Internal charges are filed against Globe union head

By Robert Gavin, Globe Staff

Formal internal charges were filed today against the president of The Boston Globe's largest union, accusing him of misappropriating money or property, violating the union constitution, and disobeying orders.

The charges against Boston Newspaper Guild President Daniel Totten were filed by the union treasurer, Patrice Sneyd. Totten is accused of recently signing the name of another union officer to his paycheck, which required a countersignature, according to members with knowledge of the matter. Totten could not immediately be reached for comment, but he has denied any financial impropriety.

The charges will be presented tomorrow night to the union's governing board, which includes top officers and delegates elected from departments represented by the Guild; they will determine whether the charges conform to the constitution. If the board makes that determination, then it will begin a process that could include a trial, heard by a jury of seven selected by lottery from the general membership.

Totten, the Guild president since 2005, recently took a medical leave. Scott Steeves, the union vice president, is serving as acting president. The Guild represents more than 600 editorial, advertising, and business office workers.

Totten has come under criticism for his handling of recent negotiations with The New York Times Co., which owns the Globe, and for what some members see as his 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.