United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain is currently under investigation by a federal court-appointed watchdog, Neil Barofsky, who is tasked with monitoring the union and eliminating corruption. The investigation is centered around allegations that Fain abused his power as union president, as well as accusations of obstruction and interference by union leaders, including Fain, in the investigation process. These actions could potentially violate a consent decree from 2020 between the UAW and the U.S. Department of Justice that prevented a federal takeover of the union.
The court filing revealed that the monitor, Barofsky, has been facing difficulties in obtaining the cooperation of the UAW in gathering necessary information for a full investigation. The monitor has expanded the investigation to include additional allegations of retaliation by Fain against one of the union’s vice presidents. In addition, an unrelated investigation has been opened into another unnamed UAW International Executive Board member, a regional director, following allegations of potential embezzlement. Fain released a statement in response to the filing, emphasizing the union’s commitment to serving its membership and running a democratic organization.
The accusations come at a time when the union is engaged in a national organizing drive involving nonunion automakers. Fain has gained international recognition for leading the union to secure record-setting contracts with major automakers last year, including General Motors, Ford Motor, and Stellantis. The concerns raised by the monitor, Barofsky, began in February when investigations were initiated into current members of the International Executive Board, including the President, Secretary-Treasurer, and a regional director. The probe originated from allegations of misconduct against Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock.
Mock had raised allegations of her own against the union’s President, claiming that the charges against her were false and that her authority was removed in retaliation for her refusal to authorize certain expenditures. The filing revealed that, after over three months since the monitor’s initial document request, the union had produced only a small portion of the potentially relevant documents, with the majority produced just days before the filing of the report. The monitor believes that the union’s delay in providing relevant documents is obstructing and interfering with the investigation, potentially violating the Consent Decree that was put in place following a corruption probe in the union that led to convictions of union leaders and Fiat Chrysler executives.
Fain’s statement reiterated the commitment of the UAW leadership to serving its membership, focusing on securing record contracts, expanding the union, and advocating for economic and social justice. The filing by the monitor highlights ongoing concerns regarding the lack of cooperation from the union in the investigation process, prompting further scrutiny into the actions of union leaders, including Fain. As the investigation continues, the implications of potential violations of the Consent Decree and the possible impact on the union’s operations and reputation remain to be seen.
