OCSEA Sisters and Brothers
As we head into the holiday weekend, I want to take a moment to say Happy Thanksgiving and to wish all my OCSEA sisters and brothers a safe and healthy holiday. I'm thankful for all our public union members and all you do to keep Ohio afloat, especially those who will be working throughout this long holiday weekend. You are at the heart of serving millions of Ohioans each year, and I extend my gratitude for all your exceptionalism and commitment, not only to public service but also to the values that make our union strong.
Being union means having a union contract that protects us and gives us a voice when management would rather us be silent. It's not always perfect, but it's ours! This holiday season, I'm thankful for union-negotiated leaves that allow us to be with our families and take care of ourselves, union-negotiated health care that keeps us well and union protections that give us the stability we and our families need in these trying times. And let's not forget the union-negotiated sick leave cash-out that puts a little bit of our own earnings in our pockets each holiday season. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. But most of all, I'm thankful for the volunteer contract enforcers on the ground who stand up for the contract, fight to make it stronger and make sure ALL of our union voices are heard.
Being union means being family. And, just like our families, we're not always going to agree. But being family, through thick and thin, also means having each other's backs and building each other up. And that starts with our union leadership. Over the next year, we will be focusing on a union leadership training that builds our solidarity, fosters strong and new leadership, gives our local chapters the skills they need to succeed, fortifies our labor/management and bargaining strategies and so much more. Stay tuned for more information to come as we head into 2023.
Speaking of family, I'm also so thankful for all our chapters and union members who have been working hard to give back to our communities and make our world a better place. With so much negativity in the world, OCSEA members are always an example of the great deeds that are happening every day. That includes activists in Ashtabula County Chapter 400 who headed up "Hats & Gloves" drive for a second year. They have collected over 100 hats and around 140 sets of gloves for grade school kids. The chapter is also donating to a new program at a local school that helps provide essentials that so many kids don't have like snacks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, socks, shoes, underwear, etc. Shout out to Chapter 400 members who are working hard for our school kids who have been through so much over the past few years.
Over the next few weeks, we will be talking about union gratitude and celebrating what makes us strong: Our membership! Look for more information coming soon about OCSEA's 12 Days of Christmas. This celebration will include a spotlight of all things union and lots of prize giveaways (12 to be exact!) Stay tuned!
In solidarity and thankfulness,
OCSEA President, Chris Mabe
See more reasons to be thankful for being union!
How are you and your chapter giving back?
The holidays bring out the best in OCSEA activists. How are you or your local chapter giving back to the community this holiday season, especially during this unique time? Email us at LaborGivesBack@ocsea.org and tell your story of charitable giving.