State and local governments, and the public employees who serve our communities, are in crisis! As states, cities and counties across this nation, including here in Ohio, face massive budgetary shortfalls and fear of layoffs from the pandemic, it is dire that Congress pass additional aid for state and local governments.
The next three weeks are absolutely critical! From now until July 20, while Congress is on recess and members of Congress are home, member action is needed to amplify the importance of this aid to states and local governments. This includes contacting our U.S. Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown and demanding support for state and local government workers in need. Are you a union activist interested in drafting a personalized letter to your senator or writing a letter-to-the-editor on this issue? Contact OCSEA immediately HERE for assistance and talking points. Members can go online HERE to demand federal front line funding.
Senate leaders have delayed any consideration of a funding bill far too long, even though the House passed over $1 trillion in aid more than a month ago. Now, the Senate is on a two-week vacation, further delaying aid, despite many state fiscal years just started on July 1, and governments are beginning to cut and furlough workers. Senate leaders signaled intentions to introduce a bill by July 20, when the Senate returns.
AFSCME is urging Congress to act immediately to help our communities by swiftly passing a COVID relief bill that provides critical, flexible assistance to states, cities, towns and schools. This is needed to prevent both a catastrophic shutdown in vital services while ensuring that our state’s economy can safely re-open and flourish. The Senate must act immediately to enact bold, comprehensive legislation to strengthen our communities by providing state and local aid as well as the necessary investments to protect front line workers, specifically, and public health, generally, in this time of crisis. Take action!
Join OCSEA union brother at state funding tele-town hall TODAY
Brian Miller, our union brother from Marion Correctional Institution, knows what happens when you don't invest in the front lines. Employees go without, prisons are understaffed and unsafe and union brothers and sisters put their lives on the line. And that's when we're not in the middle of a pandemic.
OCSEA activist Brian Miller will join AFSCME International President Lee Saunders and other union members for a tele-town hall TODAY, Wed. July 8 at 3 p.m. to talk about the dire need for federal aid in states like Ohio. Brian, who contracted COVID-19 and has felt the weight and loss of the pandemic firsthand, is asking other OCSEA sisters and brothers to demand that the U.S. Senate pass state and local aid.
To participate in the tele-town hall, you must register by 1 p.m. today. Go HERE to register. Registrants will be called on the phone number they provide at registration when the event is about to begin just prior to 3 p.m. Signup for dial-out was also promoted via email and text message.