BATH — The man who led a successful fight against splitting Bath Iron Works’ biggest union from the Machinists Union has switched sides, calling on former adversaries to create an independent union.

Leaders of the twice-failed Bath Shipbuilders Independent Union said they will back Authur E. Batson Jr. and push for another breakaway vote before the next contract negotiations in August.

Batson, president of the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America for 11 years, is calling for an independent union at BIW as well as other shipyards nationwide.

Batson was ousted from his old union after a union trial board found him guilty of “incompetence, negligence and insubordination” in overseeing his 11,000-member union in October 1993.

Batson described the charges as “trumped-up lies” designed to silence his criticism of the Machinists Union after its 1989 merger with his union.

Former Local 6 President Ainsley McPhee, one of the leaders of failed attempts for an independent union in 1989 and 1991, said Batson would be a powerful ally if there were another attempt to split Local S6 of the Machinists union.

“It’s ironic that the same person who was attacking us needs our help,” McPhee said. “We always had to fight him.”

McPhee said he received a letter from Batson of Maryland last week, asking for support from shipyard workers. He said he contacted other members of the defeated independence movements.

Machinists representatives at Bath have said Batson is acting out of spite and should not be taken seriously. They defended the merger, saying it will ensure decent contracts, job security, union democracy, reasonable dues and labor solidarity.

Batson is calling for decertification or an annulment of the merger.

“Now is the time for all IUMSWA members to join the Committee for a Free IUMSWA before it is too late,” Batson wrote to Machinists’ locals nationwide. “Beware of gifts and temporary promises.”

Batson, who sent out packets urging “decertification” to more than 100 stewards and union officers at industries that include shipyards, said he has had a strong response from his IUMSWA membership, including several people at Bath.

He said he was hesitant to give names, but said “a movement is imminent.”