Recent filings with the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) continue to expose companies that engage “persuader” consultants. These LM-20 forms are a crucial mechanism for transparency, required when employers enlist outside labor relations consultants to influence employees regarding their rights to organize and bargain collectively.
Recent filings reveal new instances of employers retaining persuader services:
- AEG Vision (Dallas, TX) engaged LRI Consulting Services, Inc. on August 4, 2025, for a rate of $425 per hour. The company is involved in a unionization campaign with the UAW. The case was recently closed and the union’s petition was withdrawn.
- Trane Technologies (Noblesville, IN) retained East Coast Labor Relations on August 1, 2025, for $4,000 per day. This filing was connected to a campaign with IAM 739 which was also withdrawn.
- Pro-Vac (Kent, WA) enlisted Omar Cuadra on August 5, 2025, for $150 per hour. This effort involves workers organizing with IUOE 302 & 612.
- Cooper’s Hawk Intermediate Holding (Downers Grove, IL) retained Independent Center for Worker Education on August 4, 2025, for $3,750 per day. This involves workers organizing with UFCW 1473.
- Comfort Systems USA Southwest (Chandler, AZ) engaged Labor Consulting Group LLC on August 1, 2025, for $425 per hour. In a recent election, employees voted to unionize with UA Local 469, with a vote of 24 for the union to 21 against.
- Famous Enterprises (Akron, OH) enlisted Burdzinski & Partners, Inc on August 3, 2025, for $125 – $250 per hour, in a campaign involving IBT 30.
- Integra Healthcare Equipment (Elmhurst, IL) retained Independent Center for Worker Education on August 5, 2025, for $3,750 per day, with workers organizing with IBT 781.
The Role of LM-20 Filings and Persuader Tactics
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, including:
- Disseminating false and misleading information about unions and their potential impact on worker benefits.
- Employing intimidation tactics such as mandatory captive audience meetings where anti-union messages are delivered.
- Engaging in surveillance, monitoring union activity, and targeting pro-union employees.
- Conducting one-on-one meetings and collecting personal employee information that can be leveraged against organizing workers.