The union representing Bristol County Water Authority workers has accused the authority of improperly installing water pipes as part of its "war" against the water company, charges the authority denies.

The UWUA AFL-CIO recently declared "war" on the water company, after the authority changed its time clock procedures when employees are called into emergency service. Employees are now paid from when they begin work, not when they answer the phone calling them into work, which had the been previous practice.

In a letter dated July 16, 2014, national union representative Bobby Mahoney sent an information request to BCWA Executive Director Pamela Marchand. In it, Mr. Mahoney outlined three years’ worth of records he would like copies of; a copy of the BCWA organizational chart; and information connected with the new time clock system implemented by the BCWA.

Mr. Mahoney explained the basis of his request in an e-mail sent to Ms. Marchand, dated July 21.

“We intend to attack your administration for doing a poor job for our members and the citizens of Bristol County. We intend to do conduct (sic) a forensic audit and investigate your administration’s work practices to be clear on that subject.”

Related editorial: Union embarrasses itself in BCWA 'war'

Among the allegations in Mr. Mahoney’s e-mail, he refers to a comment in which Ms. Marchand called the prior administration the “Flintstones,” making reference to the cartoon "modern stone-age family" from the town of Bedrock.

“We think you and your administration should pay more attention to the job at hand. Such as making sure the contractors are putting in the pipes to the Authority’s specifications and covering the pipes with a foot of sand instead of rocks, which seem to be the case under your watch,” the e-mail stated.

Although Mr. Mahoney wasn’t clear on which job he was referring to, Ms. Marchand assumes that he was referring to the Poppasquash Road project.

“It does not require a foot of sand,” she said of the specifications.

The pipe was installed, she said, as required and to specification.

“We have a contracting engineer on site. We have pictures,” she said of the project’s progress. “It’s all in there.”

Mr. Mahoney could not be reached to answer questions regarding his allegations.