Toussaint Rival Wants Details on Quick Sale Of TWU Headquarters

A likely Transport Workers Union Local 100 presidential candidate formally demanded June 2 that the union disclose accounting information regarding its 2006-7 LM2 reports filed with the U.S. Labor Department after learning that the union's headquarters was resold for a 50-percent profit.

JOHN SAMUELSEN: Toussaint sold unwisely.

In a letter to Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Ed Watt, Track Inspector John Samuelsen said that as a rank-and-file union member he had the right to obtain these records under Federal labor law.

Made $31M in 2-Year Turn

The new owner of the union's Upper West Side headquarters, 80 WEA Owner LLC, bought the building in April for $91.4 million from 80 West End Partners LLC and R and R Assets LLC. Local 100 President Roger Toussaint sold the property at the corner of West End Ave. and West 64th St. two years ago for $60 million.

"Given the enormous sums involved, and the fact that the building sold for an alleged profit of more than 50 percent in such a short period of time, a reasonable union member would clearly have just cause for further inquiry into the original transaction," Mr. Samuelsen said. "I request access to the local's books and records to verify [whether there are any] financial irregularities."

He added, "It is important to note that the [union's] building committee unanimously advised against selling the building, but President Toussaint ignored this recommendation and cast the tie-breaking vote at the executive board authorizing the sale."

Source of Shattered Alliance

Mr. Samuelsen had urged Mr. Toussaint to table discussions on the sale of Local 100's headquarters until after a new wage contract was negotiated in 2005. The resulting dissension put the long-time Toussaint loyalist out of the administration's favor.

Spokesmen for Mr. Toussaint did not comment on the request for information.

Mr. Samuelsen also said that should the union not disclose the information he has asked for he would seek it through a Federal court proceeding.