MACHINISTS UNION'S LOCAL PORNO BOSSES BARRED FROM OFFICE

The ongoing saga of the Machinists' union's battle at Bath Iron Works (in Maine) over its local officers' viewing of internet porn on union computers, as well as shoddy accounting has resulted in a four-year suspension for the local's president and a two-year suspension for the local's chief steward.

According to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network:

Two officers suspended from Bath Iron Works largest union have been barred from running for office in upcoming elections.

That's according to the Associated Press, which reports that the Local S6 President Michael Keenan has been barred from holding office for four years and chief steward Michael Cyr for two years.

The punishments were imposed by a three-member Machinists Union tribunal, which heard allegations and evidence against Keenen and Cyr as well as Vice President Troy Osgood and trustee Cathy London.

According to the AP, London was exonerated, but Osgood's punishment is "unclear." The tribunal was investigating allegations of shoddy accounting, viewing of pornography on union computers, and failure to deal with grievances in a timely manner.

The lawyer for the four, Leon Rosenblatt, told the Associated Press that the tribunal's decision was a "power grab" by the international union, which appointed its own trustee after the allegation surfaced.

With the internet porn charges, it would appear to be a "grab" of some sorts, doesn't it?

According to the SF Examiner, it appears the Machinists' mess in Maine will continue, as the accused are suing the union in court.

The four former officers — London, Osgood, Keenan and Cyr — contend they're the victim of a vendetta. They're suing for damages in state court.

Keenan said Monday that the tribunal's decision came as no surprise. "The only thing that shocks me is they didn't find a way to bar me for life," he said.

At this point, he's pinning hopes for clearing his name on the lawsuit. "I'll see them in a court of law if it's my last dying breath. I will not sit back and let anyone defame our membership, defame our leadership and defame our name and get away with it," he said.

Perhaps the foursome are victims of a vendetta. OR, perhaps, they let their fingers do the walking a bit too freely and, now, they're being overly self-righteous to save face to their friends. Who knows?

One thing we do know is that the Machinists' mayhem in Maine will be ongoing.