Recent filings with the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) continue to expose companies engaging “persuader” consultants. These LM-20 forms are a crucial mechanism for transparency, required when employers enlist outside consultants to influence employees regarding their rights to organize and bargain collectively.
This week’s filings reveal several new instances of employers retaining persuader services:
- Framatome Inc. in Richland, WA, has engaged Government Resources Consultants of America Inc. for persuader services. The agreement was dated June 10, 2025, targeting workers organizing with IBEW 77. The NLRB status for case 19-RM-367829 is currently open.
- QXOFive, located at American Lane in Greenwich, CT, has enlisted LRI Consulting Services, Inc. The agreement, dated June 10, 2025, specifies a compensation rate of $425 per hour.
- Brenntag Great Lakes, operating in Wauwatosa, WI, has retained Cummings Group, LLC. This agreement, dated June 9, 2025, came with a compensation rate of $3,000 per day and involved workers organizing with IBT 781. The NLRB case 13-RC-366406 is currently closed and was won by the union, with 13 votes for the union and 1 against, announced on June 26, 2025. This filing was made after the tally was announced.
- 3M Prairie du Chien, located in Prairie du Chien, WI, has engaged Perceptive Consulting. The agreement, dated June 12, 2025, involved workers organizing with United Steelworkers. The NLRB case 18-RC-367085 is currently open.
- McLaren-Oakland Health of North Perry Street in Pontiac, MI, has enlisted Heightened Solutions. This agreement, dated June 10, 2025, specifies a compensation rate of $500 per hour and targets workers organizing with AFSCME. The NLRB case 07-RC-365793 is currently open.
- ABC Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, Cooling, located at W 220 Campus Dr in Arlington, IL, has retained Employer Labor Solutions. The agreement, dated June 9, 2025, targets workers organizing with UA 130.
The filing of LM-20 forms provides transparency into employer-consultant agreements aimed at influencing employees’ decisions regarding union representation. The U.S. Department of Labor mandates these disclosures to ensure workers are aware when outside parties are involved in their workplace’s labor discussions. Unfortunately, the labor relations industry’s compliance with these transparency rules is low and enforcement needs significant improvement.
Anti-union “persuaders” can significantly impact the outcome of unionization drives. These consultants employ a range of tactics to thwart union organizing efforts. These tactics include disseminating false and misleading information about unions and their potential impact on worker benefits. They also employ intimidation tactics such as mandatory captive audience meetings where anti-union messages are delivered. Furthermore, persuaders may engage in surveillance, monitoring union activity and targeting pro-union employees, while also following workers, conducting one-on-one meetings, and collecting personal employee information that can be leveraged against organizing workers.