Ahead of Fain’s election in March, a transition memo first reported by the Detroit Free Press detailed plans to “purge” some union employees from the past administration, noting that “if staff stay, then they are staying on our terms.” Fain, who campaigned as a reformer, has said he wants to build more of a “fighting organization” that focuses on grassroots outreach and takes a more aggressive tone with the Detroit 3 and other companies that employ UAW members.
Nassar had significant experience in his role, which included responsibility for implementing the union’s policy agenda and designing its legislative strategy on topics ranging from trade to immigration.
During the Trump administration, he voiced the union’s support for changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement but lobbied for worker protections in the deal that effectively replaced it. Nassar also argued for a measured use of tariffs as the administration considered implementing a 25 percent duty on all vehicle and auto parts imports.
Last year, he testified to Congress about the need for policies that promote domestic manufacturing and the creation of union jobs in the transition to EVs.
Nassar previously served as the assistant legislative director for the Service Employees International Union.
Le also has experience with the Service Employees International Union, having served in communications positions and in a number of organizing and advising roles.
Under Fain, the union has taken issue with the Detroit 3’s investment in EVs and battery plants, arguing for a “just transition” that pays workers the same as, if not more than, they make assembling gasoline vehicles.
