Ex-UPW agent
sues over firingThe Rodrigues supporter alleges
that his termination
was without just cause
A longtime supporter of convicted United Public Workers leader Gary Rodrigues alleges he was fired from the union earlier this year to eliminate him from running for state director in the October 2003 convention.
Dwight Takeno, a former UPW business agent, interim director and director of research and legislation, filed suit Friday in U.S. District Court against the United Public Workers; its mainland parent, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and the union's current administrator, Peter Trask.
Takeno alleges that his wrongful termination was part of the defendants' scheme to "suppress dissent" within the UPW and pave the way for Trask to become state director. He claims his termination was without just cause and violated the union's constitution and UPW personnel policies.
Trask did not return calls for comment. AFSCME officials could not be reached for comment.
AFSCME appointed Trask, former legal counsel to the UPW, on Dec. 3 to serve as UPW administrator after seizing control of the 12,000-member union. On Jan. 14, Trask notified Takeno by letter that his services were no longer needed by the UPW, the suit said.
Because of his termination, Takeno is no longer a union member in good standing, a requirement for holding office.
Rodrigues, state director since 1981, was convicted in U.S. District Court on Nov. 19 of multiple counts of federal money laundering and fraud along with his daughter. He awaits sentencing.
The UPW's executive board had appointed Takeno state director on Nov. 22 during a meeting in which Rodrigues resigned from his post. (The UPW's mainland parent had suspended Rodrigues the day before because of his conviction.) The board also agreed to support Takeno's appointment at the upcoming convention.
The appointment was criticized by UPW members who said Rodrigues had exerted influence on Takeno's selection and that the board's action was invalid because UPW President George Yasumoto had canceled the meeting. That same day, Yasumoto had appointed executive assistant Dayton Nakanelua as state director.
When Trask came on board, Takeno was returned to his previous position of director of research and legislation.
In the lawsuit, Takeno alleged he was retaliated against for speaking out against AFSCME's decision to place the union under trusteeship and suspend the 34-member executive board.