This Women's History Month we celebrate the women union leaders and activists who make up more than half of OCSEA public employee union members. Women across this country are joining unions in large numbers...and leading unions. Why? Because they want to make a difference, not only for themselves and their families but for their communities who rely on them and every public employee who needs the power of collective bargaining.
This includes fierce, hard-working women like Andrea Woods, an Ohio Department of Transportation union steward and activist in Ross County. Andrea is an ODOT Administrative Professional 2 who, as a new steward, believes if you want change, you've got to make change. “When I came to ODOT and we had a union, I thought if we want change we have to enforce the contract," she said. Since then she's worn her union contract “ragged“ with enforcement. “Some believe that women can’t handle conflict, but that’s not true. Union Stewards like me are the ones who rock the boat,” she said. “And that’s fine by me.”
This includes one mighty contract enforcer, LaTonya Mitchell, a Therapeutic Program Worker at Twin Valley Behavioral Health Hospital who's been active in the union for more than six years. She’s currently a Steward and the chapter’s Secretary-Treasurer. She said especially since the pandemic, there’s been more of an opportunity to get people involved in the union. “Our chapter is definitely growing,” she said. LaTonya, who does a lot of one-on-ones and outreach, said she’d like to see more focus on state employees’ mental health. “I mean, we are in the mental health sector after all.”
Share LaTonya's story, and the stories of many powerful union women, on Facebook HERE or click below:
This includes new OCSEA union leader, Morgan Anderson, a Children Services Investigator for the Huron County Department of Job and Family Services. She is a public protector, that's for sure, as she investigates cases of child abuse and neglect. She visits families every day and works to offer vital resources and make sure every child in her community is safe and healthy. Morgan is also a brand new mom and knows it takes a village to raise a child. Just last year, Morgan was elected Vice President of her Huron Chapter 3900. She's excited to be more involved in the union and to be a voice on the job. "The biggest thing for me is having a union voice as a woman. We often bite our tongues, hold back. I want to be a voice not just for women but for everyone." She says having a union voice helps protect all Ohio families, including those she serves on a daily basis.
Share Morgan's story, and the stories of many powerful union women, on Facebook HERE or click below:
This includes ODJFS Customer Service Representative and OCSEA Chapter 7700 Steward
Christina Billips. She and her CSR union sisters and brothers are truly the unsung heroes of the pandemic. These women and men (but heavily female driven) offered the tender care that out-of-work Ohioans needed in one of our nation’s darkest hours. Billips, who has worked under several national economic emergencies and recessions, says this was one the hardest times she’s experienced. “I’m so glad those pandemics days are done. They were hard. But we were able to handle it. And that makes me proud. And now we’re looking up now. She says being union and being able to talk things over virtually with her co-workers made all the difference. She says being union has given her the flexibility she needs as a mom and to earn a good wage and benefits for her family.
Share Christina's story, and the stories of many powerful union women, on Facebook HERE or click below:
