Globe union head faces accusations about check

By Robert Gavin, Globe Staff

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 another officer's name on a check. But in an email to members today, Totten said the controversy centered on the countersignature on his own pay check. 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.

Totten also denied any financial impropriety.

"All union funds remain intact and have always been so," he wrote. "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."

Yesterday, the union's executive committee said it is drafting specific charges against Totten, who will have the opportunity to answer them before or during a union trial, conducted according to the constitution of the Communications Workers of America, the Newspaper Guild's parent union.

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 the 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.