Judge denies bid to halt Local 44 election, allowing re-do contest to proceed Saturday

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A federal judge denied an attempt to stop a scheduled election Saturday, teeing up a re-do contest to lead AFSCME Local 44.

Stancil McNair, a Department of Public Works employee, was elected president of Local 44 in August. However, a protest was filed by Trevor Taylor, then-Vice President of Local 44 who was running against McNair for president of the union. Taylor argued McNair was endorsed by Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming in a social media post. Cumming did not encourage union members to vote specifically for McNair in her post.

The Office of Inspector General is an independent agency within Baltimore City government and does not have the authority to hire and fire Local 44 members. After a union judicial panel reviewed the complaint, it ruled Cumming is an employer and ordered a new election.

McNair’s attorney, Thiru Vignarajah, sought a temporary restraining order in federal court to stop the Dec. 6 election from happening. However, Judge Adam Abelson ultimately denied the TRO, saying AFSCME has the authority to define employer for the purpose of their own constitution.



https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/judge-denies-bid-to-halt-local-44-election-allowing-re-do-contest-to-proceed-saturday