Jordyn Grzelewski writes for The Detroit News:
Candidates who challenged incumbent United Auto Workers leaders in the union’s first-ever direct election of top officials scored some significant victories as vote tabulation continued Thursday. […]
Challenger candidates so far have unseated three incumbent regional directors who are part of the Administrative Caucus, and are leading in several other key races, according to early unofficial results provided by the office of the court-appointed monitor tasked with overseeing the union as well as the election.
In a statement, the Unite All Workers for Democracy caucus and UAW Members United — the candidate slate backed by UAWD — applauded the election of numerous challengers, calling the regional director wins “unprecedented … for the union’s top leadership.”
“These Regional Director victories show that the membership is ready to rebuild our great union. Brandon [Mancilla], LaShawn [English] and Dave [Green] will be strong voices on the International Executive Board for reform and democracy,” said Margaret Mock, a UAW Members United candidate for secretary-treasurer. “The companies should prepare for a new, more aggressive UAW.”
Brandon Mancilla, a UAW Members United candidate who unseated an incumbent in the election for Region 9A director, said in an interview that the results show “that members are tired of the status quo:” “It’s very clear that members want to take on the companies. And the companies need to know that there’s a new UAW coming and we’re ready for the fight.”
UAW Members United and UAWD noted that the wins marked the first time in more than 30 years that a candidate outside of the Administrative Caucus has won a position on the IEB.
Read more in The Detroit News.