The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards today announced the launch of a data visualization tool designed to provide union members with a simple, straightforward way to see how their union dues are spent.
The new data visualization tool – the most significant update to Form LM-2 disclosure since OLMS started posting filings online over 20 years ago – takes information reported by unions on the Form LM-2, which can run hundreds of pages, and displays it in interactive graphs, charts, searchable tables, and multi-year comparisons that show how unions spend dues in areas like salaries, representational activities, and political contributions and lobbying.
The data visualization tool release follows the department’s launch of a modern open data portal at data.dol.gov that is providing more transparency and efficiency for users to access data related to the American workforce. Both updates help bring the department into alignment with the Federal Data Strategy established during President Trump’s first administration.
“Union members work hard to earn their paychecks and contribute their union dues – they shouldn’t have to work hard to understand how those dues are being spent,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “This update is just one of many changes the Department of Labor is making to serve the American worker more efficiently and effectively under President Trump’s leadership.”
Under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, certain unions are required to annually file Form LM-2 reporting their assets, liabilities, receipts, and disbursements. This reporting promotes transparency and helps ensure union members are better informed about their union’s financial conditions and operations. The data visualization tool, which is integrated into the online public disclosure room, provides better access to that information, enabling members to more meaningfully and effectively participate in the democratic governance of their union. The reporting also deters fraud and embezzlement, and aids union members and OLMS in detecting when fraud or embezzlement is happening.
“When union members can clearly see how their dues are being spent, they may notice irregularities that could indicate union officers or employees may be misspending the members’ hard-earned dues,” said Office of Labor-Management Standards Director Elisabeth Messenger. “We encourage any union member that sees anything out of the ordinary with their union’s finances to contact the Office of Labor-Management Standards.”
OLMS administers and enforces provisions of the LMRDA, which promotes union democracy and financial integrity in private sector labor unions, transparency for labor unions and their officials, as well as transparency for employers and labor relations consultants.