Fain Exposes Nepotism, Calls Out Monitor's Political Interference
In a live update last night, UAW President Shawn Fain pulled back the curtain on what he says is really behind federal monitor Neil Barofsky's investigations. He also shared new evidence that Rich Boyer and Margaret Mock, two candidates opposing Fain’s United UAW slate in this year's UAW election, tried to hire family members onto the International Union’s staff.
Fain argued that the investigations against him were never about protecting union democracy. Instead, he said they grew out of his refusal to go along with nepotism and concessionary bargaining, as well ans intimidation from the federal monitor who voiced personal concerns with the union’s anti-war position.
“The Monitor Had a Disagreement With Me That Became a Personal Vendetta”
Fain described a phone call he received from federal monitor Neil Barofsky in December 2023, after the UAW publicly supported a ceasefire in Gaza and harkened to the union's long history of advocating for peace and global justice.
According to Fain, Barofsky said he was calling “in a personal capacity” and criticized the union's statement, warning that Fain was “crossing a line.” Fain said he recorded the conversation.
“Our union's political positions have nothing to do with the federal monitor, and they're none of his damn business,” he said.
Barofsky later denied that he voiced any personal position during an International Executive Board meeting, leading to a heated exchange.
Just days later, the monitor opened his first investigation into Fain. “The Monitor had a disagreement with me that became a personal vendetta,” Fain said.
“The UAW Is Not a Jobs Program”
Fain also addressed allegations that he sought favors for members of his own family. He said those accusations are completely false.
Instead, Fain revealed that Rich Boyer, now running against him for UAW President, repeatedly tried to get family members hired by the International Union.
“I've blocked these requests time and time again because it goes against everything that we ran on,” Fain said. “The UAW is not a jobs program for elected International leadership's kids.”
During the livestream, Fain read from text messages with Boyer discussing a denied request to hire his grandson. Fain said Boyer also attempted to get his daughter hired, and that he blocked those requests as well.
“That's why Rich went running to the Monitor,” Fain said. “Because I wouldn't let him get his family members hired.”
Margaret Mock Also Sought Job for A Family Member
Fain also shared documents showing that Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock requested to have her son, Orlando Davis, hired onto the International staff shortly after she took office.
According to Fain, the request was submitted through Rich Boyer for a position in the Stellantis Department, despite Mock's son having little union experience.
Fain said he rejected the request. He also said Boyer later told him he only submitted the request because Mock refused to approve furniture and shelving for his office unless he did.
Putting the Membership First
Fain said the current administration has accepted the monitor's recommendations in hopes of ending the monitorship and returning full control of the union to its members.
“We've agreed to the Monitor's recommendations in the hopes that we can end the monitorship and put the union back in the hands of the members.”
Fain also defended his decision to remove Boyer from leading the Stellantis Department, pointing to concessions on attendance, mass layoffs, and the company's failure to uphold the contract.
“In a contract fight where we said ‘no concessions,’ Stellantis was the only company out of the Big Three [where our contract] made massive concessions,” Fain said.
“Even the Monitor agrees that Rich made concessions on attendance.”
As the UAW election campaign continues, Fain said the choice facing members is about more than personalities. It's about whether the union returns to the old culture of favoritism and backroom deals or keeps organizing new workers, winning stronger contracts, and putting members first.
UAW Member Action has endorsed Shawn Fain and the United UAW slate he is running with in this fall’s elections. Ballots go out in late August.
