DOL agents have contributed significantly to the organized crime program, particularly in investigating white-collar crimes in labor unions involving employee benefit plans and labor-management relations. However, the DOJ believes that the carrying of weapons by DOJ agents should be restricted to situations where personal safety is involved and the FBI is unable to help. DOL agents generally do not need arrest powers, since most arrests are made after an indictment or criminal information has been returned and there is sufficient time to request FBI assistance. The DOJ opposes legislation conferring authority on the DOL to investigate all criminal violations involving employee pension and welfare benefit plans, but prefers to assign these cases on an individual basis. Any proposals to expand the DOL's authority would jeopardize the close coordination of covert investigations and the strict accountability of investigators to DOJ supervisors. Recent convictions involving labor-management corruption on the waterfront demonstrate the continuing need for Federal legislation in this area. Specifically, the DOJ urges passage of the Labor Racketeering Act which would make disqualifications from positions in labor unions, employer associations, and pension or welfare plans effective immediately upon conviction in a trial court.