Kicking off Women's History Month, announcing OCSEA Women's Action Conference
As we kick off this Women's History Month, we're reminded of the real difference that unionization makes for working women and working families. Did you know that union women make $214 more per week than their non-union counterparts? That's right! Unions even the playing for women workers (especially in public service) and give them the power to have an impact on the job and in their lives.
Women’s participation in unions is beneficial for several reasons. Not only does it mean higher wages, but it also equates to higher rates of health insurance coverage than non-unionized women. Unionized women’s leadership is also critical to promoting issues of importance to women and families—including access to affordable child care, wage fairness, raising the minimum wage, and expanding access to paid sick days.
How has being union impacted your life as a woman? Tell your story so we can inspire others this Women's History Month and beyond! Tell Your Story!
WAC registration open! Sign up for April 22 Women's Conference
Registration is now open for OCSEA's Women's Action Committee (WAC) Conference. The annual women's conference will take place on April 21-22. All members are welcome to attend. The conference is being held at Salt Fork Park Lodge and Conference Center.
The main conference will take place on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a .m.-4 p.m., with pre-conference registration and a hospitality event on Friday evening. Registration on Saturday begins at 8 a.m., with the conference beginning promptly at 9 a.m. There is also a virtual option to attend for no fee.
This year's theme is"Women Empowering Women" and will focus on how empowering others and building strong female union leaders helps strengthen the labor movement for generations to come. Learn more about the event, how to register and more at OCSEA.org/WAC.
Agriculture chapter says THANK YOU to state meat inspectors
Over 70 union state meat inspectors from the Department of Agriculture gathered for an agency meeting in Reynoldsburg last week for the first time since the pandemic. That's because they've been busy on the frontlines in Ohio's plants, processing facilities and more to make sure our meat is safe to eat. These union members literally never quit.
In conjunction with the meeting, chapter leaders in Reynoldsburg Chapter 4550, led by President Andrew Smith and his awesome chapter leadership team, said a BIG thank you to these frontline workers with a barbecue lunch. The chapter also held a union fair that allowed Agriculture members to ask questions and to learn how being union benefits them and the Ohioans serve.
Duanita Booker, the chapter's secretary, was glad the chapter was able to honor her union brothers and sisters and to promote the power of being union. "I come from a union family. My mom worked for Kroger, so I am all about the union,” says Duanita.
See photos from the event on OCSEA's Facebook and Instagram pages.
Legislative Watch: HJR 1, no hearing...yet!
Eleven years ago, OCSEA and other Ohio public sector union members used a citizen-led veto measure to stop Senate Bill 5. That bill would have robbed public employees’ rights to form and negotiate as unions. But Ohio union members, like those in our union, got enough signatures to put it on the ballot and put it up for a vote of the people. And Ohioans agreed with us and voted to protect our collective bargaining rights!!!
Now, House Joint Resolution 1 could be the thing that undermines our rights again. HJR 1 is unfair, undemocratic, and unnecessary. It makes it harder for Ohioans to have the freedom to voice our concerns on matters such as our collective bargaining rights via citizen ballot initiatives.
In fact, HJR1 ends majority rule in Ohio by requiring ballot measures pass by a super majority or 60 percent. That means 41 percent of voters, a small amount, can block initiatives that a majority want. That shreds our constitution and takes away the people’s right to decide what happens.
Special interests and high-powered lobbyists are pushing this constitutional amendment because they want to rewrite the rules to benefit them. But we know HJR 1 takes away our freedom and rights to decide what happens. Ballot initiatives let us exercise that freedom.
OCSEA leaders and activists will be keeping a sharp eye out for any hearing on this bill, which is expected in the near future. “We’ll need to pack hearing rooms, just like we did with Senate Bill 5,” said OCSEA Pres. Chris Mabe. “These threats aren’t going away. We need to remain vigilant,” he said.
SPECIAL UNION NIGHTS!
OCSEA Union Night at Blue Jackets is March 11
Calling all OCSEA Chapters! Looking for a fun event for your chapter members? Spread the word about OCSEA's Union Night with the Columbus Blue Jackets and make a chapter union night out of it. The game is Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus! The game starts at 7 p.m.
The Union Night is open to all OCSEA members and families. Members receive exclusive rates and a CBJ giveaway item as the Blue Jackets take on the St. Louis Blues.
Click the Get TICKETS link for the member-only deal. Once tickets are purchased, you will receive instructions on how to pick up your free CBJ giveaway item.
Ohio AFL-CIO Union Night with the Dropkick Murphys is March 13
The Ohio AFL-CIO will host a Union Night with the Dropkick Murphys on March 13. Join union members across Ohio at Kemba Live in Columbus for an evening of union solidarity and celebration and great music by a band that has made fighting for union rights a part of its brand.
The cost of tickets to this special event is $41 and includes admission to the concert as well as a pre-show union party. Contact the Ohio AFL-CIO to purchase tickets and ask any questions at info@ohioaflcio.org. Hurry, though, as this St. Patrick's Day week event is sure to sell out fast.