CSEA President May Seek To Run AFSCME

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees International President Gerald McEntee has announced he will seek another four-year term in 2008, but he may face a challenge from Civil Service Employees' Association President Danny Donohue.

DANNY DONOHUE: Ready to rumble?

Mr. McEntee had been widely expected to step down after 27 years heading the nation's largest union of public employees, but sources said internal union politics and the long-time president's heavy involvement in Democratic Party politics motivated him to seek to stay in office at least through the 2008 election cycle.

Donohue: Options Open

A spokesman for Mr. Donohue did not rule out a run for the international presidency. "Mr. Donohue is running for re-election as CSEA President and, at this time, his priorities are on the home front," said Stanley Hornak. "While his options are always open, his commitment is to do what is best for CSEA."

Mr. Donohue's term expires next March. The international election will take place in August 2008. Sources say it came to Mr. McEntee's attention that Mr. Donohue, president of AFSCME's largest affiliate, was putting out feelers at AFSCME's legislative convention last month.

GERALD McENTEE: Seeking another term.

Starting Early

CSEA Executive Vice President Mary Sullivan, who is an AFSCME international vice president, said that currently she is not supporting Mr. McEntee for re-election. "My president is considering a run, and that's where my loyalties lie," she said in a July 13 phone interview. She said Mr. McEntee had called her a couple of weeks ago and informed her he was running, but did not ask for her support.

Mr. McEntee made a round of calls following the June conference soliciting support from local and regional AFSCME leaders the following week, and put out a letter with 66 officials listed announcing his intention to run under the headline: McEntee 2008 Solidarity Team, United for Progress. Union officials said Mr. McEntee, who has run unopposed since 1981, has never issued a campaign letter this far in advance of a union election.

Mr. McEntee did not return phone calls seeking comment. His campaign letter outlines the union's achievements in the legislative arena and its goals for member mobilization and growth. It ends with the line, "I am ready to lead for another four years."

Mr. McEntee lists 26 of the International's 32 vice presidents as supporters. The three vice presidents who are also CSEA officials, including Mr. Donohue, are not on the endorsement list.

AFSCME VP and National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (NUHHCE) President Henry Nicholas was also not listed and said that he had not been informed that Mr. McEntee was running. He declined to say whether he would support the current president. He said that his union's secretary-treasurer, Kathy Sackman, who is also not listed, would likely follow his lead.

California Steaming

The other VP not listed, President Alice Goff of District Council 36, who represents 20,000 members in Los Angeles, did not return calls. Sources said some California locals had been frustrated with what they perceived as AFSCME's lack of responsiveness in fighting privatization attempts and competition with the Teamsters union. Ms. Sackman is also president of the NUHHCE-affiliated United Nurses Associations of California.

The presidents of District Council 37's five largest locals, its executive director Lillian Roberts and DC 1707 Executive Director Raglan George Jr. are all listed as supporting Mr. McEntee. DC 37's executive board also voted last week to endorse Mr. McEntee.

In order to win election, a candidate would need the support of affiliates representing about 700,000 members. CSEA represents about 265,000 members. Although DC 37's executive board unanimously endorsed Mr. McEntee, he is not guaranteed all of its 120,000 votes, since some locals are not represented on the board.