The independent monitor overseeing the United Auto Workers (UAW) has confirmed that union President Shawn Fain retaliated against other union officials. Neil Barofsky, the court-appointed monitor, found that Fain targeted Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock after she refused or was reluctant to authorize certain expenditures for Fain’s office.
“Fain acted on a premeditated plan to take action against Mock,” Barosky wrote in his report released on Tuesday. He concluded that Mock’s duties were improperly stripped in 2024 and that she had been falsely accused of misconduct.
Fain and several other union executives have previously accused Mock of failing to put union members first, failing to produce a budget and obstructing bargaining and organizing efforts. However, Barosky found that Mock consistently complied with union policy and adhered to its strict financial protocols, which were implemented in response to prior financial scandals.
Although Barosky recommended the union to reinstate Mock, he doesn’t have the authority to enforce the action.
Mock responded publicly through her attorney following the report’s release. “Our members elected me to a position that requires me to zealously guard our union’s finances and our members’ sacred dues dollars,” she said. “The report released today by the court-appointed independent monitor confirms what I have said all along: There was no justification for action taken last year to remove me from positions I held on behalf of UAW members.”
While Barosky does have the power to initiate disciplinary action against the union, he indicated he would withhold further action as he continues his investigation.
In December, a federal judge ordered the UAW to hand over unredacted documents to the monitor after the union was found to have intentionally delayed the probe by withholding materials. Barosky’s broader investigation included additional allegations of retaliation, misconduct, financial mismanagement and potential embezzlement involving a regional director.
