Skip to main content

Record Retention

Social share icons
Union Records Retention Policy

Questions often arise concerning the length of time union records must be retained.

Listed below are various forms retained by labor organizations and a suggested retention period for each form:

Hiring Hall Records - NLRB 6 Months from Date of Dispatch / 990 I.R.S. - 3 Years

Employee Tax Records - IRS, U.S. Dept. of Labor - at Least 5 Years from Date of Filing LM Reports and Financial and Records Used to Prepare

LM Reports - Retain Permanently

Collective Bargaining Agreements - Retain Permanently

Membership Applications - No Legal Requirement (Use Your Judgment)

Jurisdiction Agreements and Letters of Assignment - Retain Permanently

Payroll Records - 7 Years

Cancelled Checks - 7 Years

Financial Statements - 7 Years

IRS Returns - Retain Permanently (Except Backup Documentation)

Audit Reports - Retain Permanently

Paid Invoices - 7 Years

Members Dues Records - 5 Years

General Correspondence - 3 Years

General Membership Files - 3 Years

Election Ballot Materials - 1 Year (from Date of Certification of Election)