United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain is being investigated by an independent federal monitor due to accusations that he retaliated against other union leaders, as detailed in a court filing on Monday.
Neil Barofsky, the monitor appointed in 2021 following a corruption scandal within the UAW, began the investigation in February. The allegations include claims made by UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock, who stated she faced retaliation after refusing or hesitating to approve certain expenses for Fain’s office. Barofsky is also looking into actions taken by Mock.
In response to the investigation, Fain stated that he supports the monitor’s scrutiny of any claims brought forward. He emphasized the UAW’s commitment to serving its members and running a union based on democratic principles. Fain acknowledged that steering the union in a new direction can disrupt the status quo and upset some individuals.
The monitor expanded the investigation to include allegations made by Fain against Rich Boyer, who led the union’s Stellantis department. Fain assumed Boyer’s responsibilities in late May, alleging Boyer neglected his duties related to collective bargaining issues. Complaints later surfaced that Fain’s decision was retaliatory, stemming from Boyer’s refusal to participate in financial misconduct benefiting others.
According to the court filing, the monitor expressed concerns about the union’s delay in providing requested documents. Out of approximately 116,000 documents potentially relevant to the investigation, only about 2,600 have been submitted by UAW officials so far.
The Department of Justice informed the monitor that the union’s stance was hindering efforts to eliminate fraud, corruption, and illegal activities within the UAW.
Fain became president in the previous year after winning the union’s first direct election by a narrow margin. Under his leadership, the UAW orchestrated a six-week strike against Detroit automakers last fall and initiated a nationwide campaign to organize workers across the Southern and Western United States.
Recently, the union faced setbacks with a failed vote at a Mercedes plant in Alabama, despite a significant victory at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee just weeks earlier.
Fain’s role has garnered attention during this election year, especially from President Joe Biden, who seeks support from auto workers and voters in Michigan, a crucial swing state. Biden publicly supported striking auto workers alongside Fain in Michigan and invited him to attend the 2024 State of the Union Address following the UAW’s endorsement earlier in the year.
