UAW Agrees To Monitor, Election Change In Settlement

DETROIT, MI — An independent monitor will be appointed to find and remove corruption in the United Auto Workers union, according to a civil settlement announced Monday between UAW and U.S. Attorney's Office.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said during a news conference Monday that the monitor will be in place for six years. Also announced Monday as part of the settlement is that union members will decide if they will vote directly on the union's leadership.

The union has been the subject of a longstanding investigation and scandal for over five years as federal investigators looked into bribery and embezzlement in its upper ranks. The investigation has led to 11 convictions, including two former UAW presidents, according to The Associated Press.

Monday's announcement holds off a possible federal takeover of the 400,000-member union.

In June, Schneider and UAW President Rory Gamble discussed a monitor to make sure union corruption is rooted out for good, according to The Associated Press.

Schneider's office had investigated union corruption since 2015. He had previously floated the idea of a government takeover and has advocated for direct voting by members to elect union leadership. Currently, the union’s members vote on delegates to a convention, who then vote on a president.

Information regarding how votes will take place moving forward will be released at a later time, Gamble said Monday.

Former UAW President Dennis Williams in September pleaded guilty in the government’s investigation, and his successor as president, Gary Jones, pleaded guilty in June.

Eleven union officials and a late official’s spouse have pleaded guilty since 2017, although not all the crimes were connected, according to The Associated Press.

Information and reporting from The Associated Press contributed to this report.