Last week, about 50 OCSEA retirees gathered in fellowship at OCSEA Headquarters for one of the first big outings of retirees since the pandemic. The OCSEA Retiree Board, which hosted the event, is chaired by Ron Alexander, with Jean Fightmaster, Michelle Hunter, Donna Westrick, Joe Wing and Mary Anderson serving as committee members.
Representatives from the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) spoke about the retirement fund, and Norman Wernet, President of the Ohio Alliance of Retired Americans, led a discussion about the Windfall Elimination Provision that reduces Social Security benefits of public sector employees.
AFSCME International President Lee Saunders made a surprise appearance at the luncheon, reminding retirees that they have no “Hatch” restrictions on political activity and encouraged them to get involved in helping get worker-friendly candidates elected. In fact, the retiree group rolled up their sleeves then and there to write 200 postcards urging their other union brothers and sisters to support union-endorsed candidates.