Unions (AFL-CIO) sue regulators (Labor Secretary Chao) over new rules

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Washington Times

By Jim McElhatton

The nation's largest labor organization has filed a lawsuit to block federal regulators from requiring unions to disclose more information about their officers' finances.

The AFL-CIO says new rules by the Department of Labor "should be held unlawful and set aside," according to a lawsuit recently filed against Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. The Labor Department says the new rules aim to help disclose potential conflicts of interest.

Under the regulations, officers and employees of a union in many cases must file a report with the Labor Department if they get loans or payments from vendors that do business with the union.

But attorneys for the AFL-CIO, which represents 55 unions and 10.5 million members, are criticizing the rules, saying Mrs. Chao doesn't have the authority to enact the regulations.


Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/NATION/162084735/1002/NATION