Members of the United Auto Workers union have overwhelmingly approved picking their leaders by direct ballot elections.

The United Auto Workers union’s 397,000 members will vote by mail this fall on whether they want to pick their leaders in direct elections.

Retiring United Auto Workers President Rory Gamble says it's critical that electric vehicle component plants be union and pay top wages.

Ray Curry is taking over leadership of the United Auto Workers perhaps the most critical juncture in the union’s history.

Ray Curry is taking over leadership of the United Auto Workers perhaps the most critical juncture in the union’s history.

United Auto Workers President Rory Gamble, who led the union through a corruption scandal and the coronavirus pandemic, is retiring effective June 30.

The group will operate under the UAW Constitution’s standing committees on Civil and Human Rights. UAW President Rory L. Gamble believes that the formation of the group was long overdue.

The year 2020 was hard, but GM left the year with impressive earnings, beating Wall Street expectations. GM made nearly $4 billion in the last quarter of 2020 and $10 billion for the entire year. Ad“It’s been absolutely remarkable how the auto industry has rebounded and how well GM has done through this,” Krebs said. READ: GM 2020 profit drops, but it makes $6.43B despite pandemicThough things looked bleak in Spring 2020, in looking at the numbers, Krebs said GM couldn’t have timed its product roll outs any better. “Everybody’s buying SUV’s and trucks and guess what, GM introduced a whole family of full size SUV’s,” Krebs said.

DETROIT – The United Auto Workers and the U.S. attorney’s office in Detroit said they reached a settlement following a federal corruption investigation that’s stretched on for years. The goal of the settlement is to reform the union in the wake of a bribery and embezzlement scandal. The deal includes federal oversight for years to come and a critical vote by the rank and file. Federal authorities did not issue fines or penalties against the union, saying it would take away from members. UAW President Rory Gamble said while a dark chapter is now closed, he’s still disappointed by officials who stole from union members.

But he said that current UAW President Rory Gamble is not a target of the investigation. The probe has led to 11 convictions of union members, including two former presidents. Currently the union’s members vote on delegates to a convention, who then vote on a president. Former UAW President Dennis Williams in September pleaded guilty in the government’s investigation, and his successor as president, Gary Jones, pleaded guilty in June. Eleven union officials and a late official’s spouse have pleaded guilty since 2017, although not all the crimes were connected.

FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2019, file photo, United Auto Workers union President Rory Gamble answers questions in Southfield, Mich. But he said that current UAW President Rory Gamble is not a target of the investigation. The probe has led to 11 convictions of union members, including two former presidents. Currently the union’s members vote on delegates to a convention, who then vote on a president. Former UAW President Dennis Williams in September pleaded guilty in the government’s investigation, and his successor as president, Gary Jones, pleaded guilty in June.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. Labor Day is usually a day for the United Auto Workers union to flex its muscles as one of the largest labor unions in the country, but with the ongoing corruption scandal and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this year is very different. This year, the UAW is facing a crossroads on Labor Day. RELATED: Ex-UAW President Gary Jones pleads guilty in corruption caseThe traditional Labor Day Parade didnt happen Monday because the virus forced a cancelation. The UAW is going to close the National Training Center in Warren and one in Kokomo, Indiana. The union negotiated the closures in the UAW national contract last year as part of the federal investigation.

Former UAW president Dennis Williams rose to prominence within the union, starting as secretary-treasurer in 2013. He is the 15th person charged the UAW corruption investigation -- a list that includes former president Gary Jones. RELATED: Ex-UAW President Gary Jones pleads guilty in corruption caseIt was a year ago that the FBI raided Jones home in Canton and went into Williams home in California. Williams allegedly had taken more that $71,000 in union money. Jones was Williams choice and though he was elected it was baked into the cake before any convention.

DETROIT Members of the United Auto Workers met with federal prosecutors on Tuesday in the first step to bring reform to the union. The meeting was between U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider and UAW President Rory Gamble. During the meeting, Gamble and UAW representatives detailed reform measures that Gamble and the International Executive Board put in place for the union. READ: Former UAW President Gary Jones pleads guilty, faces up to 57 months in prisonThe Justice Department seeks genuine and sincere reform of the UAW so as to provide the best possible representation for its members, said United States Attorney Matthew Schneider. Todays discussion was productive and both the U.S. Attorney and I have the same goal for the UAW International Union.

DETROIT A federal prosecutor and the United Auto Workers president are looking at using an independent monitor to make sure that a wide-ranging union corruption scandal never happens again. The monitor was one option discussed during a two-hour meeting Tuesday between UAW President Rory Gamble and Matthew Schneider, the U.S. Attorney in Detroit, according to a joint statement. Ten union officials have pleaded guilty in the scandal, with some spending thousands in union money for golf, lodging and fancy meals. An independent monitor would give union members the assurance of reforms so as to reduce the possibility of a recurrence of corruption, the statement said. Among the union officials to plead guilty is former President Gary Jones, who was accused of conspiring with UAW cronies to embezzle more than $1 million.

DETROIT The United Automobile Workers is preparing for an important negotiation. US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Matthew Schneider, has agreed to talk with UAW President Rory Gamble about changes that can be made pertaining to corruption. In a joint statement released Monday Schneider said, "I look forward to working with president Gamble to achieve what I hope will be a joint effort to resolve some of the serious issues. One of the concerns is the disposition of a cabin at the UAWs Black Lake property built for former president Dennis Williams. RELATED: Ex-UAW President Gary Jones pleads guilty in corruption case

FILE - In this March 11, 2019 file photo, Gary Jones, president of the United Auto Workers union addresses delegates to the union's bargaining convention in Detroit. An expected guilty plea to corruption charges by former United Auto Workers President Gary Jones has been delayed due to the coronavirus and traveling concerns. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)DETROIT The head of the United Auto Workers will meet this month with the U.S. attorney in Detroit to discuss potential changes for the union following a wide-ranging corruption probe. Ten union officials and a late officials spouse have pleaded guilty since 2017, including former President Gary Jones. In a joint statement Monday, the union and Schneider said current UAW President Rory Gamble will meet with Schneider June 30 in Detroit to start negotiations on changes for the union.

DETROIT – The United Auto Workers (UAW) union leadership announced Tuesday they are endorsing Democratic candidate Joe Biden for President of the United States. “In a changing economic environment, we need steady leadership and planning to make sure the jobs of the future are good-paying union jobs with benefits,” said Gamble. “And UAW members need to know they have a voice in those changes.”Gamble added that it is important to have leadership that, at all times, considers the needs of working men and women in making policy choices, and judicial appointments. “UAW members ultimately want a voice. And Joe Biden is committed to giving UAW members that voice at the table.”Related:

Another United Auto Workers leader is expected to plead guilty in court today as part of a federal probe into alleged corruption within the union. Joe Ashton, the retired UAW-GM vice president, is believed to have crafted a scheme with two associates, Jeffrey Pietrzyk and Michael Grimes, involving kickbacks and rigged bids totaling millions of dollars. READ MORE: Retired UAW Vice President Joe Ashton charged in bribery, kickback scandalUAW Interim President Rory Gamble wants to change the union’s direction entirely with the increased exposure of more alleged corruption. “It is shocking and very disheartening at the same time,” Gamble said. Pietrzyk, who served on union’s Center for Human Resources board with Ashton, and Grimes, Ashton’s administrative assistant have already pleaded gui;ty and are waiting to be sentenced.

DETROIT – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles confirms that the company and the United Auto Workers have reached a proposed tentative agreement on a new four-year contract. UPDATE: UAW members ratify contract with Fiat Chrysler“Our UAW Bargaining Committee worked diligently, over many months, during the General Motors strike and Ford negotiations to maintain productive negotiations with FCA,” said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, director of the UAW-FCA Department. “During the previous four-year agreement, FCA added over 6,400 new UAW members.”The UAW-FCA National Council will meet on Dec. 4 to go over details of the proposed tentative agreement. If adopted as a tentative agreement, it will go to all FCA hourly and salary members for a ratification vote that will begin on Dec. 6. Related: UAW-FCA national contract almost complete

DETROIT Members of the United Automobile Workers union approved the tentative contract with Ford on Friday. According to the union, 56.3 percent of members voted in favor of the agreement. Ford workers will get $9,000 each, but Ford will close a factory in the deal, a person briefed on the pact said earlier this month. Every Ford employee and temporary employee will be at the top-rate for full-time status at the end of this four-year agreement, said Acting UAW President Rory Gamble, who is Director of the UAW Ford Department. This is a life changing contract for many and provides a template for all future Ford UAW members to a full-time, top-rate status.

DEARBORN, Mich. The United Auto Workers union approved its tentative contract with Ford on Friday. Ford workers will get $9,000 each, but Ford will close a factory in the deal, a person briefed on the pact said earlier this month. Every Ford employee and temporary employee will be at the top-rate for full-time status at the end of this four-year agreement, said Acting UAW President Rory Gamble, who is Director of the UAW Ford Department. This is a life changing contract for many and provides a template for all future Ford UAW members to a full-time, top-rate status. This contract reflects the hard work, sacrifice and quality work of UAW members as they lead the U.S. auto industry.

DETROIT – The United Auto Workers union is launching what it calls “widespread ethics reforms” amid a federal investigation into fraud and misuse of funds. Here’s the list of reforms announced Wednesday:The establishment of an Ethics Ombudsman to receive, review and respond to ethics complaints and allegations. The banning of all charitable contributions from UAW joint program centers, vendors, or employers to any charities run or controlled by UAW officials. Finally, UAW will set up an Ethics Hotline to encourage those who may have concerns about or want to report potential ethics violations. DETROIT, MI - JULY 16: United Auto Workers President Gary Jones speaks at the opening of open the 2019 GM-UAW contract talks where the traditional ceremonial handshake takes place on July 16, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan.

The United Auto Workers union will tighten financial controls, ban contributions from employers and vendors to charities run by its officers, and hire an ethics officer in the wake of a federal corruption investigation. Hes accused of taking thousands of dollars in kickbacks from a contractor who made watches for union members. Federal agents have also searched the Detroit-area home of current union President Gary Jones, and the Corona, California, home of former president Dennis Williams. The ethics officer would be an external position and would not work for the international union. The measures also would ban all contributions from training centers run jointly with the companies to charities run by union officials.

DETROIT As the United Automobile Workers deal with an embezzlement scandal sending more officers to prison and negotiate national contracts, Rory Gamble has taken over as the new president. Local 4 Business Editor Rod Meloni got an exclusive first interview with Gamble to hear what he had to say about the problems facing the union and his plans to solve them. In July, Gamble walked into the UAW Ford handshake ceremony next to then-president Jones as the UAW Ford vice president. On Tuesday, he separated Jones from the 10 UAW leaders who have been sent to prison because Jones hasnt been charged. Gamble told Local 4 he took the presidents job under a condition that the UAW board allow him to make the necessary tough accounting and financial control changes he deems necessary.

DETROIT United Auto Workers-Ford Vice President Rory Gamble has been selected as acting UAW national president Saturday, and on Monday he begins talks with Fiat-Chrysler. This comes after former union president Gary Jones Canton home was raided by the FBI in August, which was followed by embezzlement charges against St. Louis Region 5 Director Vance Pearson and Edward Nick Robinson, both close associates of Jones. READ MORE: UAW official Edward Nick Robinson charged in labor conspiracyGamble, who has been politically active with the union for 38 years, was elected UAW-Ford president in 2018 and has since been involved in the negotiations of hundreds of union contracts. National negotiations with Fiat-Chrysler is no small feat, said Center for Automotive Research analyst Kristin Dziczek. WATCH BELOW: Aerial video of FBI agents raiding Canton home of UAW President Gary Jones

DETROIT – United Auto Workers President Gary Jones asked for a leave of absence Saturday during an emergency meeting held by the United Auto Workers International Board. READ: UAW President Gary Jones announces leave of absence, Rory Gamble to serve as interim presidentIt’s a major shakeup for the UAW as negotiations are set to begin Monday with Fiat Chrysler. He is being replaced by UAW vice president Rory Gamble. "The next thing for the UAW to do is set aside this Gary Jones incident.”That plan is already in motion. "That’s what they get with Rory Gamble.”The board voted Gamble as the interim UAW president.

Fallout as UAW president steps aside amid scandalPublished: November 2, 2019, 11:13 pmGary Jones is taking a leave of absence as president of the UAW over an embezzlement scandal. Rory Gamble will take over as president.

The board voted Rory Gamble as the interim UAW president effective Monday. He was elected a vice president of the UAW in June 2018, at the union’s 37th Constitutional Convention in Detroit, according to the UAW. Rory Gamble. Vice President Rory Gamble, who recently negotiated the Ford agreement, will serve as acting president and assume full responsibility for the president’s office. I spoke this morning with President Rory to congratulate him on behalf of the legacy of my father.

DETROIT, MI The United Auto Workers announced Saturday that President Gary Jones is taking a paid leave of absence amid a federal investigation of corruption within the union. The UAW said Jones requested the leave, which is effective Sunday. UAW Vice President Rory Gamble will serve as acting president. Union members are scheduled to begin voting Monday on a proposed contract with Ford Motor Co., which Gamble helped negotiate. Ten people have been convicted so far, including union leaders and auto company officials.

DETROIT UAW National Negotiators have voted to send a proposed tentative agreement to the National UAW-Ford Council, according to a news release. Our national negotiators elected by their local unions have voted unanimously to recommend to the UAW-Ford National Council the proposed tentative agreement, said UAW Vice President Rory Gamble. Vice President Gamble, his staff and the Ford negotiating team have worked tirelessly to reach an agreement that preserves job security and rewards UAW Ford members for their quality work, said UAW President Gary Jones. These were long and hard hours, but I feel confident they were able to secure a contract that protects our members future.If adopted as a tentative agreement, it will go to all Ford hourly and salary members for a ratification vote. Vice President of Labor Affairs for Ford Motor Co., Bill Dirksen, released the following statement:Ford can confirm the UAWs announcement that the UAW and Ford have reached a proposed tentative agreement on a four-year contract.

Many UAW members are back to work for the first time in more than 40 days after ratifying a deal with General Motors Friday. Next, the UAW will open contract talks with Ford, reported to begin as early as this morning. UAW President Gary Jones announced Friday that the union with now proceed with pattern bargaining at Ford. "Now that the General Motors strike has ended and the agreement has been ratified, we will proceed to Ford, working with UAW Vice President Rory Gamble, Director of the UAW Ford Department and their staff," Jones said. "We can confirm the UAW today notified Ford it plans to negotiate with us next," a Ford spokesperson said.

Many UAW members are back to work for the first time in more than 40 days after ratifying a deal with General Motors Friday. Next, the UAW will open contract talks with Ford, reported to begin as early as this morning. UAW President Gary Jones announced Friday that the union with now proceed with pattern bargaining at Ford. "Now that the General Motors strike has ended and the agreement has been ratified, we will proceed to Ford, working with UAW Vice President Rory Gamble, Director of the UAW Ford Department and their staff," Jones said. "We can confirm the UAW today notified Ford it plans to negotiate with us next," a Ford spokesperson said.