OCSEA union member Camille Anderson knew her work schedule would make it impossible to attend Wednesday’s prison picket in Lucasville. But as an employee at the Franklin Medical Center in Columbus, she wanted to show her support for her union brothers and sisters in Corrections. That’s why she decided to help make signs for the picket on her day off. Anderson is not a union officer or steward but, with union blood in her family, she fully understands the importance of union solidarity and doing her part to keep her brothers and sisters safe. “As public employees, we can’t be everywhere at once. We can’t do everything. But we can do things here and there to make a real difference,” said Anderson.
Johanna Pipes, a union member from the Corrections Reception Center in Orient, agrees! She says every OCSEA member has a role to play in standing up for safety on the job for all public employees. Pipes used her day off to attend the Lucasville picket and show solidarity. Pipes sees, firsthand, that assaults, especially against women COs, and inmate drug abuse are on the rise. Her enthusiasm for the cause and hours on the picket line were just what the Lucasville union employees needed! "You have to be the change you want to see!" she says.
Know of an OCSEA or AFSCME public employee union member who goes above and beyond? Nominate them now for AFSCME's Never Quit Service Award!