MERLENE MARTIN, this year's Albert Shanker PSRP Pioneer, is known for three traits as president of the Oregon School Employees Association: leadership, honesty and fair treatment of members.

Martin leads on behalf of others, not at the expense of others, PSRP chair Lorretta Johnson said in bestowing the award. For OSEA members, Martin has spearheaded programs, helped make schools better places to work and led the union through the process of affiliation with the AFT earlier this year.

Just before winning the award, Martin explained how the affiliation happened. In 1998, OSEA sent letters to four national unions asking if they'd like to consider a partnership. Three chose to explore the possibility.

"AFT, I have to say, was a little smarter," Martin said. "Those other two unions went away, but you know, AFT hung around. We got to be friends."

OSEA leaders put a democratic process in place so that every member could have a say in whether to join the AFT. Ultimately, 85 percent voted yes.

As much as Martin deserves credit for helping bring about the largest affiliation of an independent union in AFT history, she handed the credit right back to OSEA leaders and members. "This award may be in my name," she said, "but I tell you what: It's because of everything you do."