Posts tagged Neil Barofsky
DOJ Probe Stands to Undercut UAW Election, Organizing Goals
July 22, 2026 // The investigation is something anti-union advocates could cite as evidence that the UAW won’t be a good steward of union resources, particularly in the south where there is already a more hostile environment for organized labor. Organizing southern auto plants has been a chief goal for Fain and the UAW as it battles falling membership. Current numbers stand at about 400,000, down from a peak of about 1.5 million in the 1970s.
How UAW’s Bold Leader Got Caught in New Wave of Union Infighting
July 17, 2026 // Others worry internal conflicts detract from the union’s effectiveness. “We’re in an awkward time, because everybody who was on Fain’s team, they’re divided now, and they’re fighting each other, and that’s not good for a union,” said Tony Totty, president of a UAW local in Ohio, and a candidate for a national vice presidential slot.
Watchdog critic of TARP bailouts plays role in Shawn Fain graft controversy
July 15, 2026 // The DOJ is probing claims that Fain pressured a union official to provide financial benefits to his fiancee and a workers’ compensation claim for her sister, according to Bloomberg. Fain then allegedly punished UAW Vice President Rich Boyer for not approving the benefits by taking away Boyer’s position as lead negotiator with automaker Stellantis. Last month, Barofsky, the court-appointed monitor for the union, released a report about the accusations against Fain. “The Monitor’s investigation substantiated the claim that President Fain acted improperly to obtain financial benefits for his fiancée, and that Vice President Boyer’s failure to approve the bonus may have contributed to Fain’s retaliatory action against him,” Barofsky wrote.
Shawn Fain decries DOJ investigation over allegations he abused his office
July 14, 2026 // After UAW Vice President Rich Boyer accused Fain of using his position to seek favors for his fiancée and her sister, and of retaliating and making false accusations against him, the DOJ launched an investigation into the union leader, according to internal communications obtained by Bloomberg. Fain has also claimed the investigation is motivated by retaliation against his anti-corporate stance and hinted that the timing, coming right before a union election, is no coincidence. Boyer is running for the top position.
The moment tensions erupted between UAW’s Fain, federal monitor
July 8, 2026 // The expletive-laden discussion from February 2024 — details of which have never before been reported — is newly relevant after the court-appointed monitor, Neil Barofsky, released his latest blistering report about the union last month. It described how Fain, who is up for reelection this fall, had retaliated against union Vice President Rich Boyer, improperly used his authority to benefit his fiancée and her sister, and destroyed evidence including text messages.
Federal monitor says UAW head Fain abused authority; Fain denies findings
June 29, 2026 // he federally appointed watchdog overseeing the United Auto Workers union found that its president, Shawn Fain, retaliated against a top officer and improperly used his authority, including in ways that would benefit his fiancée and her sister. New York attorney Neil Barofsky, the monitor overseeing UAW activities, said in a report released on Thursday that Fain retaliated against a union official, Rich Boyer, after Boyer pushed back against some of Fain’s actions.
UAW finalizes candidate list for upcoming election. See who is running
June 18, 2026 // The United Auto Workers finalized its nominations for the highest seats in the union on Wednesday, June 17, with current Vice President Rich Boyer officially jumping into a six-person presidential race to unseat the incumbent, Shawn Fain. Boyer, who has been in an enduring feud with Fain, emerges as a prominent contender against the popular president. Delegates of the UAW spent Wednesday afternoon in the convention hall at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit nominating which candidates they would like to see take over the union's international executive board, which is a 14-member panel of leaders that oversees the operations of the nearly 400,000-member union. Nominations for officers (president, vice presidents and secretary-treasurer) were finalized on Wednesday evening.
Shawn Fain seeks reelection as UAW convention tackles major policy issues
June 15, 2026 // Key issues include: Increasing strike pay from $500 to $625 per week. Potentially reducing union dues from 2.5 hours of pay to 2 hours. Determining how aggressively to fund future organizing campaigns. Clarifying membership and retiree eligibility rules. Protecting the union’s direct election system. The convention comes as the UAW navigates the aftermath of a corruption scandal that sent two former presidents to prison and placed the union under federal oversight. Notably, court-appointed monitor Neil Barofsky has criticized Fain and other senior leaders over transparency and internal governance concerns, with another report expected soon.
In another letter to court, member urges monitor investigate UAW local
April 13, 2026 // The latest letter, submitted by UAW retiree Rick Michael, a former parole officer represented at UAW Local 6000 in Lansing, requests that the monitor look beyond President Shawn Fain and his administration's conduct. Previously, Michael wrote in December to ask the monitor to investigate claims of discrimination taking place at Local 6000. He had previously been told it was outside of the monitor's purview.
UAW Federal Oversight Cost Union More Than $25M So Far
April 4, 2026 // These rising expenditures come at a time when the UAW faces broader financial pressure, with relatively flat membership growth over the past several years. Despite these headwinds, the UAW reported more substantial gains in 2025, with total membership rising 4.6 percent to 392,447 members, up from 375,161 the previous year. The 2025 calendar year marked the biggest annual membership increase since Fain was elected as union president in 2023. The report also provides additional insight into compensation among UAW leadership, with Fain receiving $276,378 in total compensation last year.