On September 9, 2021, the Honorable David M. Lawson of the District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan appointed Gil M. Soffer of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP as independent Adjudications Officer under the Consent Decree entered into by the United States and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). No. 20-cv-13293 (E.D. Mich.).
The Consent Decree outlines the responsibilities and authority of the Adjudications Officer. The Consent Decree is available here.
Disciplinary Proceedings
The Adjudications Officer has the right and authority of the UAW International President and International Executive Board to impose discipline up to and including expulsion from membership in the UAW and its constituent entities when a member has engaged in actions or inactions that (i) violate the injunctive prohibitions of the Consent Decree, (ii) violate any criminal law involving the establishment or the operation of a labor organization, employee benefit plan, labor management cooperation committee, or voluntary employee beneficiary association, or (iii) further the direct or indirect influence of any barred person, or the threat of such influence now or in the future, as set out in the Consent Decree.
The Consent Decree gives the Adjudications Officer the authority to exercise all of the disciplinary rights and powers of the UAW’s International President, IEB, and the UAW Public Review Board for violation of the UAW’s Constitution and Ethical Practices Code.
Disciplinary proceedings before the Adjudications Officer will be conducted in accordance with the Consent Decree and the Disciplinary Hearing Rules.
Candidate Appeals
A person disallowed by the UAW Monitor from running for International Office can appeal the Monitor’s decision to the Adjudications Officer by filing a written appeal within seven days of the decision. The appeal can be filed using the address UAWAdjudications@katten.com. The Adjudications Officer will issue a written decision within ten days of receiving the appeal, unless the Court orders otherwise.