## Trusteeship Resources

                                  - LMRDA Trusteeships
                                  - CFR Title 29 Chapter IV Part 408
                                  - OLMS Interpretative Manual Trusteeship Section
                                  - Trusteeship Forms (LM-15, LM-15a and LM-16)
                                  - Trusteeship Case Decisions
                                  - OLMS Enforcement

 

**Table of Contents**

Trusteeships - Definition & Requirements
                                - Trusteeship Defined
                                - Trusteeship Requirements

Existence of a Trusteeship
                                - Autonomy Otherwise Available
                                - Supervision of a Local
                                - Court-Appointed Receiverships
                                - Mergers
                                - Foreign Locals

Establishing a Trusteeship
                                - Lawful Purposes
                                - Unlawful Purposes
                                - Hearing Requirements

Administering a Trusteeship
                                - Duration of a Trusteeship
                                - Prohibited Activities
                                - Applicability of Other Provisions of the LMRDA

Reporting a Trusteeship
                                - Reports Required
                                - Signatures Required
                                - Where to File
                                - Public Disclosure
                                - Recordkeeping
                                - Computer-Generated Forms

Enforcement
                                - Civil Enforcement
                                - Criminal Penalties

OLMS Assistance

----

Trusteeship Requirements

This page provides general information about the trusteeship requirements established by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended (LMRDA), and the regulations implementing the standards of conduct provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA).

The LMRDA applies to labor organizations which represent private sector employees and U.S. Postal Service employees while the CSRA applies to labor organizations which represent employees in most agencies of the executive branch of the Federal Government. (Federal sector labor organizations subject to the Foreign Service Act or the Congressional Accountability Act are also subject to the trusteeship requirements.)

Trusteeships are normally established by parent body unions to assist subordinate unions having operational or financial problems or to restore democratic procedures. During hearings held prior to the enactment of the LMRDA, however, Congress became aware that the power to impose a trusteeship was sometimes used to “milk” local treasuries and perpetuate power by controlling votes undemocratically. The LMRDA therefore contains provisions for civil and criminal enforcement to correct abuses, but it neither prohibits nor discourages the reasonable and legitimate use of trusteeships.

This guidance was prepared by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards to assist those who are subject to the trusteeship provisions of the LMRDA or CSRA. It presents general information about the trusteeship requirements and should not be construed as an official interpretation of these laws or the regulations implementing them.

* *Back to Top

----

Trusteeships - Definition & Requirements

* *Back to Top

----

Existence of a Trusteeship

A trusteeship exists whenever a parent union suspends a subordinate union's constitutional or statutory autonomy; that is, whenever the parent assumes control over affairs that the subordinate would normally handle itself. Thus, an action referred to as an “administratorship,” “stewardship,” or “supervisorship” is a trusteeship if it involves a suspension of autonomy otherwise available, regardless of the word used to describe it. Even when the suspension of autonomy is only partial, a trusteeship exists and is subject to the LMRDA.

* *Back to Top

----

Establishing a Trusteeship

Section 302 of the LMRDA states:

“Trusteeships shall be established and administered by a labor organization over a subordinate body only in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the organization which has assumed trusteeship over the subordinate body and for the purpose of correcting corruption or financial malpractice, assuring the performance of collective bargaining agreements or other duties of a bargaining representative, restoring democratic procedures, or otherwise carrying out the legitimate objects of such labor organization.”

* *Back to Top

----

Administering a Trusteeship

* *Back to Top

----

Reporting a Trusteeship

* *Back to Top

----

Enforcement

* *Back to Top

----

OLMS Assistance

Additional information about the LMRDA and CSRA may be obtained from OLMS District Offices.

Information about OLMS, including key personnel and telephone numbers, how to obtain LM reports, compliance assistance materials, the text of the LMRDA, and related Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) documents, is also available on the Internet at: http://www.dol.gov/agencies/olms.

 

**Last Updated: 4-04-24**