The UAW’s ongoing corruption investigation involving embezzlement by its former president of Local 3 in Detroit has led to a strong divide within the union’s leadership and its rank and file members. Current president Gary Jones will have to act quickly if he is to bridge the divide before the start of 2019 contract talks. Members are demanding transparency from their leaders, and union officials need to make serious reform to regain trust quickly. The UAW members’ skepticism can quickly turn into cynicism, which makes ratification of any agreement more difficult and strips bargaining power away from negotiators.
See "Before talks, new UAW leadership needs to wash up", Automotive News, June 25, 2018