The “persuader” industry has long been a thorn in the side of workers exercising their right to a union. These consultants, hired by employers to dissuade workers from organizing, have been known to use questionable tactics to sway employee opinions. And now, a recent analysis by LaborLab has revealed a disturbing trend: as of May 2023, only 44% of the LM-21 forms owed for 2021 have been filed by anti-union persuaders. This means that less than half of the consultants who engaged in persuader activity last year have disclosed their financial information as required by law.
This lack of transparency is a major problem for workers who deserve to know who is trying to influence their decision to unionize or not. The LM-21 form is a crucial tool for holding employers and their consultants accountable for their actions. By failing to file these forms, the “persuader” industry is effectively evading scrutiny and getting away with tactics that are often designed to intimidate and coerce workers.
It’s high time for the Department of Labor to take action against these non-compliant persuaders. Employers and their consultants must be held accountable for their actions, and workers deserve to have all the information they need to make informed decisions about unionization.
