U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has raised concerns about alleged workplace retaliation within the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. In a letter to UAW President Shawn Fain, Cassidy referenced findings from a court-appointed Monitor that accused Fain’s office of retaliating against Secretary Treasurer Margaret Mock and Vice President Rich Boyer. Both officers had been elected in the union’s first direct election for International Executive Board positions.
The Monitor reported that Mock lost oversight of several departments and was removed from two board positions after instituting strict expense policies. The investigation concluded she was subjected to retaliation rather than any dereliction of duty. Boyer claimed his removal from department oversight was linked to his refusal to make staffing changes that would benefit Fain’s fiancé and her sister. Both officials have since been reinstated.
Cassidy is investigating whether members’ dues were used inappropriately for legal proceedings related to these internal disputes and if similar retaliation has occurred against other union members.
“Your conduct, and that of several UAW employees and officers under your supervision or in coordination with you, is an abuse of UAW members’ trust,” wrote Dr. Cassidy. “These actions create a serious distraction from UAW’s purpose to improve and protect UAW members’ wages, benefits, work hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.”
In his letter, Cassidy asked Fain for detailed information on the cost—both financial and in employee hours—to union members as a result of these disputes involving Mock and Boyer. He also requested assurances that dues would not be increased to cover litigation expenses arising from allegations of retaliation.
Additional questions focused on whether there are written policies addressing workplace retaliation or nepotism within the UAW, whether those policies apply equally to elected officers as well as staff, and if processes exist for reporting complaints without fear of reprisal.
The HELP Committee oversees labor protections among its responsibilities according to its official website, which includes oversight over workforce issues such as those raised by Cassidy.
Cassidy further questioned why Boyer was reportedly denied counsel at an appeals meeting despite constitutional provisions allowing representation by counsel for such matters within the UAW. He also pressed for clarification on how departmental assignments are defined in election materials and sought definitions for terms like “dereliction of duty” or “dishonest act,” which are cited in justifying removals but not clearly defined by the union’s constitution.
Cassidy requested answers by January 30th, 2026.
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