Is there any way a union can root out their leadership? I’ve never been in a union, and not familiar with the inner workings.
Think James Hoffa.
I was in HR all my life at my company's manufacturing plant that was UAW and the answer is no.
It starts at the shop level with the Stewards then the Committeemen then the Local President then over to Solidarity House and up. At the plant level it's local elections then to get to Solidarity House it becomes political and who you know.
Last year there was a major scandal with the UAW's top bargaining committee and Chrysler with a couple UAW members taking kickbacks from Chrysler and spending enormous amounts of money on junkets.
The UAW gal that was convicted used to work in the shop at my plant and only got to Solidarity because of who she knows.
She was never the brightest bulb in the box but yet not only got to Solidarity but became a member of their chief bargaining committee.........
There was a union leader in the coal miners back in the 60s that tried to run against the corrupt bosses, and the union crooks {W. A. tony Boyle} bought some hit men, had him and his wife and his daughter murdered. His sons were away at college.
Look up Jock Yablonski, miners union, 1969.