Kevin McCaffrey, Suffolk legislator, wins back Teamsters local presidency in revote

Kevin McCaffrey won back the presidency of his Teamsters union local, regaining the $106,000 union post that he had lost in November following cuts to members’ pensions.

McCaffrey, minority leader of the Suffolk County Legislature, retook the position as head of Teamsters Local 707 in Nassau County by a vote of 525-455, according to ballots opened Wednesday. The election was rerun because ambulance company employees originally did not get their ballots.

Local president John Kelder, the president who had beaten McCaffrey by six votes in November, said he would challenge the revote.

“There were plenty of irregularities,” Kelder said. “We’re appealing the decision and we expect to persevere.”

McCaffrey called Kelder and his slate of candidates “desperate people.”

Steve Lucas, a retired trucker from West Babylon who had his pension cut, has criticized McCaffrey for working both the Teamster positions and legislative job.

McCaffrey, a Lindenhurst Republican, said he uses union vacation time when he attends legislative meetings.

“I’ve been balancing it for the last two years. I think I do a good job. The fact that I’m a legislator brings something to the table,” McCaffrey said.

By David M. Schwartz

dschwar1@newsday.comschwartznewsNY

David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.