A large local of the International Association of Machinists’ union has been plagued by infighting amongst its leaders.
BATH, ME—The International Association of Machinists’ local union representing 3,500 workers at General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works is plagued with infighting amongst its leadership.
In February, all 10 members of the IAM’s Local S6 executive board signed a letter to the their parent union “asking for help to assure rank-and-file shipbuilders that local leaders are running the chapter according to its rules,” reported the Bangor Daily News.
Shortly after the arrival of a representative from the international, the Local’s president, Michael Keenan, filed official charges with the international union, accusing two fellow union officers of misconduct.
In his letters, Keenan charged secretary/treasurer Jason Perry and Chief Steward Raymond Gauthier of incompetence, negligence and insubordination.
“Keenan’s accusations against Perry range from failing to collect or file various tax forms to closing the office early to refusing to turn over documents to the union president,” according to CentralMaine.com.
Meanwhile, Gauthier is accused of not showing up for mandatory meetings, refusing to comply with directives and failing to properly review and account for lost time reimbursements for union representatives under his supervision.
Then, on Saturday, the local membership held a vote of ‘no confidence’ against Keenan.
Members of the largest union at Bath Iron Works on Saturday passed a vote of no confidence in their president and withdrew charges alleging misconduct against the local chief steward.
But Mike Keenan, president of Local S6 of the machinists union, who on Thursday filed charges against chief steward Raymond Gauthier and secretary and treasurer Jason Perry, said Monday that he would appeal the dismissal of the charges. He said the charges were dropped due to “a technicality,” and called the no-confidence vote “diversion tactics.”
“Sadly, cliques, bullying and representatives that think that they’re entitled are just not things I tolerate,” Keenan said in a written statement. “I was placed back into this position to clean up the local lodge and prepare for upcoming negotiations and that is exactly what I will continue to do. It has not been a popular initiative and has faced quite the resistance. This house must be in order if we are to succeed with taking on the company for negotiations in 2020.”
The union’s supervisor, who was sent to the local to help untangle the local’s infighting and to make recommendations, had no comment on Monday.
