Honoring the legacy of MLK, Jr. and the labor movement
"The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr., October 1965
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday next week, OCSEA and AFSCME, our national union, continue to reiterate a lesser known but equally important strand of Dr. King’s legacy: his unwavering belief in the dignity of labor and the vital difference made by labor unions in the lives of working people.
"The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress," said MLK, Jr. speaking at the Illinois AFL-CIO Convention in 1965. And that sentiment rings true nearly 60 years later as workers continue to fight for dignity and demand that their voices be heard on the job. The fact that labor and civil rights histories are so intertwined is an important labor lesson afforded by this important holiday.
One way OCSEA members can learn more about our labor history is by listening to AFSCME's I AM Story podcast. The award-winning podcast details the history and legacy of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, examining the origins of the AFSCME Local 1733 strike and the events leading up to the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was assassinated while in Memphis supporting the strikers. The podcast is one every OCSEA/AFSCME member should listen to as it provides a front-row seat to the events that shook the nation, featuring AFSCME strikers who were there and firsthand accounts of some of today’s leading civil rights icons. Together, these powerful voices guide listeners through this moment in AFSCME history while also connecting the struggles of the past to the challenges facing working people now.
"Despite the progress of the last 60 years, much remains to be done. That’s why our union is committed to protecting and expanding labor rights, civil rights and voting rights, and to fighting for racial and economic justice for all," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders.
Read “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” the speech MLK, Jr. gave in support of the striking sanitation workers at Mason Temple in Memphis, TN on April 3, 1968—the day before he was assassinated.
The Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday is an official day of service and celebrates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy. Find a National Day of Service event near you.
Bargaining continues this week, Solidarity Wednesdays underway to build solidarity
State contract bargaining continues again this week. The OCSEA Bargaining Team meets with State management through Thursday. All updates will be posted at OCSEA.org/bargaining.
Looking for ways to support the Bargaining Team as negotiations continue? One important way to support the Bargaining Team is by completing a Solidarity Pledge Card. The raffle for OCSEA's Solidarity Pledge Card Drive runs through THIS Friday, January 12! The last raffle drawing will take place next week. After that, even though raffles will not be drawn, pledge cards are still being collected to line the union hall. So please continue to mail those in!
Every chapter was given enough pledge cards for every member of their chapter to sign one. If you've not signed one yet, contact your chapter leaders before Friday. Call 888-OCSEA-11 if you need help reaching your chapter.
Another way to support the Bargaining Team is by participating in Solidarity Wednesdays, a simple but effective way to show management that we're united in solidarity and unified to fight against management's proposed takeaways! Every Wednesday through bargaining, members should wear an OCSEA shirt or green attire, whether at the office or at home. Chapters should also hold events on site. Spread the word with this Solidarity Wednesdays flyer.
The Bargaining To Do List is also a great way to support the Team. Sign up for bargaining emails, text alerts and much more. Visit OCSEA.org/bargaining and click the "Bargaining To Do List" button to get started. There you will also find the OCSEA Bargaining Toolkit, an important resource to help promote and support the Team.
Sign up for mobile alerts: Text OCSEA2024 to 237-263
New member looks forward to the benefits of being union
When LaToya Walker moved from Akron to Columbus this past summer, she wasn't sure what lie ahead for her and her family. But the life change has led to a position in public service and union benefits that have her excited for the future.
LaToya recently signed her OCSEA union membership card as a new employee with the Ohio Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS). "I'm really new to the job and to the union, but I'm excited for the education benefits that could help my family," said LaToya, a single mom who has two sons, one who is a young adult. She says she's really interesting in gathering more information on discount college to assist her son who works in highway construction out-of-state.
LaToya says the prospects of being union aren't new to her, but after being a Property Manager for 10 years and also working in the health care field prior to state service, she's ready for a new change and to try something new. "The union has a lot to offer, and I'm looking forward to learning about all of that," she said.
As a new member, LaToya is also ready to do what she can to support her OCSEA Bargaining Team and seeing what the new contract will have to offer. She's looking forward to voting on the contract for the first time, too. Did you know, even members with less than one year of service are permitted to vote on the union contract? That's right! All active dues-paying members, even those still within their State probationary period, are eligible to vote on the union contract.
Is your Union Bulletin Board ready for bargaining? Decorate and win!
The New Year is a great time to update and refresh your onsite union bulletin boards and to make sure it's picture perfect for bargaining! Join the OCSEA Bargaining Bulletin Board contest! Chapters who submit photos of their union boards OR union offices decorated for bargaining will be entered to win 5 bargaining t-shirts and 100 bargaining lapel buttons for their chapters. Those photos can be sent to communications@ocsea.org.
Need content for your boards or union office? The January 2024 Union Bulletin Board Network (UBBN) flyers are here and available for download at OCSEA.org/UBBN. Flyers include information on Solidarity Wednesdays, the Bargaining To Do List and more. You can also find bargaining signs and other resources in the OCSEA Toolkit at OCSEA.org/Toolkit.
Don't have an onsite bulletin board? The virtual bulletin board network at OCSEA.org/UBBN gives OCSEA members access to union flyers with a click of a button. Chapters who don't have boards are urged to email the flyers or UBBN link to their members and distribute flyers at meetings. Any chapter that needs assistance with printing flyers should contact the OCSEA mailroom at 614-865-4733.
New Year. New Contract. Resolve to build union solidarity!
Are you ready to kick off the New Year right? How about resolving to build union solidarity and support for a fair contract in 2024. Click HERE to learn more.