U.S. Department of Labor Blog
Unions depend on organization, accountability, and trust. A key part of that trust comes through transparency — understanding how your union functions and how it manages its resources. That’s where Labor-Management reports come in.
Whether you’re newly involved in your union or a longstanding member, understanding these reports helps you make sense of how your union works and make informed decisions about your role within it. Here’s what you should know.
What are LM Reports?
LM reports are disclosure forms that most unions file with the Office of Labor-Management Standards that are required by law and designed to promote transparency within labor organizations. They provide insight into a union’s financial activities and governance structure.
The type of annual financial report a union files depends on the amount of its revenues:
- Form LM-2: Filed by America’s largest unions, this form includes the most detailed breakdowns of income, expenses, officer salaries, assets, and liabilities.
- Form LM-3: Filed by mid-sized unions, this form summarizes financial activities, including loans, allowances, income, and expenditures.
- Form LM-4: Filed by small unions, this form includes basic financial information.
Each form offers a different level of detail, but all aim to help members understand how their union operates financially and organizationally.
What Can You Learn from an LM Report?
LM reports provide valuable insights into your union’s activities, including:
- Revenue and Expenditures: Where funds come from and how they’re spent
- Officer and Employee Compensation: Salary and benefit information
- Union Activities: Spending on organizing, representation, and other functions
- Governance Information: Details about upcoming officer elections and constitution and bylaws
Reviewing this information helps clarify how decisions are made, what priorities are being funded, and how resources are managed.
How to Access and Read LM Reports
Reading an LM report might seem complicated at first, but it’s easier than you think — and completely accessible to the public. Here’s how to get started:
- Visit the OLMS Online Public Disclosure Room
- Search for your union by name, location, or file number
- Open and review the most recent report filed by your union
Start with the summary pages to get a quick overview of total receipts, disbursements, and key financial details. Many reports also include schedules that break down categories like travel, legal fees, or political activity.
Why Transparency Matters
LM reports are tools that promote transparency in union governance and financial management. Making this information publicly available helps support informed participation and open communication between members and union leadership. Understanding your union’s LM report helps strengthen internal accountability, support better decision-making, and ensure that members stay connected to how their union operates.
Transparency also has potential benefits beyond just the membership. When employers have a clear understanding of union operations and resource management, it can facilitate open, productive communication during negotiations.
Ready to Explore?
Take a few minutes to get familiar with your union’s LM reports. It’s your union — your voice — and knowing how your resources are managed only makes your union stronger. Together, informed union members create better workplaces for the American worker.
Andrew Hasty is a policy and law advisor with the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards.