Members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union will participate in a direct election of UAW officers following approval by a U.S. judge. The change follows a referendum resulting from a 2020 Justice Department probe into union corruption.
According to a recent report from Reuters, U.S. District Judge David Lawson approved the results of the referendum and ordered that direct elections are implemented this June. More than 63 percent of current and retired members voted in favor of direct elections via secret ballot. The direct election system will be in place for the next UAW election cycle. Previously, UAW officers were elected via a delegate system.
Additionally, the UAW will be overseen by an independent court-appointed monitor, per the Justice Department settlement.
“We will continue to work with the monitor to ensure that the UAW is fully reformed, free of corruption and fraud, and that the union’s elections will be fair,” said U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dawn Ison.
As GM Authority covered in 2020, federal prosecutors opened an investigation into the UAW in 2017 following the discovery of millions in embezzled funds, which were spent for the personal benefit of UAW officers, including vacation villas, golf equipment, liquor, cigars, solid-gold pens, and even a Ferrari.
Two former UAW presidents, Gary Jones and Dennis Williams, were convicted, as were several of their accomplices.
Former UAW President Gary Jones (left) with GM CEO Mary Barra (right)
The deal between the UAW and U.S. Justice Department enabled the labor union to avoid a takeover by the federal government.
Although General Motors was not involved in the corruption case, GM’s crosstown rival, Stellantis, was. In August, FCA US was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to more than $3.5 million in illegal bribes to UAW officers, resulting in a $30 million fine.
At present, the UAW represents roughly 400,000 U.S. workers. It’s estimated that roughly 48,500 GM workers are represented by the UAW.
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Comments
Long overdue! I never did like the Delegate rule. Talk about A good old boy system! Now MAYBE the Rank and File can get real representation. Where it will no longer be top-down, set down and do as we say, leaders! The egos of the past oligarchs were disgusting.
There is nothin unusual about union corruption. It just adds to cost of goods produced as dose any made in a union shop. Workers in todays environment generally do better in a non-union workplace and don’t have to pay dues that brings them little, if any, real benefit.
Does the non-union made products sell for less money? NO, that means the executives just make more. During the covid19 shutdowns how much were the nonunion workers getting? Unemployment, union workers got 95% of their paycheck. You’re a typical redneck who believes everything your non unionized employer tells you.
Union corruption runs pretty deep. I for one am not convinced this alone will put a stop to it. Nonetheless, the production and efficiency stifling work rules and restrictions remain embedded – as do the inflated wages. If you want to blame any one thing for the reason why so many things are outsourced today – look no further than the unions that have made it too expensive to produce in this country. Corruption in the union ranks has always surpassed any corruption in the corporate ranks. Overall the livelihood and prosperity of most union workers is held back by the union. Ingenuity and creativity are negated because the union wants everyone treated the same preventing the most talented for getting rewarded for their greater potential and contribution. Unions hurt much more than they help nowadays.
“…and even a Ferrari.”
Not even a UAW-made vehicle.
As for corruption? Hard to believe a labor union could have corruption. They are there for the downtrodden little guy, after all…!
Sad that corruption is so universal. A human character defect. Corruption within government, business entities, labor organizations, educational institutions, health care, religious organizations, families.
Has always been. Will always be. Corruptin = FOLLOW THE MONEY.
Instead follow the biblical teachings of the ancient prophets and the man upstairs and his son.
UAW is lucky not to have been administered by Uncle Sam.
Its lust for power and control…..
Look at China, you have the upper class that has everything they want, and you have the lower class scraping the bottom of the barrel! There is no middle class, The lower class is essentially a “Pawn” that works for and is owned by the upper class! A business model that big business here in the USA would like nothing more.
I have worked and supported a trade union for 33 some years, but I have also seen how unions dug their own grave.
Look at China, you have the upper class that has everything they want, and you have the lower class scraping the bottom of the barrel! There is no middle class, The lower class is essentially a “Pawn” that works for and is owned by the upper class! A business model that big business here in the USA would like nothing more.
I have worked and supported a trade union for 33 some years, but I have also seen how unions dug their own grave.
Now lets see if the SAME OLD TYPES, Still SOMEHOW magically get elected.