A. Landrum-Griffin Act

• Jurisdiction: New York

A. Landrum-Griffin Act⁴³⁴

The Landrum-Griffin Act prescribes a bill of rights for members of unions that represent private sector employees.⁴³⁵ It includes the right to participate in union elections, both as candidate and voter,⁴³⁶ the right to express views at meetings,⁴³⁷ assurance that dues increases will be approved pursuant to specified procedures,⁴³⁸ the right of members to sue their union⁴³⁹ and safeguards against improper disciplinary action.⁴⁴⁰

"The officers, agents, shop stewards, and other representatives of a labor organization occupy positions of trust in relation to such organization and its members as a group."⁴⁴¹ Accordingly, they are accountable for their handling of union funds entrusted to them, must refrain from actions involving a conflict of interest and must account for profits received while using their union office for personal advantage.⁴⁴²

Member rights under the Landrum-Griffin Act, except for those rights specified in Title I, may be enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor.⁴⁴³ Violations of the bill of rights in Title I may be redressed in a civil action...