Frequently Asked Questions on the Administratorship

WHAT IS AN ADMINISTRATORSHIP?

An administratorship is a process established under Article IX of the International Constitution, under which the International President is authorized to appoint representatives to assume responsibility for the day-to-day affairs of an affiliate. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, all matters related to representation of you in your employment and the management of the local’s finances.

WHY WAS LOCAL 1549 PLACED UNDER ADMINISTRATORSHIP?

In the notice of the administratorship addressed to the local’s former officers, International President Lee Saunders stated the following reasons for imposing the administratorship at this time:

“In my opinion an emergency situation exists in Clerical- Administrative Employees, New York, New York Local 1549, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, in that dissipation or loss of the funds or assets of the local is threatened and the local is acting in violation of the International Constitution. Therefore, in accordance with Article IX, Section 37 of the International Constitution, I am placing AFSCME Local 1549 under administratorship, pending notice and hearing, effective immediately.”

WHO IS RUNNING LOCAL 1549?

President Saunders has appointed AFSCME International Union East Region Director James Howell to serve as Administrator of Local 1549. And to serve as Deputy Administrators he has appointed AFSCME District Council 37 Director of Field Operations Barbara Terrelonge and AFSCME Field Coordinators Benjamin Borges-Hernandez and Jozette Dowdell.

WHEN WILL THE ADMINISTRATORSHIP BE LIFTED?

The decision to terminate the administratorship rests solely with the International President and occurs after the concerns that led to the administratorship have been rectified.

DOES LOCAL 1549 STILL HAVE OFFICERS?

When an administratorship is imposed, the constitutional officers and executive board members are removed from their positions and no longer have authority to act on behalf of the Local.   

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY RIGHTS AS A MEMBER?

Your rights as a member remain unchanged. As specified in the AFSCME “Bill of Rights for Union Members,” your rights include but are not limited to:

• Members shall suffer no impairment of freedom of speech concerning the operations of this union.
• Members shall have the right to fair and democratic elections at all levels of the union.
• Members shall have the right to a full and clear accounting of all union funds at all levels.
• Members shall have the right to full participation, through discussion and vote, in the decision making processes of the union, and to pertinent information needed for the exercise of this right.

HOW DO I GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATORSHIP?

The success of this administratorship will rest in part on our ability to effectively communicate with each other. You will hear from the Administrator and Deputy Administrators regularly on the status of the administratorship. In fact, Administrator Howell sent a letter to all members informing them of the administratorship. That letter was emailed and is also being mailed. 

HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH THE UNION ABOUT A GRIEVANCE?

If a workplace issue arises at work you should call 212-815-1020.

WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH LOCAL1549?

Meeting the needs of all Local 1549 members is the Administratorship team’s top priority. We will implement protocols and procedures designed to:

• Protect your rights as members;
• Ensure there is fiscal accountability, responsibility and transparency;
• Improve the efficiency of the local’s operations, including your representation in the workplace.