Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) Standards of Conduct
|
Synopsis of Law
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) applies to labor organizations which represents employees in most agencies of the executive branch of the Federal Government. The regulations implementing the standards of conduct provisions of the CSRA incorporate many LMRDA provisions, including those related to labor organization reporting requirements.
On June 2, 2006 OLMS published a final rule that requires Federal sector labor organizations to inform members of their democratic rights including, among other things, the right to inspect collective bargaining agreements, to participate in officer elections and other union activities, and to exercise free speech rights without fear of retaliation. Notice must be given by hand delivery, U.S. mail, e-mail, or any combination as long as the method is reasonably calculated to reach all members.
This rule requires labor organizations to inform members of their rights by October 2, 2006. Notice to new members must be given within 90 days of their joining the labor organization. All members must be given notice of their rights in writing once every three years.
Federal sector unions may use the DOL publication Union Member Rights and Officer Responsibilities under the Civil Service Reform Act, available below, as the notice or they may devise their own language to inform members of their rights as long as it accurately states all union-member democratic rights contained in the standards of conduct regulations.
A Federal sector union which maintains a Web site must have a conspicuous link to Union Member Rights and Officer Responsibilities under the Civil Service Reform Act or to the union's own statement of members' rights.
Compliance Assistance Materials
General
- Standards of Conduct Regulations (29 CFR Chapter IV, Subpart B, Parts 457-459) (PDF)
- Union Member Rights and Officer Responsibilities Under the Civil Service Reform Act (PDF)
- Bill of Rights of Members of Federal Sector Unions — A Complainant's Guide (PDF)
- Informing Members of the Standards of Conduct Provisions for Federal Sector Labor Organizations Frequently Asked Questions
- Rights and Responsibilities Under the LMRDA and CSRA (PDF)
Reporting & Disclosure
- Reports Required Under the LMRDA and the CSRA (PDF)
- Public Disclosure Under the LMRDA (PDF)
- *OLMS Public Disclosure Website Demonstration (PowerPoint Show format; 1MB)
Elections
- CSRA Election Investigation Profile (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Union Officer Elections
Financial Safeguards
- Conducting Audits in Small Unions — A Guide for Trustees (PDF)
- Bonding Requirements Under the LMRDA and the CSRA
- Bonding Computation Worksheet
- Compliance Tip: Bonding Requirements
Trusteeships
Compliance Outreach
OLMS has an active education and compliance assistance program to promote voluntary compliance with the LMRDA and the CSRA by informing union officers and others affected by the law of their responsibilities and by encouraging members to exercise their rights under the LMRDA and the CSRA.
Compliance Assistance Seminars
OLMS District Offices throughout the country offer compliance assistance seminars to explain the requirements of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) and the CSRA. These seminars cover topics such as union reporting and recordkeeping, financial safeguards for union funds, elections of union officers, and training for union trustees on conducting audits in small unions. Some of these seminars are sponsored by labor unions, labor education programs, or other groups to provide training for their representatives while other seminars are solely OLMS sponsored and may be attended by any interested union officers and members. If your organization would like to sponsor a seminar with OLMS, contact the nearest OLMS District Office.
Upcoming Compliance Assistance Seminars
Questions & Answers
- What is the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA)?
- Who enforces the LMRDA?
- What are the standards of conduct provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA)?
- I belong to a union that is comprised solely of state employees. Does the LMRDA or CSRA cover my union?
- What rights are guaranteed to me as a union member under the Bill of Rights for members of labor organizations?
- More...
We Want to Know What You Think
Do you have comments or suggestions about the material offered here? Please take the DOL Customer Survey (via the link at the bottom of this page), or email OLMS directly at olms-public@dol.gov with any comments, suggestions, or concerns.
* If you are unable to view PowerPoint presentations, download a free viewer from Microsoft.
Last Updated: 04-01-11