Union coronavirus update May 27, 2020
AG’s Office to privatize law enforcement training academy
Friday, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office unceremoniously informed OCSEA of layoffs at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA). The AG’s office tried to use the Friday before a holiday to deaden the impact of the elimination of more than 40 jobs at the academy that trains law enforcement professionals from around the state. Ten of the positions are from OCSEA’s bargaining unit, including 7 Clerks and 3 Administrative Professionals, 31 are Law Enforcement Training Officers who are members of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and 3 are managers/supervisors.
OPOTA provides mandatory continuing education classes as well as advanced trainings
for peace officers in Ohio.
The agency says falling casino revenues due to the COVID crisis is to blame, in part. But the union says the agency has never increased its tuition fees as other schools and universities have that offer similar courses. Ultimately, the union sees the layoff as a privatization move since, according to the AG’s layoff rationale, the school will continue to offer classes as they have been using “guest instructors” to teach at OPOTA, regional partner facilities and online.
To add insult to injury, some staff were told on a group call that they would be losing their job and that a letter would be sent out shortly. At least one union member, who worked on site, was immediately escorted out the door after the announcement.
Also raising alarms in the layoff rationale is the mention of further “restructuring” at OPOTA, which could signal other changes or cuts.
OCSEA will immediately be filing a grievance on the layoff. Further, the OCSEA contract with the AG’s Office requires the agency to sit down and discuss the layoff and requires them to notify anyone who could be impacted by the layoff, including those who could be affected in any bumping process.
“This was our fear, that states and local governments would use this crisis to further decimate public services,” said OCSEA Pres. Chris Mabe. “This is not the time to be cutting. This is the time to double down. This is the time that everyone is realizing the importance of front line employees, including law enforcement agencies and their resources, like OPOTA. To privatize this resource is beyond ridiculous,” he said.
In other news...
Governor DeWine has announced the National Guard will be conducting tests on staff in Ohio’s nursing homes as well as all employees in Ohio’s 8 state Developmental Centers. Developmental Center testing started today at Mt. Vernon, Gallipolis, Warrensville and Tiffin. The rest of the DCs will be tested tomorrow. Staff will be mandated to take the test. Alternative days for people who are on leaves and unable to take the test will be announced.
Latest COVID-19 OCSEA grievances
COVID-19 Holiday Pay Class Action
Members who are being forced to stay home and utilize their own sick leave and/or the federal leave are being denied the payment for holiday pay. The union says the majority of those impacted this decision did not call in sick but were mandated to stay home as a precautionary measure. The union's grievance demands payment of all holiday pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. If forced to work overtime upon returning, members should be paid the overtime rate if warranted. Any leave accruals missed should be fixed and made whole.
Read more specifics about these grievances and see all COVID-19 grievances at ocsea.org/covid-19.
Fed up with Freedom Foundation? Report them!
Are you fed up with Freedom Foundation and Opt Out Today's constant barrage of anti-union harassment, especially in the midst of a national crisis? As a public employee union member, you've been targeted and now they are harassing you at work, at your home and, especially over work email (one member indicated to the union that he's received at least one Freedom Foundation email per week since the COVID-19 pandemic began). And, NOW they are texting OCSEA members at their personal cell phone numbers and at the numbers of their family members!!!! Are you kidding!?!?!
Let Ohio Attorney General Yost know you are FED UP with Freedom Foundation! File a complaint and let the AG's Office know every way Freedom Foundation is bothering you, whether it's over email, at your home, or over the phone or text. The harassment must stop! Report them! Go to OCSEA's website to learn exactly what you need to do. And, make sure, if you or any family member receive a text from them, to reply with STOP immediately.
ICYMI: union stories you may have missed
It's been a busy few weeks. Make sure to catch up on some of the union news that you may have missed in your email inbox.
Saving our communities: Relief for state and local governments
As state reopens, tragedy and the unknown
Health Care Open Enrollment wraps up May 29
Union scholarship deadline is June 15
New FREE Criminal Justice bachelor's: Three areas of study
All COVID-19 updates available at ocsea.org/covid-19
Take a Stand for the frontline on June 3 in Toledo, Cleveland & Columbus
The Ohio AFL-CIO and Ohio Labor Councils, in conjunction with the national AFL-CIO, will host Workers First Caravans next Wednesday, June 3 in Toledo, Cleveland and Columbus. The caravans of vehicles are meant to send a message to policymakers about the importance of vital funding and support for essential workers on the state and local levels in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Signage for cars will be provided. Masks are encouraged at sign pick-up and Ohio's social distancing rules will be in place. It's important to have your own vehicle or arrange car pooling prior to the event.
The Toledo Workers First Caravan will start at 11 a.m. at the Greater Northwest Ohio AFL-CIO Hall located at 4427 Talmadge Green Rd., Suite A, Toledo, OH 43623. RSVP
The Cleveland Workers First Caravan will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Local 310 Union Hall, 3250 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 and drive to the Federal Building located on E. 9th St. in downtown Cleveland. RSVP
The Columbus Workers First Caravan will begin 2 p.m. at the Columbus Firefighters Local at 379 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215 and will travel around the Ohio Statehouse and then Columbus City Hall. RSVP
"We’re already seeing the effects of stressed state and local budgets. Many of our members are working without adequate safety protections and access to personal protective equipment and are becoming sick and unable to work, with some losing their lives because of COVID-19," said organizers.
This event is in collaboration with the national AFL-CIO Workers First Caravan in which activists will travel to the Washington D.C. in support of vital federal funding for hurting states, towns and localities. The AFL-CIO is calling on Congress to embrace America’s Five Economic Essentials as the centerpiece of any federal aid to keep workers and their families safe and secure:
CC: OCSEA Board and Staff
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