt or disbursement would be adverse to the union or trust’s legitimate interests, the union may exclude the transaction from Schedules 1 and 2. In Item 25 (Additional Information) the union must identify each schedule from which any itemized receipts or disbursements were excluded because of an asserted legitimate interest in confidentiality based on one of the first three reasons listed above. No notation need be made for exclusions of information disclosure of which is prohibited by law or that would endanger the health or safety of an individual. The notation must describe the general types of information that were omitted from the schedule, but the name of the payer/payee, date, and amount of the transaction(s) is not required.


A union member, however, has the statutory right “to examine any books, records, and accounts necessary to verify” the financial report if the member can establish “just cause” for access to the information. 29 U.S.C. 431(c); 29 U.S.C. CFR 403.8 (2002). Any exclusion of itemized receipts or disbursements from Schedules 1 or 2 for one of the first three reasons listed above would constitute a per se demonstration of “just cause” for purposes of this Act. Consequently, any union member (and the Department), upon request, has the right to review the undisclosed information in the union's possession at the time of the request that otherwise would have appeared in the applicable schedule if the information is withheld in order to protect confidentiality interests. The union also must make a good faith effort to obtain additional information from the trust. Exclusion of information disclosure of which is prohibited by law or that would endanger the health or safety of an individual creates no per se demonstration of “just cause.”



SCHEDULE 3 — DISBURSEMENTS TO OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TRUST



List the names and titles of all officers of the trust, whether or not any salary or disbursements were made to them or on their behalf by the trust. Report all direct and indirect disbursements to all officers of the trust and to all employees of the trust who received more than $10,000 in gross salaries, allowances, and other direct and indirect disbursements from the trust during the reporting period. If no direct or indirect disbursements were made to any officer of the trust enter 0 in Columns (B) through (F) opposite the officer’s name.


NOTE: A “direct disbursement” to an officer or employee is a payment made by the trust to the officer or employee in the form of cash, property, goods, services, or other things of value.


An “indirect disbursement” to an officer or employee is a payment made by the trust to another party for cash, property, goods, services, or other things of value received by or on behalf of the officer or employee. “On behalf of the officer or employee” means received by a party other than the officer or employee of the trust for the personal interest or benefit of the officer or employee. Such payments include payments made by the trust for charges on an account of the trust for credit extended to or purchases by, or on behalf of, the officer or employee.


Column (A): Enter in Column (A) the last name, first name, and middle initial of each person who was either (1) an officer of the trust at any time during the reporting period or (2) an employee of the trust who received more than $10,000 in total disbursements from the trust during the reporting period. Also enter the title or the position held by each officer or employee listed. If an officer or employee held more than one position during the reporting period, in Item 25 (Additional Information) list each position and the dates during which the person held the position.


Column (B): Enter the gross salary of each officer or employee (before tax withholdings and other payroll deductions). Include disbursements for "lost time" or time devoted to trust activities.


Column (C): Enter the total allowances made by direct and indirect disbursements to each officer or employee on a daily, weekly, monthly, or other periodic basis. Do not include allowances paid on the basis of mileage or meals which must be reported in Column (D) or (E), as applicable.


Column (D): Enter all direct and indirect disbursements to each officer or employee that were necessary for conducting official business of the trust, except salaries or allowances which must be reported in Columns (B) and (C), respectively.


Examples of disbursements to be reported in Column (D) include: all expenses that were reimbursed directly to an officer or employee, meal allowances and mileage allowances, expenses for officers' or employees’ meals and entertainment, and various goods and services furnished to officers or employees but charged to the trust. Such disbursements should be included in Column (D) only if they were necessary for conducting official business; otherwise, report them in Column (E). Include in Column (D) travel advances that meet the following conditions:


  • The amount of an advance for a specific trip does not exceed the amount of expenses reasonably expected to be incurred for official travel in the near future, and the amount of the advance is fully repaid or fully accounted for by vouchers or paid receipts within 30 days after the completion or cancellation of the travel.

  • The amount of a standing advance to an officer or employee who must frequently travel on official business does not unreasonably exceed the average monthly travel expenses for which the individual is separately reimbursed after submission of vouchers or paid receipts, and the individual does not exceed 60 days without engaging in official travel.


Do not report the following disbursements in Schedule 3, but should be reported in Schedule 2 if they meet the definition of a major disbursement:


  • Reimbursements to an officer or employee for the purchase of investments or fixed assets, such as reimbursing an officer or employee for a file cabinet purchased for office use;


  • Indirect disbursements for temporary lodging (room rent charges only) or transportation by public carrier necessary for conducting official business while the officer or employee is in travel status away from his or her home and principal place of employment with the trust if payment is made by the trust directly to the provider or through a credit arrangement;


  • Disbursements made by the trust to someone other than an officer or employee as a result of transactions arranged by an officer or employee in which property, goods, services, or other things of value were received by or on behalf of the trust rather than the officer or employee, such as rental of offices and meeting rooms, purchase of office supplies, refreshments and other expenses of meetings, and food and refreshments for the entertainment of groups other than the officers or employees on official business;


  • Office supplies, equipment, and facilities furnished to officers or employees by the trust for use in conducting official business; and


  • Maintenance and operating costs of the trust’s assets, including buildings, office furniture, and office equipment; however, see “Special Rules for Automobiles” below.


Column (E): Enter all other direct and indirect disbursements to each officer or employee. Include all disbursements for which cash, property, goods, services, or other things of value were received by or on behalf of each officer or employee and were essentially for the personal benefit of the officer or employee and not necessary for conducting official business of the trust.


Include in Column (E) all disbursements for transportation by public carrier between the officer or employee’s home and place of employment or for other transportation not involving the conduct of official business. Also, include the operating and maintenance costs of all the trust’s assets (automobiles, etc.) furnished to officers or employees essentially for the officers or employees’ personal use rather than for use in conducting official business.


Column (F): Add Columns (B) through (E) of each Line and enter the totals in Column (F).


Enter on Line 10 the totals from any continuation pages for Schedule 3.


Enter the totals of Lines 1 through 10 for each Column on Line 11.


SPECIAL RULES FOR AUTOMOBILES


Include in Column (E) of Schedule 3 that portion of the operating and maintenance costs of any automobile owned or leased by the trust to the extent that the use was for the personal benefit of the officer or employee to whom it was assigned. This portion may be computed on the basis of the mileage driven on official business compared with the mileage for personal use. The portion not included in Column (E) must be reported in Column (D).


Alternatively, rather than allocating these operating and maintenance costs between Columns (D) and (E), if 50% or more of the officer or employee’s use of the vehicle was for official business, the trust may enter in Column (D) all disbursements relative to that vehicle with an explanation in Item 25 (Additional Information) indicating that the vehicle was also used part of the time for personal business. Likewise, if less than 50% of the officer or employee’s use of the vehicle was for official business, the trust may report all disbursements relative to the vehicle in Column (E) with an explanation in Item 25 indicating that the vehicle was also used part of the time on official business.


The amount of decrease in the market value of an automobile used over 50% of the time for the personal benefit of an officer or employee must also be reported in Item 25.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AND SIGNATURES


25. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — Use Item 25 to provide additional information as indicated on Form T-1 and in these instructions. If you are filing the Form T-1 in a paper format and there is not enough space in Item 25, see the instructions for continuation pages in Section III (How to File).

26-27. SIGNATURES — The completed Form T-1 that is filed with OLMS must be signed by both the president and treasurer, or corresponding principal officers, of the labor organization. If an officer other than the president or treasurer performs the duties of the principal executive or principal financial officer, the other officer may sign the report. If an officer other than the president or treasurer signs the report, enter the correct title in Item 26 or 27, and explain in Item 25 (Additional Information) why the president or treasurer did not sign the report. Electronically submitted forms must be signed with digital signatures which will automatically enter the date. Information about this system can be obtained on the OLMS Web site at http://www.olms.dol.gov.


Enter the date the report was signed and the telephone number at which the signatories conduct official business; a private, unlisted telephone number does not have to be reported. On a paper Form T-1 submitted pursuant to a hardship exemption, original signatures are required; stamped or mechanical signatures are not acceptable.


IX. Trusts That Have Ceased to Exist


If a trust has gone out of existence as a trust in which a labor organization is interested, the president and treasurer of the labor organization must file a terminal financial report for the period from the beginning of the trust’s fiscal year to the date of termination. A terminal financial report must be filed if the trust has gone out of business by disbanding, merging into another organization, or being merged and consolidated with one or more trusts to form a new trust. Similarly, if a trust in which a labor organization previously was interested continues to exist, but the labor organization’s interest terminates, the labor organization must file a terminal financial report for that trust.


The terminal financial report must be filed within 30 days after the date of termination to the following address:


U.S. Department of Labor

Employment Standards Administration

Office of Labor-Management Standards

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Room N-5616

Washington, DC 20210-0001


To complete a terminal report on Form T-1, follow the instructions in Section VIII and, in addition:


  • Enter the date the trust, or the labor organization’s interest in the trust, ceased to exist in Item 2 after the word “Through.”


  • Enter an “X” in the box in Item 3(c) indicating that the trust, or the labor organization’s interest in the trust, ceased to exist during the reporting period and that this is the terminal Form T-1 for the trust from the labor organization.


  • Enter “3(c)” in the Item Number column in Item 25 (Additional Information) and provide a detailed statement of the reason the trust, or the labor organization’s interest in the trust, ceased to exist. If the trust ceased to exist, also report in Item 25 plans for the disposition of the trust’s cash and other assets, if any. Provide the name and address of the person or organization that will retain the records of the terminated organization. If the trust merged with another trust, report that organization’s name and address.


Contact the nearest OLMS field office listed below if you have questions about filing a terminal report.


If You Need Assistance


The Office of Labor-Management Standards has field offices located in the following cities to assist you if you have any questions concerning LMRDA and CSRA reporting requirements.

Atlanta, GA

Birmingham, AL

Boston, MA

Buffalo, NY

Chicago, IL

Cincinnati, OH

Cleveland, OH

Dallas, TX

Denver, CO

Detroit, MI

Grand Rapids, MI

Guaynabo, PR

Honolulu, HI

Houston, TX

Kansas City, MO

Los Angeles, CA

Miami (Ft. Lauderdale), FL

Milwaukee, WI

Minneapolis, MN

Nashville, TN

New Haven, CT

New Orleans, LA

New York, NY

Newark (Iselin), NJ

Philadelphia, PA

Pittsburgh, PA

St. Louis, MO

San Francisco, CA

Seattle, WA

Tampa, FL

Washington, DC


Consult the OLMS Web site listed below or local telephone directory listings under United States Government, Labor Department, Office of Labor-Management Standards, for the address and telephone number of the nearest field office.


Copies of labor organization annual financial reports, employer reports, and labor relations consultant reports filed for the year 2000 and after can be viewed and printed at http://www.union-reports.dol.gov. Copies of reports for the year 1999 and earlier can be ordered through the Web site.


Information about OLMS, including key personnel and telephone numbers, compliance assistance materials, the text of the LMRDA, and related Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations documents, is also available at:


http://www.olms.dol.gov




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File Typeapplication/msword
File TitleINSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM LM-2
Authorpboswort
Last Modified Bybissell-katherine
File Modified2006-07-28
File Created2006-07-28

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