New federal disclosures reveal a familiar pattern: major employers from Texas to Pennsylvania are pouring thousands into “labor relations” consultants to fight union organizing drives. Once again, these filings highlight a systemic gap in transparency, as high-priced persuaders are often revealed to the public only after their work is well underway or, in some cases, after the ballots have already been counted.
Follow the Money
This week’s filings (LM-20s) with the Department of Labor spotlight four employers across diverse industries—retail, manufacturing, and food distribution all turning to professional union-avoidance firms.
- Gold Star Foods Inc. (Huntingdon, PA): Retained Labor Management Associates, LLC at $250 per hour. This effort targeted a drive by Teamsters (IBT) Local 110.
- Spec’s Family Partners, LTD (Galveston, TX): The liquor retail giant brought in the Cummings Group, LLC, paying a staggering $3,750 per day to counter IBT Local 988.
- Ross Stores Inc. (Dublin, CA): The discount retail chain hired LRI Consulting Services, Inc. at a rate of $425 per hour.
- PPG Industries, Inc. (Huntsville, AL): The global supplier of paints and coatings also engaged Labor Management Associates, LLC at $250 per hour.
A Win in the Dark: The Gold Star Case
The data from Gold Star Foods provides a textbook example of why the current disclosure timeline is failing workers. The agreement with the consultant was signed on January 13, 2026. However, the federal LM-20 disclosure was not filed until February 24th, which was four days after the election tally was announced.
While the workers at Gold Star Foods ultimately won their union (voting 8 to 4 in favor of representation with Teamsters Local 110 on February 20th), they were forced to navigate the campaign without knowing exactly how much their employer was spending to influence their vote, or which outside firm was crafting the messaging.
The Transparency Gap: When a disclosure is “Filed After Tally Announced,” the law’s intent is bypassed. Workers should know who is talking to them while it’s happening, not as a post-script to their victory.
What This Means for Workers
Whether it’s a daily rate of nearly $4,000 in Texas or a high hourly fee in Pennsylvania, these costs represent a massive investment in maintaining the status quo. The common thread across these filings is the Information Blackout.
By the time these LM-20 forms hit the public record, the “persuaders” have often already finished their one-on-one meetings and captive-audience presentations. For workers at Spec’s, Ross, and PPG Industries, the presence of these consultants and the legal firepower of firms like Littler Mendelson creates an uneven playing field where the employer’s wallet speaks louder than the law’s requirement for transparency.
The win at Gold Star Foods proves that worker solidarity can overcome high-priced opposition, but it shouldn’t have to happen in the dark.