'This Wasn't Planned': Rory Gamble Appointed UAW Prez

In a move that should surprise absolutely no one, former UAW Acting President Rory Gamble, who took over the top spot when scandal sunk former prez Gary Jones, has been appointed president of the union.

The ongoing federal corruption probe into the UAW hasn’t ended, but Jones’ presidency did after media outlets named him as one of the shadowy UAW officials mentioned in embezzlement-related court documents. First order of business for Gamble after taking over last month? Clean up the UAW’s act.

On Thursday, the UAW International Executive Board named Gamble, 64, as the union’s new leader — a post good until June 2022. At that point, a convention will determine a new president.

“This is an honor to complete my career and serve the members of this great union in this capacity,” said Gamble in a statement. “This wasn’t planned and it is a tall order. There are difficult decisions that will need to be made in the coming months for our members. But I promise one thing, when I retire and turn over this office, we will deliver a clean union on solid footing.”

Shortly after Jones’ resignation (he’s since withdrawn from the union altogether), Gamble unveiled a raft of new reforms aimed at eliminating the corruption that’s placed the UAW in danger of federal oversight. The list of measures is extensive one; read more here.

Gamble, who was elected VP and head of the UAW’s Ford department in 2018, spent 12 years as a regional director. The union’s executive board plans to fill the vice president position in January.

“Together, our members, local leaders and our Board have an opportunity to set the UAW on a course for generations,” said Gamble. “There are many opportunities through new technology; new jobs; new organizing drives and collective bargaining gains to lift up our families, our communities and the middle class. We are in this together as we work through these changes and challenges.”

[Images: UAW]