International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 2 v. U.S. Department of Labor

# International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 2 v. U.S. Department of Labor **What Happened** The Elevator Constructors Union filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for government records from the Department of Labor. The Department refused to provide detailed information about which documents it was withholding and why, instead submitting general written statements explaining its reasons. **What the Court Decided** The court sided with the Department of Labor. The judge ruled that when the government protects law enforcement records, it doesn't have to create a detailed list (called a "Vaughn index") showing exactly what documents exist and why each one is being kept secret. General written explanations are enough. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling affects workers' ability to access government information. When government agencies investigate workplace safety or labor violations, workers seeking transparency through FOIA requests may receive less detailed explanations about what records exist and why they're hidden. This can make it harder for unions and workers to understand what information the government is withholding during investigations that might affect their workplace rights.