Gary Jones, the president of the United Auto Workers union, is stepping aside to take paid leave amid a federal corruption investigation.
The UAW announced the move Saturday, saying Rory Gamble, the union’s vice president, will take Jones’ place in the meantime.
Gary Jones, United Auto Workers President, speaks in July during the opening of their contract talks with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Auburn Hills, Mich. Paul Sancya/Associated Press, file
Federal authorities have been conducting what has been a year-long investigation on corruption connected to the union. In August, federal agents searched Jones’s home, as well as that of former UAW president Dennis Williams, according to news reports.
“The UAW is fighting tooth and nail to ensure our members have a brighter future,” Jones said in a statement distributed by the union. “I do not want anything to distract from the mission.”
Jones recently led the UAW in an intense, six-week-long strike that saw production shut down at General Motors. Part of an uptick in strike participation across the country, it was the longest strike at the automaker since 1973 – and one of the largest private employee stoppages in recent decades.
The strike ended Oct. 25 after the union agreed to a new contract with GM that included raises, guarantees to bring some temporary employees on permanently and a more robust wage schedule to shrink the gap between new hires and longtime employees.
The federal investigation has been widening. Vance Pearson, the head of a 17-state region for the UAW, was placed on leave in October after being charged with embezzling union money, wire fraud and money laundering. Investigators said Pearson conspired with other union officials to conceal personal expenses that were paid for with union money at UAW conferences.
On Thursday, Edward “Nick” Robinson, 72, Jones’ aide and the president of a regional UAW council, was charged with conspiracy to embezzle union funds and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Authorities allege that he was involved in embezzling more than $1.5 million in members dues, with the money instead going to private villas, cigars, meals and golf, according to the Detroit News.
Court filings in that case refer anonymously to other union officials involved in wrongdoing who have yet to be formally identified as UAW Official A and UAW Official B.
Jones, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, has been at the helm of the union since June 2018. His lawyer, J. Bruce Maffeo, did not immediately return requests for comment.
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.