Michael McKay (labor leader)
Michael McKay is a convicted racketeer and former labor leader from the United States. He was president of American Maritime Officers (AMO) from 1993 until his conviction in 2007.
McKay, son of long-time AMO president Raymond McKay, joined the union as a Third Assistant Engineer in 1968. He worked his way up to Chief Engineer (Steam and Diesel), sailing aboard deep-sea tankers and containerships.
Subsequently, he served as a union representative, organizer and as a member of the AMO executive board. McKay served as the union's secretary-treasurer until his father's death in 1993, when he took over the presidency. He was elected by wide margins in 1993 and 1996.
In 2000, executive director of the AMO's benefit plans David Merriken (who had been the best man at McKay's wedding) told federal prosecutors that he had been involved in criminal activities at the union. During the six year investigation, he recorded over 200 tapes of discussions with other union leaders.
