The president of the largest union at The Boston Globe signed the name of another union officer on a check that required a countersignature, according to union members with knowledge of the matter.
That charge against Boston Newspaper Guild president Daniel Totten first came to the attention of union officials last week, prompting the Guild’s executive committee to launch an audit of union finances and prepare internal charges against Totten, while canceling his credit card and suspending his check-signing authority.
Totten could not be reached to comment on the allegation that he signed the name of Guild vice president Scott Steeves on a check. Steeves would not comment.
In an e-mail to members yesterday, Totten said the controversy centered on the countersignature on his own paycheck. He described the issue as a “simple matter’’ that is being manipulated by political opponents unhappy with the outcome of recent negotiations over $10 million in concessions demanded by the Globe’s owner, The New York Times Co.
“There are those who are engaging in a political vendetta as a result of the hard feelings that remain in our Union following our contentious contract negotiation,’’ Totten said in the note.
The Guild is the Globe’s largest union, representing more than 600 editorial, advertising, and business office workers. Totten, who has served as president since 2005, has come under criticism for his handling of recent negotiations with the Times Co. and sporadic communications with members. A group of members recently launched a petition to recall Totten and other union leaders, and have gathered more than 200 signatures, according to organizers.
The signatures were gathered before the executive board launched its actions against Totten, organizers said. Yesterday, Totten denied any financial impropriety.
“All union funds remain intact and have always been so,’’ he said in his e-mail. “The Boston Newspaper Guild does an excellent job of managing the funds that we are entrusted with, a fact I am certain will be clear to all once the review process is completed.’’
Union treasurer Patrice Sneyd said in an e-mail to members yesterday that she planned to file formal charges against Totten early next week, and then notify members of the details. Under union bylaws, charges must be filed with its recording secretary within 60 days after an alleged offense becomes known, followed by a hearing before the union’s governing board.
The governing board comprises the seven-member executive committee and 20 delegates from various Globe departments represented by the Guild. Guild bylaws don’t specify the actions that could be taken by the governing board, but do require that any decision pertaining to the charges be approved by two-thirds of the board members present at the hearing. The bylaws allow individuals to appeal decisions made against them to the general membership, which can overrule the governing board with a two-thirds vote.
“As treasurer, I have fiduciary responsibility which I take very seriously,’’ Sneyd said in her e-mail. “I assure you that the executive committee is asserting due diligence on this matter. Once made aware of the situation, the appropriate steps were taken to insure the safety of your union funds.’’
Robert Gavin can be reached at rgavin@globe.com. 
