A new leader for a big Suffolk union

Daily Point

Suffolk union ousts its leaders in slate sweep

The leadership of Suffolk AME, the union representing more than 6,000 active and more than 4,000 retired Suffolk County workers, has reportedly been voted out. Final results of the organization’s election showed Terry Maccarrone with 1,424 votes for president to incumbent Daniel C. Levler's 653 and another candidate, Brian Viggiano, with 74.

Others on Maccarrone’s slate of candidates — for executive vice-president, four vice-presidential slots, and treasurer — also won by similarly lopsided margins. Calls from The Point to the union on Thursday for comment were not returned, but one source said they expect results to be publicly announced Friday. The vote ended Tuesday.

Levler has been on the executive board since 2015 and president since 2017. Allies of Maccarrone posted congratulations on social media.

The impact on future relations and negotiations between the union, traditionally titled the Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees, and GOP County Executive Edward P. Romaine’s administration wasn’t immediately clear.

One political insider expressed hope to The Point that "the new guys will build new bridges, and will negotiate much better." A former county official gave Levler credit for "elevating [the union’s role] through the work he did, but with that comes greater awareness, scrutiny and competition for leadership roles."

The union has been in the news lately with regard to its representation of Suffolk Child Protective Services caseworkers given the county’s plan to activate its "child fatality review team." Facing what already promised to be a difficult election, Levler put out a statement that said "AME will fight vehemently against any process that is focused on a rush to judgment of our caseworkers or does not allow for due process." He added that "this Union will continue to work hard every day to protect our members. We will not allow our members to be scapegoats for systemic failures."

Levler serves on the statewide Public Employee Conference executive board, which features him on its website stating that under Levler and his board, the AME "not only has a seat at every table, but we are looked upon as independent leaders among lawmakers, community leaders, and other union officials."

Maccarrone pointedly posted a statement when he filed to run for president in January: "We are running to restore Integrity, Transparency and Responsiveness back to Union Leadership. For far too long, the existing Board [has] ignored the Members and bullied those who oppose them. It must stop."

— Dan Janison dan.janison@newsday.com

Pencil Point

Zeldin's EPA

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Great Eggs-pectations Point

On Sunday aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump claimed that "eggs are down," and the same was echoed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt during her briefing on Monday when she stated that "wholesale egg prices continue to fall."

The weekly report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture does show that wholesale egg prices have been on the decline — a victory the administration will gladly accept. Nationally, most consumer prices haven’t benefited from this yet but as bird flu outbreaks decrease and the egg supply improves, it seems it should only be a matter of time before Americans can feel the relief.

However, that might not come quickly. The upcoming holidays bring increased demand for eggs and many stores are still limiting the amount that can be purchased, factors that will play into the prices consumers will see on the shelves.

Here at home, this week 12 large white eggs are $6.99 a carton at the supermarket we have been monitoring. Last week, the price was $7.99 at the same supermarket. That was a $1.00 decrease.

— Christine Wallen christine.wallen@newsday.com

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