Local Robins union taken over by national group

The national American Federation of Government Employees has taken over the Robins Air Force Base chapter.

Local union officers were booted out of the union hall Monday. A memorandum obtained by The Telegraph states that the Local 987 is being put in trusteeship.

AFGE national President David Cox signed the memorandum. He said he was taking the action based on the recommendation of national Vice President Everett Kelley.

“I have imposed trusteeship on the Local to safeguard and protect the Local, by taking immediate charge of all equities and properties, tangible and intangible, acquired and/or possessed by the Local, and to otherwise carry out the legitimate duties and objectives of the local,” the memorandum stated.

It said the action is being taken due to ongoing issues among the local leadership and specifically cited two recent incidents in which police were called to the union hall.

One involved a dispute over financial records being taken from the building by the national union for an audit. The other, which the memorandum stated was connected to the audit incident, involved an allegation of one union officer assaulting another.

The memorandum also stated that membership of the local has declined by 800 in the three years since the current leadership team was elected.

The Telegraph went to the union hall about noon Monday and was promptly ordered out by a man wearing a shirt with an AFGE logo.

“You need to leave,” he said.

The memorandum is dated Aug. 12, which was Friday, and states that the stewardship was effective Aug. 11. But it was Monday that the national union showed up at the union hall and ordered everyone out, according to a source.

Kelley did not return a phone call seeking comment. Tidwell’s cellphone stated that the voicemail box was full.

Some union officers held a meeting Monday night, and afterward David Tucker, a steward, read a prepared statement.

“It’s obvious we are at odds with our national leadership,” Tucker said. “We are currently reviewing the issues and we hope to have them resolved as quickly as possible. Make no mistake, we are still union members, we are still stewards, we are still here for our bargaining members.”

He went on to say that three years ago the base was losing jobs.

“We have worked tirelessly to promote growth and job opportunities for those in our community, and we have fought to provide career opportunities for our membership,” he said.

He declined to answer any further questions, but he did respond “No” when asked if the local union had done anything wrong.

Rob Brooks, chairman of the 21st Century Partnership board, said in an email that the issues with the union are troubling.

“We are deeply concerned with the actions of the national AFGE leadership, and of Mr. Everett Kelly in particular,” Brooks said. “This is not simply an internal matter to the union, but rather an issue of great interest to the entire Middle Georgia community.”

He said the local AFGE leadership has “worked diligently” with Robins leadership to improve production and set records in efficiency while protecting the workforce.

“We fully expect transparency from the national AFGE leadership on this issue, are hopeful it can be resolved quickly, and that local leadership can resume their efforts with our outstanding, professional work force at RAFB,” he said.

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Local Robins union taken over by national group."