Union Member Rights and 

Officer Responsibilities under the Civil Service Reform Act 

U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards 

Washington, DC 20210 

The standards of conduct provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA), among other statutes, guarantee certain rights 

to members of unions representing Federal employees and impose certain responsibilities on officers of these unions to ensure union 

democracy, financial integrity, and transparency. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) is the Federal agency with 

primary authority to enforce many standards of conduct provisions. If you need additional information or suspect a violation of these 

rights or responsibilities, please contact OLMS at 1-866-4-USA-DOL. You should also refer to 29 CFR 457.1 – 459.5, and your 

union's constitution and bylaws for information on union procedures, timelines, and remedies. 

Union Member Rights 

Bill of Rights - Union members have: 

 equal rights to participate in union activities 

 freedom of speech and assembly 

 voice in setting rates of dues, fees, and assessments 

 protection of the right to sue 

 safeguards against improper discipline 

Collective Bargaining Agreements - Union members (and 

certain nonunion employees) have the right to receive or 

inspect copies of collective bargaining agreements. 

Constitutions, Bylaws, and Reports - Unions are required to 

file an initial information report (Form LM-1), copies of 

constitutions and bylaws, and an annual financial report (Form 

LM-2/3/4) with OLMS. Unions must make these documents 

available to members and permit members to examine the 

records necessary to verify the financial reports for just cause. 

The documents are public information and copies of reports 

are available from OLMS and on the Internet at www.unionreports.dol.gov. 

Officer Elections - Union members have the right to: 

 nominate candidates for office 

 run for office 

 cast a secret ballot 

 protest the conduct of an election 

Officer Removal - Local union members have the right to an 

adequate procedure for the removal of an elected officer guilty 

of serious misconduct. 

Trusteeships – A union may not be placed in trusteeship by a 

parent body except for those reasons specified in the standards 

of conduct regulations. 

Protection for Exercising CSRA Rights - A union or any of its 

officials may not fine, expel, or otherwise discipline a member 

for exercising any CSRA right. 

Prohibition Against Violence - No one may use or threaten to 

use force or violence to interfere with a union member in the 

exercise of his or her CSRA rights. 

Union Officer Responsibilities 

Financial Safeguards - Union officers have a duty to manage 

the funds and property of the union solely for the benefit of 

the union and its members in accordance with the union’s 

constitution and bylaws. The union must provide accounting 

and financial controls necessary to assure fiscal integrity. 

Prohibition of Conflicts of Interest – A union officer or employee 

may not (1) have any monetary or personal interest or (2) engage 

in any business or financial transaction that would conflict with his 

or her fiduciary obligation to the union. 

Bonding - Union officers or employees who handle union 

funds or property must be bonded to provide protection 

against losses if their union has property and annual financial 

receipts that exceed $5,000. 

Labor Organization Reports - Union officers must: 

 file an initial information report (Form LM-1) and annual 

financial reports (Forms LM-2/3/4) with OLMS. 

 retain the records necessary to verify the reports for at least 

five years. 

Officer Elections - Unions must: 

 hold elections of officers of local unions by secret ballot at 

least every three years. 

 conduct regular elections in accordance with their constitution and bylaws and preserve all records for one year. 

 mail a notice of election to every member at least 15 days 

prior to the election. 

 comply with a candidate’s request to distribute campaign 

material. 

 not use union funds or resources to promote any candidate 

(nor may employer funds or resources be used). 

 permit candidates to have election observers. 

Restrictions on Holding Office - A person convicted of certain 

crimes may not serve as a union officer, employee, or other 

representative of a union for up to 13 years.

Loans - A union may not have outstanding loans to any one 

officer or employee that in total exceed $2,000 at any time. 

www.olms.dol.gov OLMS-public@dol.gov 1-866-4-USA-DOL