Thursday, September 19, 2019

UAW Strike - Day 3 - Congressional Hearing Dropped In The Negotiation Plan - TARP

It seems there are those in Congress who possess the political fortitude to prepare hearings on decades of UAW corruption.

Unfortunately, it seems these brave "Elected Ones" are just going to have to breakdown and speak upon TARP, but probably not, because we are probably going to see the art of deflection.

Have no fear, the UAW has a formidable history that shall not be bleachedbitted, and it all started in Detroit, but no one will #sayhisname.

GOP lawmakers call for hearing on 'widespread, brazen lawbreaking' at UAW

Striking UAW members walk the picket line at the main entrance of GM's Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant Monday afternoon.Washington — Republican lawmakers on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee are calling for Congress to investigate what they call  "widespread, brazen lawbreaking" at the United Auto Workers union.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, and his colleague U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-NC, wrote in a letter to the top ranking Democrats on the Democratic-controlled U.S. House Education and Labor Committee that the panel should "hold a public hearing on the ongoing federal investigation of the United Auto Workers union for violating the Labor Management Relations Act."

They said it was "essential the committee confront the widespread, brazen lawbreaking by union leaders who purport to represent nearly 150,000 American autoworkers but have betrayed their trust in favor of self—enrichment."

The UAW, which is striking against General Motors Co., is in the midst of a union corruption scandal that has produced nine convictions, and last week led to a regional UAW director being charged. The federal investigation has implicated UAW President Gary Jones and his predecessor, Dennis Williams. Investigators allege the two are part of a multi-year conspiracy that involves misusing member dues and squandering them on poolside villa rentals in Palm Springs, booze, cigars, more than 100 rounds of golf and spending sprees at pro shops.

Walberg and Foxx said in their letter: "Since 2017, federal investigators have uncovered more than a decade of rampant corruption among the senior ranks of the UAW, which has included money laundering, tax fraud, bribery, and embezzling workers’ hard-earned union dues for lavish personal expenses."

Brian Rothenberg, a UAW spokesman, said in a statement: "The UAW and its membership are focused on taking care of GM and Aramark members to make sure they have quality health care insurance, as well as adequate pay and benefits.

"GM’s decision to cut access to health insurance for 48,000 members makes this an urgent issue for autoworkers right now," he said. "That is where all of our focus continues to be – on our members.”

Rothenberg's statement did not address the calls for congressional investigation of the UAW's leadership.

Everything you need to know about the UAW strike and corruption scandal

The call for a congressional investigation into the UAW's corruption scandal could put Democrats in Washington in a bind. Democratic lawmakers have been careful to stand alongside UAW rank-and-file members during the strike, while largely avoiding comment on the union and its leadership.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, both Democrats, joined picket lines on Monday to march with union members. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, marched with striking GM workers Thursday.

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