The United Auto Workers added almost 5,000 members last year amid successful organizing efforts, including at Volkswagen AG's plant in Tennessee.

The Detroit-based union's membership stood at 375,161 at the end of 2024, a 1.3% increase from its total ranks a year prior, a U.S. Department of Labor filing shows.

The member growth, albeit small, is positive news for a union that in 2023 had shed almost 13,000 workers — falling to its lowest level since the Great Recession.

As recently as 2017 the UAW had more than 430,000 members. Its low-water mark in recent years was 2009, when it recorded 355,191 members. A union spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Monday evening.

The union went on an organizing tear last year and notably succeeded in winning a labor election at the VW plant in Chattanooga, adding about 4,300 employees at the plant. Those new members are in negotiations for their first contract.

The VW win was part of a $40 million campaign to organize auto and electric vehicle battery plants through 2026, but the effort slowed after the UAW lost an election at a Mercedes-Benz Group AG plant in Alabama. It is moving forward with organizing major new battery plants, however, such as one in Kentucky that is headed toward holding an election.

The union reported net assets of about $1.2 billion at the end of 2024, up slightly from the end of 2023. Its total liabilities stood around $6.7 million, up from $3.8 million. Cash levels stood at about $7.9 million, down from $17 million a year prior.

President Shawn Fain made $274,407 in total compensation last year, up 20% from 2023. That included $229,514 in base salary, up from $198,526 the prior year.

Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock received $247,169, including 224,861 in salary. The union paid its three vice presidents as follows: Mike Booth, $235,968, including $211,001 salary; Rich Boyer $226,625, including $211,001 salary; and Chuck Browning $234,776, including $211,001 salary. Kevin Gotinsky, a top administrative assistant who oversees the union's Stellantis department after Boyer was removed from that role last year, made $198,956, including $177,942 salary.

The impacts of a years-long corruption scandal also were reflected in the union's expenses. The UAW agreed in a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department to institute a monitor for six years. Led by New York attorney Neil Barofsky, his employer, Jenner & Block LLP, received more than $5.8 million, up slightly from 2023.

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