Old North News

Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx has taken action against 12 unions for recent fraud and corruption. In letters sent to the presidents of these unions, Foxx highlighted specific examples of corruption and requested information on efforts to protect members from such misconduct.

Foxx expressed her concerns in the letters, stating, "The Committee on Education and the Workforce (Committee) is concerned about fraud, embezzlement, and corruption perpetrated by union officials." She emphasized the need for unions to take measures to shield their workers from malfeasance and requested documents on their efforts to combat fraud and corruption.

The Committee's oversight efforts revealed alarming statistics, with Foxx noting, "The Committee is particularly concerned that over the past decade OLMS has reported 725 federal indictments and 693 convictions of union officials and other union associates." This has resulted in more than $3.2 million in embezzlement and $220,000 in bribery within the private-sector unions under investigation.

In response to these findings, Foxx requested detailed information from each union, including descriptions of their policies and procedures to monitor and deter fraud, the education provided to staff on proper accounting standards, internal reporting mechanisms for whistleblowers, and disciplinary policies for instances of misconduct.

The unions under scrutiny include Service Employees International Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Steelworkers, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Communications Workers of America, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Laborers’ International Union of North America, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Association, International Longshoremen’s Association, and United Mine Workers of America.

Foxx's investigation aims to ensure transparency and accountability within these unions and protect the interests of their members.