FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2012
June 18, 2012
AFGE National Secretary-Treasurer J. David Cox Appointed Chair of the AFL-CIO’s Union Veterans Council
(WASHINGTON) – Today, the AFL-CIO names American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Secretary-Treasurer J. David Cox chair of the organization’s Union Veterans Council. The Council is comprised of labor leaders and union activists working together in support of veterans’ issues with the goal of influencing public policy that will improve the quality of life for America’s veterans and their families. Cox previously served as vice co-chair of the Council.
“The care of our nation’s veterans is of utmost importance to me. They have sacrificed so much to this country. It is my honor to be an advocate for the care they receive within the VA, ensure our elected officials keep up their end of the bargain and provide our heroes with the support they deserve,” said Cox.
Cox has a long history in serving our nation’s heroes. He began his public service career as a registered nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs and served in that post for more than 20 years. During that time, he became a leader at his local union, AFGE Local 1738 covering North Carolina VA facilities in Salisbury, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Fayetteville and Durham. As an advocate for workers’ rights and veterans’ issues, Cox moved on to serve as the first executive vice president of AFGE’s National VA Council. In 2006 and 2009, Cox was elected as AFGE’s national-secretary treasurer where he continues his work as a champion for veterans and the fair and equitable treatment of employees on the job.
“As a federal union leader I have the unique privilege of fighting for the workplace rights and protections of federal and D.C. government employees, many of whom are veterans. I am pleased that the AFL-CIO has given me the opportunity to continue to serve our vets in this new capacity,” said Cox.
The Council continues to push for the expansion of VA health care access to rural and female veterans, as well as, increased measures to treat the unseen wounds of war, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions.
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