OCSEA activists across Ohio braved the cold, wind and snow to tell our communities AND the State of Ohio that it is way past due for a fair union contract and wage package.

From Grafton and Lorain Correctional near the brisk Lake Erie to a Cincinnati ODOT garage, and everywhere in between, activists lined streets and town squares to spread the word.

"Public union employees need the State of Ohio to do right by their workers," said Ohio Reformatory for Women Chapter 8010 President Tom Holden. Brother Holden called out his corrections bosses and the management bargaining team for dragging their feet and failing to make a deal with OCSEA.

Activists at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky lined the streets outside the facility that cares for our Ohio veterans, waving signs, chanting for respect and singing "Solidarity Forever." And this was the sentiment across Ohio, from sun up to sun down.

While the majority of pickets were held near correctional facilities and other caretaking facilities, activists in administrative agencies also spoke out and participated in events and social media blitzes.

The union and state Bargaining Teams started the Fact Finding process on Tuesday, with the union making their case for a good-faith contract that helps, not hinders, public union workers in Ohio. A Fact Finding email update will come out at the end of this week.

"I just want to say thank you and God bless all the union brothers and sisters who had the OCSEA Bargaining Team's back this week. You braved all the elements in solidarity, and the team couldn't be more proud," said OCSEA President Chris Mabe."We continue to fight like hell in Fact Finding to show it's way past due to give our members the contract they deserve. The State has the ability to pay!"

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This week's OCSEA Bargaining Blitz reminded us of the power that women union leaders have in the workplace. Many powerhouse OCSEA female leaders led their chapters to hold informative and impactful Bargaining Blitz pickets and events. They let their communities (and their union co-workers) know about the importance of a fair union contract, especially for women and families.

Correction Officer Michelle Ward Mowery is just one of many female OCSEA leaders that led informational pickets this week to give a voice to union public workers who take care of our communities. "Being a woman union leader means empowering others to take a stand in the workplace. This is especially important in our correctional facilities," said Michelle.

Female activists and leaders at Grafton and Lorain Correctional, Franklin Medical Center and the Ohio Veterans Home, just to name a few, helped make this week's events a resounding success.

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When union women stand together and lift our voices, we create strong communities. This means organizing for rights and respect.

Women are a majority of public service workers and a majority of AFSCME members. Female union leaders keep our communities thriving, and we don't sit on the sidelines.

The union difference is even greater for women workers when it comes to pay, with women making 23 percent more than their nonunion counterparts. That equates to $214 more per week than nonunion women workers. See more at ocsea.org/value.

Additionally, the share of Black and Latina women in unions is on the rise. In fact, this is the fastest growing group of union members nationwide.