Machinists Union Agrees To $151,000 Penalty
10/25/2005 2:02:08 PM
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) today announced a conciliation agreement (MUR 5386) with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District Lodges 141, 141-M and 142, Local Lodge 1487, IAMAW’s PAC (MNPL) and the PAC’s treasurer, in which they agreed to pay a $151,000 civil penalty for violating the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) by using union treasury funds to reimburse union member contributions to IAMAW’s PAC.
Between 2000 and 2003, IAMAW District Lodges 141, 141-M and 142 and Local Lodge 1487 held at least twenty conventions and conferences in which delegates voted, according to longstanding practice, to donate their registration fees to IAMAW’s PAC, MNPL. Many delegates from these lodges were reimbursed out of union treasury funds for their registration fees. Additionally, IAMAW officers and MNPL representatives at each district and local lodge were aware that registrations fees were being contributed to MNPL.
The Act prohibits unions from making contributions or expenditures from their general treasury funds in connection with any election of any candidate for federal office. Under the Act, it is illegal to reimburse any person for their contributions to any federal political committee. Therefore, a union may not reimburse its members, directly or indirectly, for any contributions they make to a political committee.
10/25/2005 2:02:08 PM
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) today announced a conciliation agreement (MUR 5386) with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District Lodges 141, 141-M and 142, Local Lodge 1487, IAMAW’s PAC (MNPL) and the PAC’s treasurer, in which they agreed to pay a $151,000 civil penalty for violating the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) by using union treasury funds to reimburse union member contributions to IAMAW’s PAC.
Between 2000 and 2003, IAMAW District Lodges 141, 141-M and 142 and Local Lodge 1487 held at least twenty conventions and conferences in which delegates voted, according to longstanding practice, to donate their registration fees to IAMAW’s PAC, MNPL. Many delegates from these lodges were reimbursed out of union treasury funds for their registration fees. Additionally, IAMAW officers and MNPL representatives at each district and local lodge were aware that registrations fees were being contributed to MNPL.
The Act prohibits unions from making contributions or expenditures from their general treasury funds in connection with any election of any candidate for federal office. Under the Act, it is illegal to reimburse any person for their contributions to any federal political committee. Therefore, a union may not reimburse its members, directly or indirectly, for any contributions they make to a political committee.
