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Alexander wins AFSCME convention “Star” award for PERS activism

July 1, 2004 - AFSCME International paid tribute in Anaheim, CA. to some special members at this year’s 36th International Convention of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO.

OCSEA President Ron Alexander, together with Charlie Adkins and Barbara Thomas who are both from Ohio Council 8, won AFSCME Star of Excellence Awards for their work with the state employee pension system. The three trustees (pictured at right) of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System took a stand to protect workers' pensions and passed sweeping pro-worker investment policies.

Aggressive politicians recently eliminated the labor majority on the OPERS board.

However, over the past two years, current trustees have implemented policies requiring public employee and worker-friendly investment and business decisions. Specifically, real estate contractors are required to be neutral in organizing campaigns; to offer fair and competitive wages and benefits; and to be ethical employers.

Trustees also put a ban on investing in companies that privatize, and they implemented an aggressive corporate governance program to combat corporate corruption.

See Related

Photo Gallery from the convention

For more information, browse the Convention Daily newsletters below and related convention coverage on the AFSCME Web site

• Friday, June 25, 2004
• Thursday, June 24, 2004
• Wednesday, June 23, 2004
• Tuesday, June 22, 2004
• Monday, June 21, 2004