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:
- Integra Healthcare Equipment (Elmhurst, IL) engaged Independent Center for Worker Education on August 5, 2025, for a rate of $3,750 per day. The company is involved in a campaign with Teamsters Local 781.
- Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) enlisted Government Resources Consultants of America Inc on August 11, 2025. In an August 28 election, employees voted to unionize with IUOE Local 12, with a tally of 17 for the union to 2 against.
- Republic Services (Huntington Beach, CA) retained Action Resources on August 8, 2025, for $3,950 per day. This filing is connected to a campaign with IBT 396.
- Marcus Hotels, Inc. dba Hilton Madison Monona Terrace (Madison, WI) retained Action Resources on August 7, 2025, for $3,950 per day. In an August 20, 2025, election, employees voted to unionize with UNITE 1, with a tally of 43 for the union to 22 against.
- Eagle Materials/Mountain Cement (Dallas, TX) enlisted Independent Center for Worker Education on July 29, 2025, for $3,750 per day. In an August 20, 2025, election, workers voted to unionize with IBB, with a tally of 40 for the union to 26 against.
- Sibelco (Crystal Plant) (Spruce Pine, NC) enlisted East Coast Labor Relations, LLC on August 10, 2025, for $3,800 per day, in a campaign involving UMW 140.
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.