Recently, John Fadorsen, a former steward and Leroy Wallace, a new steward, both hit the books to take a Stewards Training at OCSEA Headquarters led by Staff Representative Adam Ruth. John has been a Mail Clerk Screener for two years and prior to that, a Correction Officer with the Corrections Reception Center (CRC). He worked at Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility for 16 and half years, for a combined 23 years of state service.
Leroy was a Corrections Officer at Corrections Medical Center before coming to Pickaway Correctional Institution (PCI). He has held the title of Sergeant and now is a Workshop Specialist at the Meat Packing plant at PCI, instructing inmates on meat processing. He’s worked a combined 29 years of state service.
Both members say the pandemic was a sort of flash point for their institutions. For John, severe understaffing at CRC exploded and, unfortunately, continues to be a major headache for staff there. For Leroy, a downsized Table of Organization was definitely an issue during COVID. But unlike CRC, PCI has been able to “staff up” to keep overtime lower and is almost at pre-pandemic staffing levels.
They point to the competitive job market that the Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Corrections currently is facing as one of the obstacles to hiring, with lots of other industries vying for job candidates in and around Central Ohio.
The pair believes becoming a steward and getting involved in representing members is still an important step. “Management is still doing stupid stuff,” laughed John. “That hasn’t changed,” he grinned.
Are you interested in building your union knowledge?
Your union is here to help! Contact your chapter leadership or OCSEA staff representative to see if there is a training in your area soon or to request a Basic Steward Training or other union training. The OCSEA Labor Education Department can also assist you with finding training options or to schedule a class for your area. Call 1-800-969-4702 ext. 2656 or by email HERE to get started.
Here are a few upcoming trainings that might interest you:
- OCSEA ShopTalk: Crime Victim Compensation – for Corrections and DYS members only
Thursday, Oct. 22 | 9 a.m. on Zoom | Register now!
Corrections and Youth Services staff who have experienced violence in the workplace may need assistance with out-of-pocket expenses not covered by other sources such as Occupational Injury Leave (OIL) or Workers Compensation. This OCSEA ShopTalk presentation, led by Shawn Moser, Lead Investigator of Crime Victim Services, will provide an overview of the Ohio Crime Victims Compensation Program administered by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
- OCSEA Evidence, Investigatory Interviews and Pre-Discipline Training
Thursday, October 27 | 5-8 p.m. on Zoom | Register now!
This is an online Evidence, Investigatory Interviews and Pre-Discipline Training open to all OCSEA dues-paying members. The training, presented by OCSEA Staff Representatives Jennie Lewis and Patti Hill, will focus on developing skills in representing members, including how to gather the necessary information to prepare grievances for the optimal outcome. The training will last about 2.5-3 hours.