Popular New Haven Union President Loses Close Election

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

NEW HAVEN, CT – The reigning union president of the city’s 370 management and professional employees was defeated Friday by 10 votes in a election at the Central Labor Council headquarters on Chapel Street in New Haven.

Cherlyn Poindexter who was seeking a fifth, two-year term leading Local 3144 was defeated by Malinda Figueroa an executive assistant in the Engineering Department who has worked for the city for nearly two decades.

Figueroa won by 159 to 149.

Poindexter is an administrative aide in the fire chief’s office.

The heated campaign pitted Figueroa’s position as a fighter for all union membership versus Poindexter being portrayed by opponents as someone who worked to protect union insiders.