CSEA-endorsed candidate Yvonne Walker has officially won her election for the Retiree Seat on the CalPERS Board of Administration. With 56.9 percent of the vote secured in the runoff election, Walker heads to Sacramento as a pro-labor, pro-classified advocate.

“I am honored to have the trust, confidence and support of my fellow CalPERS retirees,” said Walker. “I am ready to get to work to ensure all CalPERS retirees receive the secure retirement benefits they earned for years of hard work serving the people of California. I look forward to working with my fellow board members so that CalPERS continues to lead in showing how defined benefit pension systems can thrive.”

Walker’s broad support is yet another example of rising public demand for electing more labor-friendly candidates to positions of oversight, like the CalPERS Board of Administration.

“The retiree seat is very important to the CalPERS Board of Administration. The holder of that seat is elected only by CalPERS retirees and must be a retiree,” said San Jose/Evergreen College Chapter 363 Chapter President Jose Luis Pacheco, who was elected to the CalPERS board last year.

“Having a board member elected directly by retirees ensures that your voices will be heard. This is especially true for CSEA retirees, since our retired members are some of the best organized constituencies on retirement security issues.”