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Following its victory in the renewal of the collective bargaining agreement for the Big Three auto manufacturers, the UAW resolved to embark upon a vast campaign of unionisation at foreign manufacturers established in the southern United States, an area practically devoid of trade unionism. This offensive has so far brought a victory at Volkswagen followed by a defeat at Mercedes-Benz. The issue of the unionisation of the South is of vital importance to the auto industry union. Nevertheless, the current investigation led by the independent federal monitor appointed following the proven corruption of some of its most senior executives may have damaging consequences for the union and its new president, Shawn Fain.