Workers might jump to the conclusion that this investigation, prompted by allegations that Fain is retaliating against other members of the International Executive Board (IEB), is being conducted with UAW members’ best interests in mind. On the surface that might appear to be the case, after the federal investigation led to corrupt union officials and staff being barred from UAW membership and sentenced to prison in 2021.

Yet nothing could be further from the truth. The real retaliation that concerns UAW members is coming from the capitalist state, directed against the revival of class struggle unionism under Fain’s leadership.

Besides the big strike last fall, the UAW has conducted many smaller strikes in a range of industries and won union recognition at Volkswagen, making the Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant the first unionized U.S. auto plant outside of the Big Three.

Graduate students at a number of colleges and universities have unionized with the UAW. A strike threat, combined with pre-strike rallies and “practice pickets,” forced Daimler Truck to agree to major contract improvements.

Moreover, the UAW was one of the first major U.S. unions to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. It’s true that Fain’s position on Palestine is inadequate and contradictory — he has given President Joe Biden, “Genocide Joe,” a glowing endorsement and did not vote for a resolution in the IEB for the union to fully divest its funds from Israel Bonds. Nevertheless, it’s a step in the right direction and enough to earn the ire of the imperialist ruling class.