On Nov. 18, the Connecticut Chapter of the Alliance of Retired Americans honored our own AFSCME retiree activists Joe and Bev Manes with the presentation of the Kevin Lynch Award at the group's 14th annual Awards Banquet.

This award recognizes Alliance members who have continued their activism in retirement, and have gone those extra steps to help the CT ARA fulfill its mission.

We can't think of a better pair of honorees than Joe and Bev, who continue to generously give us their time, energy and activist spirit. Both are former Council 4 union leaders: Joe served many years as President of AFSCME Local 1579 in Torrington; and Bev served as President of AFSCME Local 1303-392 in Litchfield. 

Joe currently serves as Vice President of the AFSCME Chapter 4 Retirees, while Bev is an Executive Board member. In addition, Joe and Bev are active partipants in the Council 4 PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality) Committee.

Congratulations as well to CT Attorney General William Tong, recipient of the 2019 Charlene Block Award for his advocacy on behalf of workers and retirees. 

The Alliance for Retired Americans is a nationwide grass roots organization, with more than 4.3 million members working together to make their voices heard in the laws, policies, politics, and institutions that shape American life.

ARA is chartered in 38 states. State alliances like Connecticut's are independent organizations that work to educate and mobilize retirees around local, state and national issues.

We work to strengthen Medicare, Social Security, and pensions and to improve the quality of life for current and future retirees.