WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) -- Union workers at R.I. Airport Corp. have unanimously voted "no confidence" in president and CEO Iftikhar Ahmad, accusing him of acting in bad faith amid ongoing contract negotiations and staffing turmoil.
Multiple union groups, including Council 94, American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, along with AFL-CIO and Local 2873, announced the results of the vote Thursday.
The members accused Ahmed of poor leadership and blamed him for widespread turnover at the quasi-public agency that oversees Rhode Island airports, including its flagship Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick.
"Under CEO Ahmad’s tenure over sixty non-union employees were terminated or left RIAC, had over four different police chiefs, and the police department is running ten officers short in violation of a grievance settlement," Local 2873 President Steven Parent said in a statement. "CEO Ahmad’s hostile churn and burn management must cease."
RIAC spokesperson Bill Fischer shot back, calling the no-confidence vote "pure theater intended to generate leverage at the negotiating table and nothing more."
"We have been negotiating in good faith for many months," Fischer said. "It’s time that union leaders put forth a meaningful effort to finalize a contract. These PR stunts will not pressure RIAC to make poor decisions at the negotiating table. RIAC management remains focused on its mission and will not be distracted nor impacted by baseless and untrue accusations. RIAC’s union employees are compensated extremely well in both pay and benefits."
The no-confidence vote marks the latest development in a tumultuous time for the airport and its workforce. While the agency has returned to more stable operations and finances following the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport has been dealing with a host of internal issues that's pitted staff against leadership.
The airport in October accused Parent of "gross misconduct" and fired him as fire lieutenant, a move Parent said was done illegally. Airport leadership then accused him a month later of trespassing on airport grounds and taking property without authorization.
Earlier this week, head of security Joseph Perkins abruptly resigned and sent an alarming message to colleagues, accusing airport management of seeking “to eliminate the police department.”
"Unfortunately everything you suspect about RIAC management is true,” Perkins wrote in the message, claiming management wanted to get rid of the police department and “most of all the union.”
Perkins had only been on the job for a few months, but he told Target 12 he "quickly surmised that remaining employed at the airport under the current administrative leadership was not something I would do."
"Unlike most professions, law enforcement decisions and actions have serious consequences," he said. "Based on my experience as a law enforcement professional for over 35 years, I knew the correct way to handle the issues that concerned me -- report them to the highest-ranking police officer in the state, [R.I. State Police] Colonel Darnell Weaver."
Airport officials have denied the allegations that they are trying to eliminate the police department, saying the department is properly staffed and has been for 10 years. Parent highlighted Perkins' departure in his statement.
"The recent resignation of Public Safety Director Joseph M. Perkins, speaks to the hostile work environment created and condoned by CEO Iftikhar Ahmad," he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmed announced last year he was launching an internal investigation into anonymous letters sent to elected officials, news organizations and other community members that accused Ahmed of bad leadership and creating a toxic work atmosphere. In November, the airport sent out notices to employees ordering them to preserve potential evidence.
“It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but this investigation is required to ensure that individuals – regardless of their motivations -- will not impact our ability to fulfill our mission, provide Rhode Islanders with an abundance of direct routes, fulfill obligations to our airline partners and serve as a true economic engine for the State of Rhode Island,” said Brittany Morgan, senior vice president of legal affairs and human resources, at the time.
Michael McDonald, president of Council 94, echoed the sentiment outlined in the anonymous letters, accusing Ahmed of releasing confidential personnel records, terminating a union president and making "unfounded accusations against employees."
"While Local 2873 members will continue working so that Airport operations run smoothly, the union will increase communicating RIAC’s bad faith actions to the public, RIAC Board members, and political leaders," McDonald said in a statement. "Council 94 will continue to fight to ensure CEO Ahmad provides a fair contract, dignity, and respect to our members in all available forums."
Fischer said Rhode Islanders "should have every confidence" in RIAC leadership, pointing to metrics he said show the agency is "headed in the right direction."
"The airport is fiscally sound with strong management as indicated by various rating agencies," he said. "Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is coming off a record year with over four million passengers boosting Rhode Island’s tourism and economy. Additionally, we expect to announce new flights including international destinations next week."
Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.
Tim White contributed to this report