USW union prez to retire at Portsmouth

Herman Potter, president of United Steelworkers Local 689 at the Department of Energy’s Portsmouth Site in Ohio, is retiring from both his job with the government’s landlord contractor and his leadership post with the union.

“I plan to retire from North Wind Dynamics” on Feb. 2, Potter said in a Jan. 2 letter distributed to United Steelworkers (USW) local members, Portsmouth managers and Exchange Monitor. “The decision is difficult for me because I will also be resigning as president of USW Local 689”

“I have dedicated more than 30-plus years to this local and this union,” Potter said. “Stepping away at this time will allow me to reduce my workload and also give others in our local opportunities to move into leadership positions.”

Under the union’s procedures, Potter will be replaced as Local 689 president by the vice president, Evan Brown, another longtime union hand.

In a Wednesday phone conversation with Exchange Monitor, Potter said he might do part-time assignments for the union and will remain as a member of the DOE Environmental Management advisory board for the Portsmouth Site. Potter and the union have also worked closely with other local organizations such as the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative.

During roughly 36 years with North Wind, the roads and grounds contractor at Portsmouth, Potter has worked in jobs including lab technician and production process operator, he said. During his time with USW Local 689, Potter has served as a safety representative, vice president and president.

In addition to thanking local USW members and staff, Potter also thanked DOE and its contractors for working through worksite issues and plans for re-industrialization of the former gaseous diffusion plant complex. “Even though there have been differences of opinion, I do not feel it was personal.”