UAWD Communications with Monitor Neil Barofsky

UAWD is asking Monitor Neil Barofsky to create a level playing field for campaigning for the referendum vote.

For decades, the deck has been stacked against UAW members agitating for reform within our union. The Administration Caucus has engaged not only in corruption, but also widespread repression of dissidents across the UAW. When it comes to campaigning in a referendum vote about democracy itself, it is critical that we finally create a level playing field so that UAWD members and other reformers can make our voices heard, and so we can vigorously campaign for a more positive vision for the UAW.

UAWD has had three meetings with the federal monitor to date.  These letters, which you can view below, were sent by Scott Houldieson (UAWD Chairperson) and Tom Geoghegan and Will Bloom (UAWD lawyers) to Neil Barofsky, Glenn McGorty, and the rest of the monitor’s team. In these letters, we advocate strongly for:

• prohibiting the ability of the UAW International Union, a party to the original Consent Decree, to campaign against 1M1V in the referendum;
• the addition of electronic balloting, given the difficulty of reaching many UAW members solely by mail;
• making the monitor as accessible to UAW members as possible, so that issues such as missing ballots and violations of campaigning rules can be addressed immediately;
• and the creation of additional rules to ensure that campaigning in this referendum is as fair and equitable as possible.

We will continue to update UAWD members and supporters on our communications with the monitor. We expect a public announcement of the referendum date and campaigning rules soon. In the mean time, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. You should also reach out to the monitor directly at [email protected] or 212-303-2529.