Stancil McNair wins do-over Local 44 presidential election in Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Stancil McNair has won the AFSCME Local 44 presidential election again after a do-over election on Saturday.

This comes after a federal judge denied an attempt to stop the scheduled election on Dec. 6.

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

In August, McNair, a Department of Public Works employee, was elected president of Local 44. But, a protest was filed by then-Vice President of Local 44 Trevor Taylor, who was running against McNair for union president. 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 the 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 (TRO) 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.