Jim Costello is a long-time
union activist set to retire
this year with 35 years of
public service. Jim, who is chief
steward for Ashtabula Chapter
400, came to the Ohio Department of Transportation back in
1987, right after OCSEA’s first State
contract was signed in 1986. Having lived this union history, Jim says it's vital the next generation of OCSEA activists know the history of the union
and let history be their guide
for the future.
“When collective bargaining
came in, we finally had representation and could fight against
[unfair] practices. It gave us protection and really changed the game
for public employees,” he said in reference to political patronage that plagued ODOT.
Jim says it's time for the next generationl to "step up in our union,
too." "People like me are leaving
the union. I’m the last of the old
stewards in Ashtabula County,”
he said, referring to his pending
retirement this month. “Young people
need to get more experience in
the union and learn from our
history. And what a history it is,”
he said. Read his story on page 11 of the recent union magazine at OCSEA.org/PEQ.