Every year at Team Up ODOT, we are reminded about the innovation and skill that comes from our union brothers and sisters in transportation. This event is an opportunity for ODOT employees from across the state to exchange ideas on how to make their jobs safer and more efficient. OCSEA has been a proud partner in the event for 25 years. See the union's Team Up photo gallery.
“You get to come down and see all the innovative ideas from all the other districts and meet all the other workers,” said Greg Rigsby, a Highway technician 4 and president of ODOT Chapter 2100 in Delaware. “They may have been through the same things that you’re going through, and they may have come up with solutions on what works and what doesn’t work,” said Greg.
One of those solutions on display at Team Up ODOT was a new tool to repair barrier cables in highway medians. It’s a time consuming and dangerous job but the staff at ODOT District 1 is now using a equipment originally designed for the forestry industry to replace cables much faster and safer according to Joel Nelson, an HT2 from Allen Chapter 200 who works in roadway services. “We were using excavators or mini backhoes and it did the job but after using this piece of equipment we never went back,” Joel said.
The statewide ODOT Directors Cup Roadeo was also held in conjunction with the event. ODOT Roadeos are more than just a fun tests of abilities; these equipment contests in plow truck and loader show our communities how truly skilled our union brothers and sisters are at the work they do. We know the VERY BEST are taking care of our roadways and more!
Congrats to this year's 1st Place Director Cup Roadeo winners:
Truck: Sean Elliott (ODOT District 5) from Knox / Licking Chapter 4500
Loader: Trenton Otworth (ODOT District 9) from Portsmouth Chapter 7310
The top three winners in each category received a trophy and check prize from their union OCSEA/ODOT Assembly. Watch this OCSEA video from the Roadeo as OCSEA brother Collin Thomas explains the Roadeo process. A member of ODOT Chapter 2513, Collin served as a judge in the loader competition.