News Release

For immediate release

Contact: Peter Wray at 614-906-1049 or Sally Mecking at 614-865-2602

Douglas returns as union director

April 29, 2006 - COLUMBUS - Union officials today announced that Andy Douglas, the former Ohio Supreme Court justice-turned-labor leader would, in fact, be staying as the executive director of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association. Douglas had resigned the position April 26 after two years on the job in order to pursue other personal and political interests, but was convinced to reverse his decision after talking to union leaders and activists.

OCSEA's Board of Directors formally acted today to reject Douglas's resignation and reinstitute him, effective immediately.

"We are pleased to have Judge Douglas continuing with us," said union president Ronald C. Alexander. "OCSEA still has many organizational and political challenges and we need to keep our team together."

"I received an enormous number of touching messages from OCSEA members at all levels asking me to shelve some of the other opportunities I had in mind and stick with the union. I am especially grateful for the overwhelming vote of support of our Board of Directors. I am usually firm in my decisions, but this really caused me to have a change of heart," said Douglas.

Some press reports speculated that his resignation was triggered by internal disagreements. "Anyone who has been involved with helping run a union will tell you that there are always disputes of one kind or another. This is simply part of our internal democratic process, and OCSEA's ability to reach a consensus has been and will continue to be strong," said Douglas.

Alexander said the implementation of the new contract for state employees continues to be a priority. "We have, for example, new wage, health care, and employee training programs to oversee. In addition, we have many policy and legislative issues to discuss with the General Assembly plus elections this fall. We have a full plate and we need all the experience we can get," said Alexander of Douglas's return.

OCSEA is an affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and represents a variety of security, direct care, skilled trades, regulatory, administrative, clerical, scientific and technical public workers throughout Ohio.

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