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Taking a stand for the middle class - OCSEA

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AFSCME LOCAL 11/AFL-CIO<br />

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY Volume 68, No. 3 • SUMMER 2012<br />

Gerrymandering<br />

ODOT<br />

Privatization<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

<strong>Taking</strong> a <strong>stand</strong><br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>middle</strong> <strong>class</strong>


Union files lawsuit<br />

A family speaks out against<br />

prison privatization<br />

The Ohio Civil<br />

Service Employees<br />

Association has filed<br />

a lawsuit on behalf of over 270<br />

members who were laid off or<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rwise negatively affected<br />

by <strong>the</strong> privatization of North<br />

Central Correctional Institution<br />

in Marion and <strong>the</strong> sale of Lake<br />

Erie Correctional Facility in<br />

Conneaut.<br />

The complaint, filed in<br />

<strong>the</strong> Franklin County Court<br />

of Common Pleas in June,<br />

names 11 employee plaintiffs<br />

who have lost <strong>the</strong>ir jobs, been<br />

uprooted from <strong>the</strong>ir communities<br />

or were wrongfully<br />

excluded from employment<br />

because of <strong>the</strong> privatization of<br />

<strong>the</strong>se prisons.<br />

Rebecca Sayers, a laid<br />

off Correction Officer who<br />

transferred to <strong>the</strong> Toledo<br />

Correctional Institution due to<br />

<strong>the</strong> privatization of NCCI, is one<br />

of those plaintiffs. Sayers travels<br />

twice a week to Toledo and<br />

must stay <strong>for</strong> days away from<br />

her family.<br />

As a results, she can no<br />

longer babysit her grandkids or<br />

attend <strong>the</strong>ir school or sporting<br />

events.<br />

The union is seeking an end<br />

to <strong>the</strong> prison contracts and full<br />

reinstatement of <strong>the</strong> affected<br />

employees.<br />

CO Rebecca Sayers misses spending time with her family. Her transfer to<br />

Toledo takes her away from home <strong>for</strong> days at a time.<br />

Tucked into Ohio’s budget<br />

bill (House Bill 153) last year<br />

were numerous changes to<br />

Ohio law that would allow <strong>for</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> first-ever outright sale of<br />

a state prison as well as <strong>the</strong><br />

expansion of <strong>the</strong> number of<br />

leased prisons in Ohio.<br />

The complaint filed<br />

by <strong>OCSEA</strong> indicates<br />

that <strong>the</strong> sale of<br />

Conneaut and <strong>the</strong><br />

leasing of NCCI are in<br />

violation of numerous<br />

Ohio constitutional<br />

laws, including one<br />

that prohibits <strong>the</strong><br />

state from lending its<br />

credit to private companies.<br />

The lawsuit<br />

also questions <strong>the</strong><br />

constitutionality of<br />

privatizing prisons on<br />

<strong>the</strong> basis of closing<br />

a budget gap. More<br />

than $72 million<br />

from <strong>the</strong> sale of <strong>the</strong><br />

Conneaut prison that<br />

was supposed to offset a hole<br />

in <strong>the</strong> state budget remains in a<br />

state retiree bond fund.<br />

“While we believe that privatization<br />

is unlawful, our bigger<br />

concern is <strong>the</strong> impact that privatization<br />

has on our members’<br />

lives,” said <strong>OCSEA</strong> President<br />

Christopher Mabe. “Not only<br />

is privatization unsafe and bad<br />

public business, it’s devastating<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> lives of <strong>the</strong>se employees.<br />

These public servants did nothing<br />

wrong and now are being<br />

punished by <strong>the</strong>se bad public<br />

policies.”<br />

Sayers recently told <strong>the</strong><br />

Marion Star that she “misses<br />

doing <strong>the</strong> things that grandmas<br />

are supposed to do.”<br />

Sayers also has had to secure<br />

housing in Toledo at an extra<br />

cost of $500 a month. “No<br />

family should have to live like<br />

this. This has turned my life and<br />

<strong>the</strong> lives of my family members<br />

upside down.”<br />

2 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


Understaffed and<br />

Overstressed<br />

Assaults on female COs at ToCI<br />

<strong>the</strong> latest problem<br />

Violence in <strong>the</strong> state’s<br />

newest prison has<br />

exploded, but this<br />

time, with a twist. In May, some<br />

female Correction Officers<br />

at <strong>the</strong> Toledo Correctional<br />

Institution were warned about<br />

a list of names of female COs<br />

who were being targeted by<br />

inmates. By June, three of <strong>the</strong><br />

five women had already been<br />

assaulted. Michelle Deiley was<br />

one of those women.<br />

“This should never have happened.<br />

I did nothing to upset<br />

this inmate nor did I deserve<br />

this,” said CO Deiley, a single<br />

mom with two young children.<br />

Deiley, a model employee<br />

with more than 12 years under<br />

her belt, was working mandatory<br />

overtime when she was<br />

attacked and hit more than 20<br />

times in <strong>the</strong> head by an inmate.<br />

She was working alone in a<br />

Level 4 maximum security unit.<br />

The first hit went right to <strong>the</strong><br />

eye, blinding her temporarily<br />

and making her unable to reach<br />

<strong>for</strong> her man down alarm. She<br />

suffered multiple contusions to<br />

her head and face, rendering<br />

her unidentifiable.<br />

“I don’t feel safe working by<br />

myself anymore,” said Deiley.<br />

Lucky <strong>for</strong> Deiley, ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

inmate pulled <strong>the</strong> assailant off of<br />

her. “If that inmate hadn’t come<br />

along, I might be dead.”<br />

Two o<strong>the</strong>r female Correction<br />

Officers were also targeted by<br />

maximum security inmates.<br />

Julie Harris works recreation<br />

and was blasted in <strong>the</strong> side of<br />

CO Michelle Deiley during happier times with her son Jimmy at<br />

a Cleveland Cavaliers game. Deiley was brutally attacked by an<br />

inmate in June 2012.<br />

<strong>the</strong> face with a basketball, and<br />

Caroline Powers was punched<br />

in <strong>the</strong> face while working in <strong>the</strong><br />

“chow hall.”<br />

Deiley, along with ToCI<br />

union leadership, believe staffing<br />

shortages as well as staffing<br />

policies are mostly to blame.<br />

Even in <strong>the</strong> maximum security<br />

cell blocks, COs<br />

work alone with<br />

only <strong>the</strong> back up<br />

of roving staff.<br />

Support staff must<br />

cover multiple<br />

units and transport<br />

inmates to<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r areas of <strong>the</strong><br />

prison, which<br />

leaves many COs<br />

alone in <strong>the</strong>ir units <strong>for</strong> much of<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir shift. In addition, <strong>the</strong> shortages<br />

are causing security staff to<br />

work back-to-back shifts, sometimes<br />

<strong>for</strong> days at a time.<br />

“My whole issue is staffing.<br />

It’s to <strong>the</strong> point where it’s dangerous.<br />

Our people are worn<br />

out from being frozen. We’re<br />

getting frozen <strong>for</strong> overtime two<br />

and three days in a row. We<br />

went into second shift today<br />

with seven people short,” said<br />

ToCI Chap. 4818 President<br />

Randy Deeble. “That’s on top<br />

of <strong>the</strong> positions that aren’t currently<br />

filled.”<br />

ToCI is running at least 23<br />

Correction Officers short. Their<br />

Table of Organization allows<br />

<strong>for</strong> 245, but we’re operating at<br />

around 212 COs, according to<br />

Deeble.<br />

When mandatory overtime is<br />

high, sick leave typically goes<br />

up, compromising security.<br />

“Employees are so stressed<br />

from <strong>the</strong> overtime and violence<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y’re going out on stress<br />

leave,” said Deeble.<br />

“I don’t feel safe<br />

working by myself<br />

anymore,”<br />

~Michelle Deiley<br />

Corrections Officer,<br />

Toledo Correctional Institution<br />

Leaders like Deeble’s Vice<br />

President, Dawn Schaber-Goa,<br />

also are asking why? “If management<br />

knew <strong>the</strong> women were<br />

being targeted, why weren’t<br />

<strong>the</strong>y better protected?” said<br />

Schaber-Goa. “These women<br />

need to be on a protected<br />

or non-inmate post. It’s not<br />

enough just to warn <strong>the</strong>m that<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are being targeted.”<br />

“One thing I can say, regardless<br />

of <strong>the</strong> trouble we are<br />

having, ToCI employees are<br />

still coming to work. They still<br />

are professionals. But <strong>the</strong>y are<br />

beat down and tired. We don’t<br />

see any hope in <strong>the</strong> next three<br />

months,” said Deeble.<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 3


<strong>OCSEA</strong>-endorsed candidates 2012<br />

What district are you in?<br />

Use <strong>the</strong>se maps as a guide to find your new Ohio House, Ohio Senate and U.S. Congressional<br />

districts. NOTE: <strong>OCSEA</strong> did not endorse anyone who supported SB 5.<br />

LOCAL<br />

AFL-CIO<br />

Ohio Civil Service<br />

Employees Association<br />

www.<strong>OCSEA</strong>.org<br />

U.S. Congressional Districts<br />

U.S. President<br />

Barack Obama<br />

Ohio Supreme Court<br />

Yvette McGee Brown (D)<br />

WIlliam (Bill) O’Neill (D)<br />

Mike Skindell (D)<br />

Ohio Senate<br />

Dist.<br />

Endorsement<br />

2 Randy Gardner (R)<br />

6 Rick McKiddy (D)<br />

10 Jeff Robertson (D)<br />

16 Jim Hughes* (R)<br />

18 Jim Mueller (D)<br />

20 Teresa Scarmack (D)<br />

22 James E Riley (D)<br />

24 Tom Patton* (R)<br />

26 Tanyce Addison (D)<br />

28 Tom Sawyer* (D<br />

30 Lou Gentile* (D)<br />

32 Capri Cafaro* (D)<br />

* Incumbents<br />

Ohio Senate Districts<br />

U.S. Senate<br />

Endorsement<br />

Sherrod Brown (D)*<br />

U.S. Congress<br />

Dist. Endorsement<br />

2 William R. Smith (D)<br />

3 Joyce Beatty (D)<br />

4 Jim Slone (D)<br />

5 Angela Zimmerman (D)<br />

6 Charlie Wilson (D)<br />

7 Joyce Abrams (D)<br />

9 Marcy Kaptur* (D)<br />

10 Sharon Neuhardt (D)<br />

11 Marcia Fudge* (D)<br />

* Incumbents<br />

4 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


Ohio House of Representatives Districts<br />

Dist. Endorsement<br />

2 Ellen Haring (D)<br />

3 Kelly Wicks (D)<br />

4 Robert Huenke (D)<br />

5 Nick Barborak (D)<br />

6 Anthony Fossaceca (D)<br />

7 Matt Patten (D)<br />

8 Armond Budish* (D<br />

9 Barbara Boyd* (D)<br />

10 Bill Pattmon* (D)<br />

11 Sandra Williams* (D)<br />

12 John Barnes Jr. * (D)<br />

13 Nickie Antonio* (D)<br />

14 Mike Foley* (D)<br />

15 Nicholas Celebrezze* (D)<br />

16 Andrew Meyer (D)<br />

18 Michael Stinziano* (D)<br />

19 Ryan Jolley (D)<br />

20 Hea<strong>the</strong>r Bishoff (D)<br />

21 Donna O’Connor (D)<br />

22 John Patrick Carney* (D)<br />

23 Traci Johnson (D)<br />

24 Maureen Reedy (D)<br />

25 Kevin Boyce* (D)<br />

26 Tracy Heard* (D)<br />

27 Nathan Wissman (D)<br />

28 Connie Pillich* (D)<br />

29 Hubert Brown (D)<br />

31 Denise Driehaus (D)<br />

32 Dale Mallory* (D)<br />

33 Alicia Reece*(D)<br />

34 Vern Sykes* (D)<br />

35 Zach Milkovich* (D)<br />

36 Paul Colavecchio (D)<br />

37 Tom Schmida (D)<br />

38 Michael Kaplan (D)<br />

39 Clayton Luckie* (D)<br />

40 Carl Fisher (D)<br />

41 Caroline Gentry (D)<br />

43 Roland Winburn* (D)<br />

44 Michael Ash<strong>for</strong>d* (D)<br />

45 Teresa Fedor (D)<br />

46 Matt Szollosi* (D)<br />

47 Jeffery Bunck (D)<br />

48 Amanda Trump (D)<br />

49 Stephen Slesnick* (D)<br />

50 Sue Ryan<br />

51 Mark Hardig (D)<br />

53 Suzi Rubin (D)<br />

55 Matt Lundy* (D)<br />

56 Dan Ramos* (D)<br />

57 Mat<strong>the</strong>w Lark (D)<br />

58 Robert Hagan* (D)<br />

59 Ron Gerberry* (D)<br />

60 Dan Troy (D)<br />

61 Susan McGuinness (D)<br />

62 Mike Kassalen (D)<br />

63 Sean O’Brien* (D)<br />

64 Tom Letson* (D)<br />

65 Steve Myers (D)<br />

66 Ken McNeely (D)<br />

67 David Hogan (D)<br />

69 Judith A. Cross (D)<br />

71 Brady Jones (D)<br />

72 David Dilly (D)<br />

73 Bill Conner (D)<br />

75 Kathleen Clyde* (D)<br />

76 Tom Warren (D)<br />

77 Kelly Bryant (D)<br />

78 Jeremy VanMeter (D)<br />

80 Dave Fisher (D)<br />

81 John Vanover (D)<br />

83 John Kostyo (D)<br />

84 Ronald Hammons (D)<br />

86 Cheryl Johncox (D)<br />

87 Jeff Lehart (D)<br />

88 William Young (D)<br />

89 Chris Redfern (D)<br />

90 John Haas (D)<br />

91 Peter Pence (D)<br />

92 Robert Armstrong (D)<br />

93 Luke Scott (D)<br />

94 Debbie Phillips* (D)<br />

95 Charles Daniels (D)<br />

96 Jack Cera (D)<br />

97 Frank Fleischer (D)<br />

98 Josh O’Farrell (D)<br />

99 John Patterson (D)<br />

* Incumbents<br />

Printed in-house by<br />

LOCAL<br />

AFL-CIO<br />

Ohio Civil Service<br />

Employees Association<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 5


In Solidarity, we win<br />

CHRISTOPHER MABE<br />

President<br />

Between fighting<br />

privatization, lobbying<br />

<strong>for</strong> our pensions,<br />

fighting <strong>for</strong> a member’s<br />

right to run <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> state<br />

House of Representatives and<br />

trying to get a redistricting<br />

measure on <strong>the</strong> ballot, it’s<br />

been as busy this year, as it<br />

was last year.<br />

Last year, we saved collective<br />

bargaining with our<br />

defeat of Senate Bill 5. This<br />

year, we’ve been working<br />

just as hard to save members’<br />

jobs.<br />

The Kasich administration<br />

continues to plow <strong>for</strong>ward<br />

with plans to privatize anything<br />

not nailed down. But<br />

mostly, <strong>the</strong> governor’s not<br />

making <strong>the</strong> kind of headway<br />

he thought he would. <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

activists deserve <strong>the</strong> credit<br />

<strong>for</strong> that.<br />

For one, a plan to privatize<br />

Ohio’s rest areas didn’t turn<br />

up one bid. ODOT put out<br />

a “Request For Proposal”<br />

<strong>for</strong> six of <strong>the</strong> 59 rest areas it<br />

is seeking to privatize--but<br />

didn’t have one taker. We<br />

know it’s a bad deal <strong>for</strong> business,<br />

it’s a bad deal <strong>for</strong> jobs<br />

and it’s a bad deal <strong>for</strong> motorists.<br />

Now, even <strong>the</strong> private<br />

sector believes it’s a bad deal<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>m (page 12).<br />

This is not <strong>the</strong> only time<br />

Kasich tried to sell off state<br />

assets without getting anyone<br />

to bite. While he eventually<br />

got Corrections Corporations<br />

of America to buy <strong>the</strong><br />

Conneaut prison, <strong>the</strong> original<br />

proposal was to sell off five<br />

prisons. But only one private<br />

company took <strong>the</strong> bait.<br />

That’s because this<br />

union and our<br />

activists have<br />

kept up <strong>the</strong> pressure.<br />

Even though,<br />

public sector<br />

workers continue<br />

to suffer unprecedented<br />

attacks,<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> is out <strong>the</strong>re<br />

fighting--in <strong>the</strong><br />

news media, in <strong>the</strong><br />

courtroom and on Main<br />

Street to keep quality<br />

public services.<br />

We’ve filed a lawsuit<br />

against <strong>the</strong> state on behalf<br />

of <strong>the</strong> families <strong>for</strong> privatizing<br />

<strong>the</strong> two prisons (page<br />

2). We’ve been down at <strong>the</strong><br />

Statehouse fighting <strong>for</strong> your<br />

pensions, and on <strong>the</strong> street<br />

corners around <strong>the</strong> state getting<br />

petitions signed <strong>for</strong> fairer<br />

legislative districts (pages<br />

8-9).<br />

Anti-labor legislators have<br />

been drooling at <strong>the</strong> chance<br />

to cut our pension plans and<br />

turn <strong>the</strong>m into 401K-type<br />

plans. But now, <strong>the</strong> State<br />

Senate has finally passed a<br />

measure (and <strong>the</strong> House will<br />

be taking it up soon) based<br />

on <strong>the</strong> recommendations of<br />

<strong>the</strong> pension board of trustees<br />

that will enable us to keep<br />

our defined benefit plan.<br />

“It's only in<br />

Solidarity that we<br />

can continue to have<br />

wins <strong>for</strong> working<br />

families. ”<br />

~ <strong>OCSEA</strong> Pres.<br />

Christopher Mabe<br />

And as of this writing,<br />

Voters First Ohio has submitted<br />

more than 750,000 signatures<br />

to get a measure on <strong>the</strong><br />

fall ballot that will make <strong>the</strong><br />

redistricting process fair and<br />

citizen-driven.<br />

We also have an <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

member who took <strong>the</strong><br />

ultimate bullet. Charlie<br />

Daniels, a Correction Officer<br />

at Belmont Correctional<br />

Institution, decided to<br />

run <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ohio House of<br />

Representatives, even knowing<br />

he would lose<br />

his job. But state employees<br />

shouldn’t be treated as<br />

second-<strong>class</strong> citizens. Just<br />

because you work <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

State, doesn't mean you give<br />

up your voice. So we are<br />

fighting <strong>for</strong> all <strong>the</strong> Charlie<br />

Daniels’s of this state, too,<br />

because it’s <strong>the</strong> right thing<br />

to do.<br />

Finally, <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> first time in<br />

30 years, our affiliate organization,<br />

AFSCME, voted in a<br />

new International President.<br />

Ohio native Lee Saunders<br />

was tapped to lead this great<br />

union and we couldn’t be<br />

more proud.<br />

None of this would be<br />

possible without your ef<strong>for</strong>ts<br />

and without us all working<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r. It’s only in<br />

Solidarity that we can continue<br />

to have wins <strong>for</strong> working<br />

families.<br />

WILLIAMS<br />

DEFIANCE<br />

PAULDING<br />

VAN WERT<br />

MERCER<br />

DARKE<br />

FULTON<br />

HENRY<br />

PUTNAM<br />

AUGLAIZE<br />

SHELBY<br />

MIAMI<br />

CLARK<br />

HAMILTON<br />

LOCAL<br />

Ohio Civil Service<br />

Employees Association<br />

ALLEN<br />

LOGAN<br />

LUCAS<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

DISTRICT 1<br />

WOOD<br />

HANCOCK<br />

HARDIN<br />

CHAMPAIGN<br />

UNION<br />

DELAWARE<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

DISTRICT 6<br />

MADISON<br />

FAYETTE<br />

OTTAWA<br />

SANDUSKY<br />

SENECA<br />

HOLMES<br />

CARROLL<br />

JEFFER-<br />

TUSCARAWAS<br />

SON<br />

HARRISON<br />

COSHOCTON<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

DISTRICT 5<br />

GUERNSEY BELMONT<br />

MUSKINGUM<br />

ASH-<br />

WYANDOT CRAWFORD<br />

LAND<br />

RICHLAND<br />

MARION<br />

FRANKLIN<br />

ROSS<br />

ERIE<br />

MORROW<br />

HURON<br />

FAIRFIELD<br />

KNOX<br />

LICKING<br />

HOCKING<br />

VINTON<br />

PERRY<br />

ATHENS<br />

HIGHLAND<br />

MEIGS<br />

PIKE<br />

JACKSON<br />

CLERMONT<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

DISTRICT 9<br />

BROWN<br />

GALLIA<br />

ADAMS<br />

SCIOTO<br />

AFL-CIO<br />

President<br />

Christopher Mabe<br />

Vice President<br />

Kelvin Jones<br />

Secretary-Treasurer Kathleen M. Stewart<br />

Board of Directors:<br />

District 1: Kate Callahan (ODOT),<br />

Shawn Gruber (DR&C), Jerry Lugo (ODJFS)<br />

District 2: Carrie Johnson (MH),<br />

Michelle Hunter (MR)<br />

District 3: Doug Mosier (DR&C), Bob Valentine<br />

(ODOT)<br />

District 4: Bruce Thompson (DYS),<br />

Doug Sollitto (DR&C)<br />

District 5: Cindy Bobbitt (ODJFS), Vacancy<br />

District 6: Laura Morris (Health), Shirley Hubbert<br />

(BWC), Louella Jeter (ODPS), Debra King-<br />

Hutchinson (ODJFS), Annie Person (DYS),<br />

Tim Roberts (DR&C), Amy Turner (ODOT),<br />

John Anthony (Taxation) Gerard "Rocky" Jolly<br />

(School <strong>for</strong> Blind), Vacancy<br />

District 7: James LaRocca (Lottery),<br />

Lawrence McKissic (BWC)<br />

District 8: A.J. Frame (DR&C), Beth Sheets<br />

(ODMR/DD)<br />

District 9: Mal Corey (DR&C), Jeff Condo (OVH)<br />

Retiree Representative: Ron Alexander<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Headquarters:<br />

390 Worthington Road, Ste. A, Westerville, Oh<br />

43082<br />

Live Operator: 614-865-4700 or 800-969-4702<br />

Automated Dial: 614-865-2678 or 800-266-<br />

5615<br />

Fax: 614-865-4777<br />

Web site: www.ocsea.org<br />

Customer Service: 888-<strong>OCSEA</strong>-11<br />

(888-627-3211)<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Public Employee Quarterly (USPS<br />

010-112) is published quarterly <strong>for</strong> $6 by <strong>the</strong><br />

Ohio Civil Service Employees Association,<br />

390 Worthington Road, Suite A, Westerville,<br />

OH 43082. Periodicals postage paid at<br />

Westerville, OH and additional mailing offices.<br />

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to <strong>the</strong><br />

Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, 390<br />

Worthington Road, Suite A, Westerville, OH<br />

43082.<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Public Employee Quarterly is produced<br />

by <strong>the</strong> <strong>OCSEA</strong> Communications Department:<br />

Sally Meckling, Director; Deirdre O’Neill-Wedig,<br />

Pattie Boy, Ana Goodlet, Associates.<br />

To update email and o<strong>the</strong>r contact in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

go to:<br />

www.ocsea.org/update or call 800-969-4702.<br />

LAKE<br />

ASHTABULA<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

DISTRICT 7<br />

CUYAHOGA<br />

GEAUGA<br />

TRUMBULL<br />

LORAIN<br />

PORTAGE<br />

MEDINA<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

SUMMIT DISTRICT 4<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

DISTRICT 3<br />

MAHONING<br />

WAYNE<br />

MONT-<br />

PREBLE GOMERY<br />

GREENE<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

DISTRICT 2<br />

BUTLER<br />

WARREN CLINTON<br />

MORGAN<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

DISTRICT 8<br />

NOBLE<br />

STARK<br />

WASHINGTON<br />

MONROE<br />

COLUMBIANA<br />

LAWRENCE<br />

6 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


Lawsuit filed <strong>for</strong> fair<br />

elections in Ohio<br />

The Obama <strong>for</strong> America<br />

campaign, <strong>the</strong> Democratic<br />

National Committee and <strong>the</strong><br />

Ohio Democratic Party have<br />

filed a lawsuit against an Ohio<br />

law that eliminates in-person<br />

early voting <strong>the</strong> last three<br />

days be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong> election.<br />

Proponents are calling <strong>the</strong> law<br />

unconstitutional.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> last presidential<br />

election, nearly 100,000<br />

Ohioans voted in-person<br />

during <strong>the</strong> last three days leading<br />

up to <strong>the</strong> election. House<br />

Bill 194, <strong>the</strong> voter suppression<br />

bill, was later revamped<br />

and passed by <strong>the</strong> General<br />

Assembly as Senate Bill 295,<br />

in an ef<strong>for</strong>t to avoid a ballot<br />

referendum. The new law<br />

continues to prohibit in-person<br />

voting in <strong>the</strong> three days prior<br />

to <strong>the</strong> Nov. 6 election.<br />

This is <strong>the</strong> first of many<br />

anticipated lawsuits by <strong>the</strong><br />

campaign to speak out against<br />

nationwide voter suppression.<br />

AT COLUMBUS CREW<br />

STADIUM<br />

Sat. Sept. 29<br />

Columbus Crew VS.<br />

Philadelphia Union<br />

Sat. Sept. 29<br />

7:30 p.m.<br />

Participants Will Receive:<br />

Special Ticket Offer<br />

• $23 Lower Sideline seats ($9 off of face value)<br />

• $19 Upper Sideline seats ($8 off of face value)<br />

• $15 offer <strong>for</strong> groups of 20 or more!!<br />

• Reserved Seating <strong>for</strong> all <strong>OCSEA</strong> members and <strong>the</strong>ir families in <strong>the</strong><br />

same area<br />

Post game Kick<br />

• All children (18 and under) will get to come out on <strong>the</strong> field and<br />

try a penalty kick after <strong>the</strong> game.<br />

to buy your discount tickets go to<br />

ocsea.org/extras<br />

CCC kicks off Sept. 5<br />

Giving to charity is easy<br />

through participation in<br />

<strong>the</strong> statewide Combined<br />

Charitable Campaign. The<br />

workplace giving campaign<br />

kicks off Sept. 5 and runs<br />

through Oct. 19. The CCC is<br />

a joint labor and management<br />

initiative.<br />

Each year, state employees<br />

raise millions of dollars <strong>for</strong><br />

charities through voluntary<br />

payroll deduction and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

fundraising activities <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

CCC.<br />

To learn more about this<br />

year’s campaign and to download<br />

a CCC Pledge Form, go to<br />

das.ohio.gov/hrd/ccc.<br />

SAVE<br />

T H E<br />

DAT E:<br />

2012<br />

Conference<br />

September 2012<br />

S M T W T F S<br />

1<br />

2 3 4 5 6 7 8<br />

9 10 11 12 13 14 15<br />

16 17 18 19 20 21 22<br />

23 24 25 26 27 28 29<br />

30<br />

The 2012 <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

Steward Conference<br />

will be held on Sept. 29,<br />

2012 at <strong>the</strong> Hyatt<br />

Convention Center in<br />

downtown Columbus.<br />

To register, contact<br />

Judi Ayers, Education Dept.<br />

at 800-266-5615, ext. 2634.<br />

Or register online at<br />

ocsea.org/stewards<br />

and watch <strong>for</strong> more updates.<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 7


PEOPLE<br />

POLITICIANS<br />

Voters First volunteers file 750,000 signatures<br />

to put redistricting fix on <strong>the</strong> ballot<br />

What would Ohio<br />

be like if politicians<br />

actually had<br />

to be accountable to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

constituents? What would<br />

our state or our country<br />

look like if politicians didn’t<br />

manipulate <strong>the</strong>ir districts to<br />

get elected over and over<br />

again?<br />

“Things would be a lot<br />

more productive, that’s <strong>for</strong><br />

sure,” said <strong>OCSEA</strong> President<br />

Christopher Mabe, “We<br />

wouldn't have anti-<strong>middle</strong><br />

<strong>class</strong> bills like SB 5 pushed<br />

through despite major citizen<br />

opposition.”<br />

To change all that and<br />

put The PEOPLE in charge,<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> activists and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

Voters First volunteers<br />

across <strong>the</strong> state have hit <strong>the</strong><br />

streets, educating average<br />

Ohioans about this issue.<br />

Volunteers ga<strong>the</strong>red over<br />

750,000 signatures to get <strong>the</strong><br />

amendment on <strong>the</strong> November<br />

ballot. This includes signatures<br />

in 60 counties, exceeding <strong>the</strong><br />

required 44.<br />

Voters First is currently waiting<br />

on final word from <strong>the</strong><br />

Secretary of State as to whe<strong>the</strong>r<br />

or not <strong>the</strong> measure has <strong>the</strong><br />

required signatures to be on <strong>the</strong><br />

fall ballot.<br />

“Under <strong>the</strong> current broken<br />

system, <strong>the</strong> politicians get to<br />

retreat to <strong>the</strong> backrooms and<br />

draw <strong>the</strong> lines of <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />

districts – giving <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong><br />

power to rig districts to benefit<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves or <strong>the</strong>ir friends. It’s<br />

like letting <strong>the</strong> foxes guard <strong>the</strong><br />

henhouse – and <strong>the</strong> results have<br />

been disastrous <strong>for</strong> Ohio,” said<br />

Ann Henkener, director of<br />

<strong>the</strong> League of Woman Voters,<br />

<strong>the</strong> group backing this bipar-<br />

tisan amendment to <strong>the</strong> Ohio<br />

Constitution.<br />

Find out more, including how<br />

to volunteer and contribute at<br />

votersfirstohio.com.<br />

People, not politicians.<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> activists in Mansfield urge drivers to stop and sign<br />

<strong>the</strong> Voters First petition.<br />

Right now, politicians<br />

are <strong>the</strong> judge and jury at<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir own trial. Even <strong>the</strong><br />

biggest newspapers in<br />

Ohio agree that it’s time<br />

to change <strong>the</strong> redistricting<br />

process.<br />

The Toledo Blade:<br />

“…<strong>the</strong> right to vote is meaningless if <strong>the</strong> politicians get to<br />

choose <strong>the</strong>ir voters.”<br />

Cleveland Plain Dealer:<br />

“Ohioans know no party will ever willingly give up its own<br />

advantages. So why should voters tolerate <strong>the</strong> status quo<br />

on apportionment and congressional districting? People are<br />

entitled to expect self-sacrifice from saints, but only fools<br />

expect it from <strong>the</strong> average officeholder. And ‘average’ is<br />

exactly what many of Ohio’s state legislators, and members<br />

of Congress, are.”<br />

Youngstown Vindicator:<br />

“The system is rigged to benefit <strong>the</strong> party in power. And<br />

given today’s extreme partisanship, <strong>the</strong>re is little willingness<br />

to play fair.”<br />

Columbus Dispatch:<br />

“The Voters First amendment scares politicians because<br />

it would take away <strong>the</strong>ir power and require <strong>the</strong>m to be<br />

accountable to <strong>the</strong> broad electorate. It would help return<br />

our misplaced government to its rightful owners.”<br />

8 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


Members of <strong>the</strong> ODOT Central Office Chap. 2513 and Public<br />

Safety Chap. 2505 join toge<strong>the</strong>r to ga<strong>the</strong>r signatures.<br />

A Mount Vernon petition-signing at a local park attracts<br />

community members driving by.<br />

Gallipolis Developmental Center Chap. 2710 members<br />

sign petitions in <strong>the</strong> city park.<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> outraged!<br />

CO fired <strong>for</strong> partisan political activity<br />

On <strong>the</strong> eve of Independence<br />

Day, <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

leaders released a statement<br />

expressing <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

outrage with <strong>the</strong> firing<br />

of a state employee<br />

who had chosen to be<br />

involved in <strong>the</strong> political<br />

process. Belmont Correction<br />

Officer Charlie<br />

Daniels – who won his<br />

primary race in Ohio’s<br />

95th House District –<br />

was fired July 2 by <strong>the</strong><br />

Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation<br />

and Correction <strong>for</strong><br />

his Sou<strong>the</strong>astern Ohio<br />

District candidacy, a<br />

violation of Ohio’s “Little”<br />

Hatch Act.<br />

“Here’s a life-long<br />

public servant who<br />

believes in this country<br />

enough to not only run<br />

<strong>for</strong> political office, but<br />

also to serve in our nation’s<br />

navy and to work<br />

in a state prison, and<br />

who now is being fired<br />

despite those ef<strong>for</strong>ts<br />

and that sacrifice,”<br />

said <strong>OCSEA</strong> President<br />

Christopher Mabe.<br />

Ohio’s Little Hatch Act<br />

specifically bars <strong>class</strong>ified<br />

public employees<br />

from running <strong>for</strong> public<br />

office. The law does<br />

not, however, prevent<br />

un<strong>class</strong>ified employees<br />

from fully participating<br />

in <strong>the</strong> political process.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> Senate Bill 5<br />

battle, members of Gov.<br />

John Kasich’s cabinet<br />

took leaves of absence<br />

without any fall-out.<br />

“All we’re asking is<br />

that Mr. Daniels, a 17-<br />

year employee, have<br />

<strong>the</strong> same rights as o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

state employees who<br />

are not prevented from<br />

participating in this<br />

most basic of democratic<br />

activities,” said Mabe.<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> has endorsed<br />

Daniels [see endorsements<br />

page 4-5], who<br />

was galvanized by last<br />

year’s fight to save<br />

Ohio’s collective bargaining<br />

law. The union<br />

believes Daniels will<br />

<strong>stand</strong> up <strong>for</strong> working<br />

families at <strong>the</strong> Statehouse.<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 9


Af<strong>for</strong>dable Care Act<br />

A Victory <strong>for</strong> all Americans!<br />

Now that <strong>the</strong> U.S. Supreme Court has upheld <strong>the</strong> Af<strong>for</strong>dable<br />

Care Act in its entirety, it’s time to move past <strong>the</strong> infighting<br />

and highlight <strong>the</strong> real benefits that will come about as<br />

a result of this health care re<strong>for</strong>m. That's according to a recent Kaiser<br />

Family Foundation poll that has found 56 percent of Americans are<br />

ready to move on and let <strong>the</strong> law take effect.<br />

Here’s what <strong>the</strong> Af<strong>for</strong>dable Care Act will mean <strong>for</strong> Americans:<br />

Access to health insurance <strong>for</strong> nearly 32 million<br />

Americans and lower premiums.<br />

Ability <strong>for</strong> businesses and individuals to<br />

purchase comprehensive coverage from a<br />

regulated market – which means less money<br />

in insurance companies’ pockets and more<br />

in yours.<br />

No medical discrimination based on<br />

pre-existing conditions.<br />

Investments in women’s health and provisions<br />

that prohibit insurers from charging women<br />

more than men <strong>for</strong> preventative services.<br />

Young adults will be able to stay on <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

parents’ health care plans through age 26.<br />

Closes <strong>the</strong> donut hole <strong>for</strong> seniors. Discounts <strong>for</strong><br />

seniors on brand-name drugs.<br />

Af<strong>for</strong>dable health care <strong>for</strong> lower- and <strong>middle</strong>income<br />

Americans (up to 400 percent of <strong>the</strong><br />

federal poverty line) and coverage <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

sickest Americans.<br />

Tax credits <strong>for</strong> small businesses that<br />

offer insurance.<br />

As a mo<strong>the</strong>r of three daughters, Mansfield<br />

Correction Officer Debbie Davis is glad that <strong>the</strong><br />

Af<strong>for</strong>dable Care Act is looking out <strong>for</strong> women,<br />

including prohibiting insurance companies <strong>for</strong><br />

charging more simply because <strong>the</strong>y are women.<br />

A healthy 22-year old woman, <strong>the</strong> exact age<br />

of one of Debbie’s daughters, can currently be<br />

charged 150 percent more <strong>for</strong> care than a man<br />

<strong>the</strong> same age. Debbie is also relieved that she<br />

has <strong>the</strong> option to cover her girls under her health<br />

insurance through <strong>the</strong> age of 26.<br />

So you think ACA is all about requiring<br />

Americans to buy health insurance?<br />

According to Kaiser Health News, <strong>the</strong>re<br />

are hundreds of pages in <strong>the</strong> ACA<br />

legislation that touch on a variety of health<br />

subjects beyond health care, including:<br />

Assistance <strong>for</strong> businesses that provide health<br />

benefits to early retirees.<br />

While <strong>the</strong>re will be no changes to <strong>OCSEA</strong> members’ health care<br />

as a result, <strong>OCSEA</strong> is proud to have been working <strong>for</strong> years to make<br />

sure that af<strong>for</strong>dable health care is within every American’s reach, said<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Joint Health Care Committee member Debra King-Hutchinson.<br />

“It’s important that everyone have access to insurance coverage,”<br />

said King-Hutchinson. “Sharing <strong>the</strong> costs will bring health care costs<br />

down <strong>for</strong> all Americans. It’s a win-win <strong>for</strong> working families – with and<br />

without health insurance.”<br />

Postpartum<br />

Depression<br />

Privacy Breaks <strong>for</strong><br />

nursing mo<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

Oral health Education<br />

and Regulation<br />

Breast Cancer<br />

Awareness<br />

10 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


AFSCME delegates<br />

tap Saunders<br />

to lead<br />

Los Angeles 2012<br />

Delegates to <strong>the</strong><br />

American Federation<br />

of State, County<br />

and Municipal Employees 40 th<br />

International Convention voted<br />

in June to replace retiring-<br />

President Gerald McEntee<br />

with a native Ohioan and<br />

<strong>for</strong>mer <strong>OCSEA</strong> member. Former<br />

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer<br />

Lee Saunders was picked<br />

to lead <strong>the</strong> union of 1.6 million<br />

members of AFSCME. His<br />

running mate, Laura Reyes,<br />

from AFSCME Local 3930, of<br />

<strong>the</strong> United Domestic Workers<br />

(UDW), was elected AFSCME<br />

Secretary-Treasurer<br />

Saunders was endorsed by all<br />

three AFSCME affiliates in Ohio,<br />

including <strong>OCSEA</strong>.<br />

“Saunders has <strong>the</strong> skills and<br />

<strong>the</strong> experience to lead. He<br />

rolled up his sleeves during our<br />

Senate Bill 5 fight in Ohio and<br />

he’ll roll up his sleeves working<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>middle</strong> <strong>class</strong> every day.<br />

We are committed to working<br />

with President Saunders<br />

to move this union <strong>for</strong>ward.<br />

It is our belief he will bring us<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r and that AFSCME will<br />

be a strong, united front <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

challenges ahead,” said <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

President Christopher Mabe,<br />

who gave Saunders’ seconding<br />

speech.<br />

In related AFSCME<br />

Convention news, President<br />

Mabe was elected as one of<br />

35 AFSCME International Vice<br />

Presidents, and <strong>OCSEA</strong> was<br />

one of six locals nationally to<br />

receive an award <strong>for</strong> signing up<br />

10 percent of its membership<br />

<strong>for</strong> AFSCME’s PEOPLE political<br />

action committee.<br />

Lee Saunders waves to <strong>the</strong> crowd after announcing his bid <strong>for</strong><br />

AFSCME International President. (Photo courtesy of Joe Weidner)<br />

(Above) AFSCME Pres. Gerald McEntee gives his<br />

final address at <strong>the</strong> AFSCME Convention. McEntee<br />

headed AFSCME <strong>for</strong> 30 years. (Photo courtesy of<br />

Joe Weidner)<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Pres. Chris Mabe gives <strong>the</strong> seconding speech to elect<br />

Lee Saunders as <strong>the</strong> next AFSCME International President.<br />

(Photo courtesy of Joe Weidner)<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 11


This isn’t <strong>the</strong> first time activists<br />

at <strong>the</strong> Mount Vernon<br />

Developmental Center<br />

have had to deal with downsizing at<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir facility. Developmental Centers<br />

around <strong>the</strong> state have been targeted<br />

<strong>for</strong> cutbacks.<br />

But until now, job loss had come<br />

only through attrition. Now, <strong>the</strong><br />

brutal cut of 30 <strong>OCSEA</strong> bargaining<br />

unit staff not only puts vulnerable<br />

individuals at risk, it also proves<br />

that this administration is after one<br />

thing and one thing only: cutting <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>middle</strong> <strong>class</strong>.<br />

Many of <strong>the</strong> targeted full-time<br />

employees will be made to bump<br />

into lower paid, part-time positions,<br />

making <strong>the</strong>ir health care pro-rated.<br />

“This is an obvious attempt to<br />

reduce <strong>the</strong> pay and benefits of fulltime<br />

employees,” said <strong>OCSEA</strong> MH/<br />

DD/OVH Assembly President Jeana<br />

Campolo, who’s a Therapeutic<br />

Program Worker at MVDC. “This is<br />

not what this community is about –<br />

lowering <strong>the</strong> <strong>stand</strong>ard of living <strong>for</strong><br />

<strong>middle</strong>-income folks and making<br />

health care unaf<strong>for</strong>dable.”<br />

“According to <strong>the</strong> Kasich administration,<br />

Ohio’s Rainy Day Fund has<br />

plenty of money,” said Campolo.<br />

“With resources like that, we<br />

shouldn’t be cutting crucial state services<br />

<strong>for</strong> people in need, nor eliminating<br />

full-time jobs. I thought this<br />

was <strong>the</strong> ‘jobs’ governor.”<br />

Mt. Vernon DC has already been<br />

downsized by nearly 100 individuals<br />

in <strong>the</strong> last four years. The census<br />

at <strong>the</strong> center <strong>stand</strong>s at 122, but it’s<br />

anticipated it will reduce to 112 by<br />

next summer.<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> leader<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Dept. of<br />

Developmental<br />

Disabilities, Jeana<br />

Campolo recently<br />

spoke out to local<br />

news media about<br />

how downsizing<br />

puts vulnerable<br />

individuals at risk.<br />

Privatization frenzy: ODOT jobs under attack<br />

You’ve heard <strong>the</strong> ODOT Travel Counselors<br />

phrase, “everything located at 12 rest areas around<br />

but <strong>the</strong> kitchen sink”? <strong>the</strong> state were <strong>the</strong> latest ODOT<br />

That’s what’s happening at <strong>the</strong> service in line <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> privatization<br />

ax….that is, until <strong>the</strong> gov-<br />

Ohio Dept. of Transportation<br />

when it comes to privatization. ernor figured out how vital <strong>the</strong>y<br />

It appears ODOT wants to privatize<br />

everything – including <strong>the</strong> In<strong>for</strong>mation Center (TIC) in<br />

are. An incident at <strong>the</strong> Travel<br />

kitchen sink!<br />

Bowling Green caught <strong>the</strong><br />

attention of Governor Kasich<br />

and has seemed to have put <strong>the</strong><br />

“I was<br />

just doing<br />

my job.”<br />

~ Henry Vento<br />

ODOT Travel<br />

Counselor<br />

ODOT's Henry Vento<br />

recently saved <strong>the</strong><br />

lives of two young<br />

women at a NW Ohio<br />

rest area.<br />

privatization plan on hold – <strong>for</strong><br />

now.<br />

Travel Counselor Henry<br />

Vento thwarted <strong>the</strong> human<br />

trafficking and kidnapping of<br />

two young girls who showed<br />

up at a TIC this year, which<br />

prompted <strong>the</strong> governor to recognize<br />

Vento <strong>for</strong> his heroism<br />

at a ceremony. “Without you<br />

[Vento], we have two girls who<br />

may have lost <strong>the</strong>ir lives,” said<br />

Governor Kasich.<br />

What this administration<br />

did not realize in <strong>the</strong> midst<br />

of <strong>the</strong>ir privatization frenzy is<br />

that Travel Centers offer more<br />

than just maps and brochures<br />

to Ohio motorists, said Kate<br />

Callahan, an <strong>OCSEA</strong> Board of<br />

Directors member who works<br />

along side Vento. “TICs offer<br />

a safe place and dedicated<br />

employees who care about<br />

what’s happening in <strong>the</strong>ir rest<br />

areas, giving back to <strong>the</strong>ir communities<br />

and <strong>the</strong> Ohioans <strong>the</strong>y<br />

serve.” said Callahan.<br />

In addition to <strong>the</strong> TICs, parts,<br />

rest area upkeep, and heavy<br />

equipment training are also<br />

on <strong>the</strong> privatization chopping<br />

block. ODOT has already privatized<br />

emergency roadside assistance<br />

and attempted to contract<br />

out its sign shop -- but failed<br />

miserably when it was discovered<br />

ODOT employees could do<br />

it more efficiently.<br />

“Henry is just ano<strong>the</strong>r example<br />

of ODOT employees doing<br />

something better and safer,”<br />

said ODOT Assembly President<br />

Gary Apanasewicz. “The<br />

question is: when will ODOT<br />

learn?”<br />

12 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


Award winning ef<strong>for</strong>ts<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> can’t spend dues money on <strong>the</strong>ir political work,<br />

so a political action committee, called PEOPLE, takes<br />

voluntary donations to get labor-friendly candidates<br />

elected. <strong>OCSEA</strong> was one of only six winners across <strong>the</strong> country<br />

honored at <strong>the</strong> AFSCME International Convention in June<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir work raising money <strong>for</strong> AFSCME’s PEOPLE PAC. The<br />

union received a national PEOPLE MVP award <strong>for</strong> Out<strong>stand</strong>ing<br />

Achievement. The honor comes off <strong>the</strong> heels of a revamped<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> PEOPLE program, which includes new <strong>OCSEA</strong>-branded<br />

merchandise and <strong>the</strong> creation of a chapter PEOPLE Captains<br />

program.<br />

The fight against Senate Bill 5 nearly drained <strong>the</strong> union coffers,<br />

but thanks to activists stepping up to <strong>the</strong> plate, participation<br />

in <strong>OCSEA</strong>’s PAC is growing across all agencies, attracting more<br />

members and raising more money than ever be<strong>for</strong>e. <strong>OCSEA</strong> has<br />

been working hard to identify PEOPLE Captains in every chapter<br />

and increase PEOPLE visibility on <strong>the</strong> chapter level.<br />

“Giving ownership to <strong>the</strong> chapters builds trust and familiarity,”<br />

said Montgomery Developmental Center PEOPLE Captain<br />

Richard Garrison. This is done by identifying PEOPLE Captains<br />

– local leaders in <strong>the</strong> ef<strong>for</strong>t – to spread <strong>the</strong> word about how<br />

politics impacts <strong>the</strong> job of every <strong>OCSEA</strong> member. “Members are<br />

more likely to contribute when <strong>the</strong>re’s a familiar face staffing <strong>the</strong><br />

PEOPLE table,” said Garrison.<br />

Interested in becoming a PEOPLE Captain or hosting a local<br />

event? Visit ocsea.org/PEOPLE<br />

A proud new PEOPLE contributor, Shawnte' Williams, ODJFS<br />

Central Office Chap. 2599, shows off her jacket at a health fair<br />

in May.<br />

Montgomery DC Chap.<br />

5712 hosts a PEOPLE<br />

drive, signing up<br />

nearly a third of<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir chapter. Bonita<br />

Ruiz signs up <strong>for</strong><br />

PEOPLE <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> first<br />

time.<br />

Kelly Rammell, RSC Chap. 2538, increases his contribution<br />

to PEOPLE, <strong>OCSEA</strong>’s political PAC, to support candidates<br />

who support public employees.<br />

Contribute $10 per pay and get this<br />

cool new <strong>OCSEA</strong> PEOPLE jacket!<br />

New PEOPLE contributors who sign up at <strong>the</strong> $10 level<br />

will receive <strong>the</strong> new <strong>OCSEA</strong>-branded fleece jacket.<br />

PEOPLE members who increase <strong>the</strong>ir contribution to<br />

$10 will get <strong>the</strong> new jacket, as will PEOPLE members<br />

who are already at $10 and increase <strong>the</strong>ir contribution<br />

by $5.<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 13


2012 Winners<br />

While <strong>OCSEA</strong> administers<br />

<strong>the</strong> union’s<br />

scholarship program,<br />

<strong>the</strong> Les Best Scholarship, an outside<br />

panel of independent judges<br />

makes <strong>the</strong> award determinations<br />

to ensure fairness and impartiality.<br />

This year’s distinguished<br />

panel of judges included Petee<br />

Talley, Secretary-Treasurer of <strong>the</strong><br />

Ohio AFL-CIO and national board<br />

member of <strong>the</strong> A. Philip Randolph<br />

Institute; Stephanie Sanders,<br />

Associate Director of Enrollment<br />

<strong>for</strong> The Ohio State University,<br />

who oversees OSU’s competitive<br />

admissions policies; and Jill<br />

McNaughton, retired guidance<br />

counselor from Grandview Heights<br />

High School. This is <strong>the</strong> third year<br />

this distinguished panel has judged<br />

<strong>the</strong> contest.<br />

The Les Best judges score each<br />

applicant using a point factoring<br />

system that takes into account<br />

<strong>the</strong> following: For <strong>the</strong> Members<br />

and Spouses categories, judges<br />

score based on 1) an essay and<br />

2) community service. For <strong>the</strong><br />

Dependents category, <strong>the</strong> point<br />

factoring system is based on 1) an<br />

essay, 2) community service and<br />

extra curricular activities, and 3)<br />

grades. Scores from each judge are<br />

added toge<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>the</strong>n averaged.<br />

The top score-getters from each<br />

category are awarded <strong>the</strong> scholarships.<br />

“During <strong>the</strong>se hard economic<br />

times, we must do everything we<br />

can to support families who are<br />

struggling to make ends meet. The<br />

Les Best Scholarship program is<br />

one way we do that,” said <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

Board of Directors’ member Doug<br />

Mosier, whose committee, <strong>the</strong><br />

Membership and Public Affairs<br />

Committee, oversees <strong>the</strong> program.<br />

“Every year, we get some<br />

sensational applicants. We wish we<br />

could give more,” said Mosier.<br />

"Thank you so much <strong>for</strong> awarding me<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>OCSEA</strong> Les Best Scholarship! I really<br />

do appreciate <strong>the</strong> award, because it<br />

takes a huge financial stress off of me,<br />

with college being so expensive!"<br />

~Rachel Mikolay<br />

2012 Les Best Scholarship winner<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Les Best Scholarship Judges <strong>for</strong> 2012<br />

Stephanie Sanders<br />

Associate Director of<br />

Enrollment Services,<br />

The Ohio State University<br />

Jill McNaughton<br />

Guidance Counselor,<br />

Grandview Heights<br />

High School<br />

Petee Talley<br />

Secretary-Treasurer<br />

Ohio AFL-CIO<br />

14 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


Member College<br />

Bridget Smith<br />

Bridget is employed by<br />

<strong>the</strong> Ohio Dept. of Health.<br />

She is enrolled at Franklin<br />

University, seeking a<br />

degree in Emergency<br />

Management.<br />

Karen Taylor<br />

Karen is employed at <strong>the</strong><br />

Ohio Dept. of Job and<br />

Family Services.<br />

She is enrolled at Indiana<br />

Wesleyan University,<br />

majoring in Business.<br />

Brennan Silvas<br />

Brennan is employed<br />

at <strong>the</strong> Ohio Veterans<br />

Home. He is enrolled<br />

at Terra Community<br />

College in Fremont<br />

Ohio, with a minor in<br />

Electrical Engineering.<br />

Spouse College<br />

DeeAnn<br />

Reichenbach<br />

DeeAnn is employed<br />

at <strong>the</strong> Ohio Bureau of<br />

Workers’ Compensation.<br />

She is earning her<br />

Masters in Business<br />

Administration at<br />

Franklin University.<br />

Shawn Boller<br />

Shawn is employed at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Marion Correctional<br />

Institution. He is seeking<br />

his A.A.S. in Welding<br />

Technology at Terra<br />

Community College.<br />

Candis Nolletti<br />

Candis is studying to<br />

become a Registered Nurse<br />

at Ashland University. Her<br />

husband, Jared Nolletti, is<br />

employed by <strong>the</strong> Ohio Dept.<br />

of Transportation.<br />

Amy Pamler<br />

Amy is studying Business<br />

Management at Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />

State Community College.<br />

Her husband, John Palmer,<br />

is employed by <strong>the</strong> Bureau<br />

of Workers’ Compensation.<br />

Simone Burley<br />

Simone is seeking a degree<br />

in Arts and Art History at<br />

Columbus State Community<br />

College and The Ohio State<br />

University. Her husband,<br />

Kenneth Burley, is employed at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Dept. of Rehabilitation and<br />

Corrections.<br />

Dependent College/Vocational<br />

Melissa Lanzer<br />

Melissa is studying<br />

Corrections at Lorain County<br />

Community College. Her<br />

husband, Jonathan Lanzer,<br />

is employed at <strong>the</strong> Lorain<br />

Correctional Institution.<br />

Amelia Malone<br />

Amy is a 2012 graduate of<br />

Oakwood High School.<br />

She will attend <strong>the</strong><br />

University of Maryland,<br />

College Park, studying<br />

Economics. Her fa<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

Richard Malone, is<br />

employed by <strong>the</strong> Ohio<br />

Industrial Commission.<br />

Rachel Mikolay<br />

Rachael graduated from<br />

Canfield High School.<br />

She will be attending<br />

<strong>the</strong> University of Akron,<br />

majoring in Biology. Her<br />

fa<strong>the</strong>r, Joseph Mikolay,<br />

is employed by <strong>the</strong> Ohio<br />

Industrial Commission.<br />

Victoria Nabors<br />

Victoria is a 2012 graduate<br />

of Eastwood High School<br />

and will attend The Ohio<br />

State University. She will<br />

major in ma<strong>the</strong>matics. Her<br />

fa<strong>the</strong>r, Ronald Nabors, is<br />

employed by <strong>the</strong> Ohio<br />

Environmental Protection<br />

Agency.<br />

Olivia Hoylman<br />

A graduate of Dublin<br />

Coffman High School,<br />

Olivia will attend<br />

Pennsylvania State<br />

University, where she<br />

will major in Biomedical<br />

Engineering. Her mo<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

Barbara Holyman, is<br />

employed by <strong>the</strong> Ohio<br />

Industrial Commission.<br />

Katelyn Price<br />

Katelyn is a 2012 graduate<br />

of Fairfield High School<br />

and will attend The Ohio<br />

State University, with a<br />

major in Animal Sciences.<br />

Her mo<strong>the</strong>r, Debra Price,<br />

is employed by <strong>the</strong> Ohio<br />

Bureau of Workers’<br />

Compensation.<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 15


New committee hosts <strong>OCSEA</strong> retiree event<br />

A<br />

group of <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

retirees has recently<br />

begun meeting to<br />

recharge <strong>the</strong>ir mission and get<br />

retirees more involved in politics,<br />

pensions and o<strong>the</strong>r retiree<br />

issues.<br />

“With a record-breaking<br />

number of state workers<br />

retiring, we need to keep our<br />

retirees engaged in <strong>the</strong> fight<br />

over public services,” said Ron<br />

Alexander, who heads up<br />

<strong>the</strong> new committee and is also<br />

<strong>the</strong> Retiree Representatives on<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong>’s statewide Board of<br />

Directors. “Because <strong>the</strong>y don’t<br />

have <strong>the</strong> same restrictions<br />

under <strong>the</strong> Little Hatch Act with<br />

respect to politics, retirees are<br />

more easily mobilized and are<br />

free to work with candidates<br />

that support us,” he said.<br />

Some retirees are already getting<br />

<strong>the</strong> message that <strong>the</strong> war<br />

on public workers is far from<br />

over and, in fact, has intensified.<br />

Loretta Conkle, an <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

District 5 retiree, was recently<br />

featured in a local paper<br />

because of her ef<strong>for</strong>ts collecting<br />

signatures to get a redistrict-<br />

More than 100 retirees pack<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong>’s Union Hall <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

first <strong>OCSEA</strong> retiree luncheon.<br />

ing measure on <strong>the</strong> ballot (see<br />

pages 8-9). She did <strong>the</strong> same<br />

thing last year during <strong>the</strong> SB 5<br />

fight. “Right now politicians<br />

rig <strong>the</strong>ir legislative districts so<br />

<strong>the</strong>y’ll keep getting re-elected.<br />

We want <strong>the</strong> power back in <strong>the</strong><br />

people’s hands. That way, we<br />

can keep bills like Senate Bill<br />

5 from ever happening again,”<br />

said Conkle.<br />

Members of <strong>the</strong> <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

retiree committee recently<br />

hosted a luncheon to reach out<br />

and educate retirees about <strong>the</strong><br />

ongoing battles against public<br />

workers. The committee was<br />

hoping to have 50 people<br />

attend. More than 100 retirees<br />

showed up.<br />

“This is <strong>the</strong> pilot. Based on<br />

its success, we’d like to develop<br />

events like this on a regional<br />

basis,” said Jean Fightmaster,<br />

a long time <strong>OCSEA</strong> activist<br />

and retiree from <strong>the</strong> Bureau<br />

Retirees<br />

Chair of <strong>the</strong> <strong>OCSEA</strong> Retiree Committee, Ron Alexander, kicks off<br />

<strong>the</strong> first-ever retiree luncheon.<br />

of Workers’ Compensation.<br />

“Retirees are ready <strong>for</strong> it,"<br />

The <strong>OCSEA</strong> Retiree<br />

Committee luncheon was put<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r with donations from<br />

<strong>the</strong> local 1184 AFSCME retiree<br />

chapter ($100), District 6<br />

($200) and District 5 ($300).<br />

Retirees look over materials regarding changes to OPERS during<br />

a presentation at <strong>the</strong> luncheon.<br />

Members of <strong>the</strong> <strong>OCSEA</strong> Retiree Committee<br />

(from l) Tess Ide, Dave Baily, Mary Anderson<br />

and Jean Fightmaster <strong>stand</strong> to be recognized<br />

at <strong>the</strong> <strong>OCSEA</strong> retiree luncheon. Not pictured are<br />

Francis Henderson and Reita Smith.<br />

16 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


SPOTLIGHT<br />

For Next Waver Jason<br />

Brogley, Lebanon<br />

Correctional Institution<br />

Chap. 8310, fighting Senate<br />

Bill 5 last year was about more<br />

than just protecting his paycheck.<br />

“Corrections Officers<br />

work hard, we put our lives on<br />

<strong>the</strong> line every day, we deserve<br />

better than that. And if you just<br />

lie down and let people take<br />

things from you, <strong>the</strong>y will win,”<br />

said Brogley.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> SB 5 fight,<br />

Brogley, his wife and <strong>the</strong>ir three<br />

children were heavily involved,<br />

going to Columbus every<br />

chance <strong>the</strong>y got, making protest<br />

signs and organizing car pools.<br />

“I didn’t ask my kids to help<br />

out, it was totally <strong>the</strong>ir choice.<br />

They wanted to put stickers on<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir shirts and wear <strong>the</strong>m to<br />

school. My youngest son would<br />

tell everyone he met to vote<br />

No on SB 5. It was a really great<br />

feeling to do that as a family and<br />

Jason Brogley and family<br />

Chapter 8310<br />

Lebanon Correctional Institution<br />

go to those protests,” said<br />

Brogley.<br />

Brogley grew up in a<br />

union family, with many<br />

relatives working at General<br />

Motors in Youngstown.<br />

He is passionate about<br />

<strong>the</strong> union movement and<br />

wants o<strong>the</strong>r Next Wavers<br />

to be as well. He is active in<br />

his chapter as a steward and<br />

runs his chapter’s Facebook<br />

page. He says that <strong>the</strong>re are<br />

many Next Wave-aged members<br />

at Lebanon Correctional<br />

Institution who he urges to get<br />

involved in <strong>the</strong>ir union. The<br />

benefits of union involvement<br />

far outweigh any obstacles that<br />

<strong>the</strong> job or obstacles management<br />

might throw at <strong>the</strong>m, says<br />

Brogley.<br />

Fall 2012 Education Calendar<br />

Designed <strong>for</strong><br />

Stewards<br />

To register <strong>for</strong> any of <strong>the</strong> following <strong>class</strong>es, call <strong>the</strong> education registration hotline at 800-266-5615, ext. 4772<br />

and follow <strong>the</strong> recorded instructions. For a list of courses, go online at ocsea.org/education.<br />

If you’d like a <strong>class</strong> <strong>for</strong> your area and don’t see one currently scheduled on <strong>the</strong> calendar, contact Pat Hammel at<br />

800-266-5615, ext. 2654 or phammel@ocsea.org to find out what types of <strong>class</strong>es are available or to schedule one <strong>for</strong><br />

your area on a just-in-time basis. Once you’ve recruited 10 people to attend a <strong>class</strong>, <strong>the</strong> <strong>class</strong> will be scheduled.<br />

Designed <strong>for</strong> all<br />

Members<br />

SEPTEMBER<br />

OCTOBER<br />

NOVEMBER<br />

THR 20<br />

Advanced Steward, 6-9 p.m.,<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />

Westerville – Rm. 195<br />

TUES 9<br />

Basic Steward Pt. 1, 6-9 p.m.,<br />

Ramada Elyria, 1825 Lorain Blvd.,<br />

Elyria<br />

THR 15<br />

FMLA Basics, 6-9 p.m.,<br />

Southgate Hotel, 2848 Southgate<br />

Parkway, Cambridge<br />

SAT 22<br />

Basic Steward Pt. 1&2, 9 a.m.-<br />

4 p.m., <strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington<br />

Rd., Westerville – Rm. 195<br />

WED 10<br />

Investigatory Interviews,<br />

6-9 p.m., Howard Johnson, 1920<br />

Roschman St., Lima<br />

SAT 17<br />

Basic Steward Pt. 1&2,<br />

9 a.m.-4 p.m., <strong>OCSEA</strong> Headquarters,<br />

390 Worthington Rd.,Westerville<br />

SAT 29<br />

Steward Conference,<br />

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Hyatt Regency,<br />

350 North High St., Columbus<br />

THR 11<br />

Basic Steward Pt. 2, 6-9 p.m.,<br />

Ramada Elyria, 1825 Lorain Blvd.,<br />

Elyria<br />

MON 19<br />

Advanced Steward, 6-9 p.m.,<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Headquarters,<br />

390 Worthington Rd., Westerville<br />

TUES 16<br />

Basic Steward Pt. 1, 6-9 p.m.,<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Headquarters,<br />

390 Worthington Rd., Westerville<br />

THR 18<br />

Basic Steward Pt. 2, 6-9 p.m.,<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> Headquarters,<br />

390 Worthington Rd., Westerville<br />

THR 25<br />

SAT 27<br />

Advanced Steward, 6-9 p.m.,<br />

Ramada Elyria, 1825 Lorain Blvd,<br />

Elyria<br />

Advanced Steward, 10 a.m.-1<br />

p.m., <strong>OCSEA</strong> Headquarters, 390<br />

Worthington Rd., Westerville<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 17


SUBORDINATE BODY MEETINGS & ELECTION NOTICES<br />

Assemblies<br />

DYS Assembly<br />

Sept 8 Nominations: 10:30-10:45 a.m.<br />

Election: 11-11:30 a.m.<br />

Runoff: 12-12:30 p.m.<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />

Westerville<br />

Elections: Pres., Vice Pres., Sec.-Treas., 4 E-Board<br />

Taxation Assembly<br />

Nov 3 Meeting: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.<br />

Districts<br />

District 8<br />

Nov 5 Meeting: 6-8 p.m.<br />

Hampton Inn-Conference Room,<br />

986 East State St., A<strong>the</strong>ns<br />

Chapters<br />

2320 - Fairfield/Perry<br />

Oct 15 Meeting: 6:30-8:30p.m.<br />

Top Hat Restaurant<br />

202 West Main St., Junction City<br />

2538 - Columbus RSC<br />

Sept 20 Meetings: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.<br />

& Oct 24 RSC - 400 E. Campus View Blvd.,<br />

Columbus<br />

2595 - Taxation<br />

Oct 18<br />

Meeting: 6-8 p.m.<br />

Northland – 1st floor main cafeteria,<br />

4485 Northland Ridge Blvd., Columbus<br />

2599 - ODJFS Central Office<br />

Oct 4<br />

Oct 10<br />

Oct 11<br />

Oct 12<br />

Oct 16<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />

Westerville<br />

Nominations: 5:30-6:30 p.m.<br />

4020 E. Fifth Ave., Rm. M146<br />

Election:<br />

7-11 a.m. 4020 E. Fifth Ave.,<br />

West Cafeteria<br />

1-4 p.m. 4200 E. Fifth Ave., Rm. G179<br />

Election:<br />

7-11 a.m. 2098 Integrity Dr N., Rm. 109<br />

1-4 p.m. 1111 E. Broad St., Rm. 112<br />

Election:<br />

7-11 a.m. State Office Tower, Rm. B1<br />

1-4 p.m. Lazarus Bldg, Rm. A401<br />

Runoff: 5-6 p.m.<br />

4020 E. Fifth Ave., Rm. M146<br />

Elections: Pres, Vice Pres, Sec, Treas.,<br />

Corresponding Sec.,5 E-Board,<br />

District (1) & Assembly (1) delegates<br />

Chapters<br />

3510 - Northwest<br />

Oct 17 Meeting: 6-8 p.m.<br />

Nominations: 7:15-7:30 p.m.<br />

Election: 7:30-7:45 p.m.<br />

Runoff: 7:45-8 p.m.<br />

Smith's Restaurant,<br />

8198 State Route 108, Wauseon<br />

Elections: Pres, Vice Pres, Sec-Treas, 4 E-Board,<br />

District (1) & Assembly (2) delegates<br />

4100 - Jefferson/Belmont<br />

Oct 3 Meeting: 4:30-6:30 p.m.<br />

Zalenksi's Restaurant<br />

547 Cadiz Rd., Wintersville<br />

4550 - Reynoldsburg<br />

Aug 28 Meeting: 5:30-7:30 p.m.<br />

Dept. of Agriculture - Consumer Lab,<br />

(western-most bldg.), Reynoldsburg<br />

4800 - Lucas<br />

Nov 3 Nominations: 10-10:15 a.m.<br />

Election: 10:15-10:30 a.m.<br />

Runoff: 10:30-10:45 a.m.<br />

UAW Union Hall<br />

1440 Bellefontaine Ave., Lima<br />

Elections: Pres., Vice Pres., Sec., Treas.,<br />

5 E-Board<br />

5700 - Montgomery<br />

Sept 26 Meetings: 5:30-7 p.m.<br />

& Oct 24 The Cultural Center,<br />

40 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton<br />

6700 - Portage<br />

Sept 13,<br />

Oct 11 &<br />

Nov 8<br />

Meetings: 6-8 p.m.<br />

Rootstown Fire Department,<br />

4152 SR 44, Rootstown<br />

7010 - ManCI<br />

Oct 15 Meeting: 6:30-8 p.m.<br />

169 Steelworkers Hall,<br />

376 W. Longview Ave., Mansfield<br />

7500 - Shelby<br />

Aug 28, Meetings: 5:30-6 p.m.<br />

Sept 25 & Quality Inn, 400 Folkerth Ave., Sidney<br />

Oct 23<br />

7600 - Stark<br />

Sept 5 Meetings: 5:30-7:30 p.m.<br />

& Nov 7 ODJFS, 402 2nd St SE, Canton<br />

7700 - Summit<br />

Sept 5 E-Board: 5:30-8 p.m.<br />

Dietz's Landing, 401 W. Turkeyfoot<br />

Lake Rd., Akron<br />

Oct 3 E-Board: 5:30-8 p.m.<br />

Otani Japanese Restaurant,<br />

1684 Merriman Rd., Akron<br />

Nov 7<br />

Sept 12<br />

& Oct 10<br />

E-Board: 5:30-8 p.m.<br />

Papa Joe's Lacomini’s,<br />

1561 Akron Peninsula Rd., Akron<br />

Meetings: 5:30-8 p.m.<br />

VFW Firestone Post 3383,<br />

690 West Waterloo Rd., Akron<br />

8320 - Warren/Greene/Clinton<br />

Sept 11 Meetings: 6-6:30p.m.<br />

& Oct 9 The Family Village Inn,<br />

144 South Main St., Waynesville<br />

Submitting A Meeting Notice<br />

Issue: Fall 2012<br />

Last Day to Submit Notice: Sept. 24, 2012<br />

Earliest 15-day Meeting Date: Nov. 12, 2012<br />

To schedule online, go to<br />

ocsea.org/meetingnotices.<br />

CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY: Per <strong>the</strong><br />

subordinate body Constitution Article VI,<br />

Section 8: “Circumstances such as receipt<br />

of workers’ compensation benefits, disability<br />

benefits, assignment to project staff, etc.<br />

may affect your eligibility to run <strong>for</strong> office in<br />

this election. If you are considering running <strong>for</strong><br />

any office, executive board, or a delegate<br />

position, please contact <strong>OCSEA</strong> central office<br />

prior to <strong>the</strong> nomination date.”<br />

SUBMISSION: Meeting and election notices<br />

should be mailed to: IT Secretary Sha Cone,<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> 390 Worthington Rd., Suite A,<br />

Westerville, OH 43082,<br />

faxed to 614-865-4032.<br />

18 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 19


Women's Conference Celebrates 30 years<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong>’s WAC<br />

WOMEN<br />

BUILDING<br />

WOMEN<br />

Retiree and founding WAC member, Jean Fightmaster, gives a rousing<br />

speech on <strong>the</strong> 30 th anniversary of <strong>the</strong> WAC Conference. “You would not<br />

be here if it weren’t <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> ones who came be<strong>for</strong>e you.”<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> members came toge<strong>the</strong>r in early June to celebrate<br />

Women Building Women at <strong>the</strong> 30 th Women’s Action<br />

Committee Conference.<br />

“Women and politics" was a major <strong>the</strong>me. <strong>OCSEA</strong>’s Director of<br />

Governmental Affairs, Emerald Hernandez, called 2012 “The<br />

Year of <strong>the</strong> Woman” and urged all to make politicians earn <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

vote. Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Turcer, from Voters First, talked about <strong>the</strong> redistricting<br />

amendment and holding politicians accountable <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

actions. OAPSE President JoAnn Johntony spoke about women’s<br />

rights in <strong>the</strong> workplace.<br />

Keynote speaker Laura Reyes, recently-elected AFSCME<br />

Secretary-Treasurer, spoke about her personal journey as a mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />

and a worker. She urged her union sisters to make a difference at<br />

<strong>the</strong> ballot box and at <strong>the</strong> bargaining table.<br />

Special guest, retiree Jean Fightmaster, gave a powerful speech<br />

on <strong>the</strong> history of women in <strong>OCSEA</strong>. Fightmaster was a founding<br />

member of <strong>the</strong> WAC Conference, established <strong>the</strong> same year <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />

members won collective bargaining.<br />

AFSCME Int'l Sec.-Treas. Laura Reyes encourages members<br />

to make a difference at <strong>the</strong> ballot box and bargaining table.<br />

Barbara Thomas introduces her nine-year-old granddaughter<br />

Brooklyn, who gave a speech about bullying. While writing<br />

<strong>the</strong> speech, Brooklyn asked her grandmo<strong>the</strong>r, “Did you know<br />

Kasich is bullying you?”<br />

(Right) Ohio<br />

Voters First Chair<br />

Ca<strong>the</strong>rine Turcer<br />

answers questions<br />

after her speech on<br />

redistricting.<br />

(Below) Conference attendees at<br />

dinner on Saturday night.<br />

20 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


OHIO<br />

Next Wave Huddle Up<br />

Up and coming union leaders from Ohio’s three<br />

AFSCME affiliates, including <strong>OCSEA</strong>, attended<br />

<strong>the</strong> June 2 AFSCME Next Wave Huddle Up in<br />

Columbus. These huddles are <strong>the</strong> first of many small<br />

brainstorming sessions on moving <strong>the</strong> union <strong>for</strong>ward <strong>for</strong><br />

young activists. Young union members heard about issues<br />

impacting all workers young and old, including redistricting,<br />

Right to Work, voter suppression, privatization and <strong>the</strong><br />

upcoming election.<br />

Join <strong>the</strong> Next Wave conversation at<br />

facebook.com/ohionextwave.<br />

ODOT Assembly<br />

lobbies Congress<br />

ODOT Assembly leaders attending <strong>the</strong> National<br />

Association of State Highway and Transportation<br />

(NASHTU) Conference in Washington D.C. took <strong>the</strong><br />

opportunity to reach out to legislators about issues impacting <strong>the</strong><br />

work <strong>the</strong>y do.<br />

Of specific concern was <strong>the</strong> reauthorization of <strong>the</strong> federal<br />

transportation bill, which has not been passed with increases<br />

<strong>for</strong> nine legislative cycles. ODOT union leaders talked to Ohio<br />

Congressional delegation members about <strong>the</strong>ir opposition to<br />

privatization mandates snuck into <strong>the</strong> reauthorization bill.<br />

Pictured, Assembly activists Pres. Gary Apanasewicz,<br />

Connie Hahn, Krima Penewit and <strong>OCSEA</strong> staffer Jim Beverly<br />

meet with a representative of Rep. Pat Tiberi’s office. Thanks to<br />

activists like <strong>the</strong>se, Congress recently passed a $120 billion bill to<br />

fund transportation projects nationally at current levels plus inflation<br />

through 2014. No privatization mandate was included in <strong>the</strong><br />

legislation.<br />

Making government<br />

work better<br />

State employees wanting to learn how to<br />

look at <strong>the</strong>ir work differently, improve<br />

processes and get more satisfaction out of <strong>the</strong>ir job honed <strong>the</strong>ir skills<br />

at <strong>the</strong> July Pathways to Excellence. The event, held over two days, is a joint<br />

labor and management ef<strong>for</strong>t put on by <strong>the</strong> Ohio Quality Network to focus on<br />

continuous process improvement in state government.<br />

Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 21


PEOPLE,<br />

Pickles, Politics & PEOPLE<br />

Politics and Family Fun<br />

A<br />

fun day of food, games, speakers and live music<br />

celebrated hardworking <strong>OCSEA</strong> members and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

families at <strong>the</strong> July 9 Working Family Festival. Held<br />

at <strong>OCSEA</strong> Headquarters, <strong>the</strong> festival delighted one and all with<br />

childrens' games, a cornhole tournament, raffles and great food.<br />

Speakers kicking off <strong>the</strong> 2012 political season in style included<br />

AFSCME International Pres. Lee Saunders, State Rep. Kevin<br />

Boyce, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern and<br />

Ohio House candidate Charlie Daniels. PEOPLE recognition<br />

and HPI awards were presented to chapters and activists.<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong>'s first ever Children Recognition<br />

Program was officially launched at this year's<br />

Working Family Festival. <strong>OCSEA</strong> members'<br />

children and grandchildren were honored<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir involvement in <strong>the</strong> labor movement,<br />

particularly <strong>the</strong>ir activism during <strong>the</strong> SB 5<br />

fight.<br />

Read <strong>the</strong>ir stories and see o<strong>the</strong>r award<br />

winners at ocsea.org/familyfest<br />

22 Public Employee Quarterly Summer 2012


Summer 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 23


ODOT<br />

Privatization<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

LOCAL<br />

AFL-CIO<br />

Ohio Civil Service<br />

Employees Association<br />

390 Worthington Road, Ste. A<br />

Westerville, OH 43082-8331<br />

COVER STORY<br />

S u m m e r 2 0 1 2<br />

feature stories<br />

2-3<br />

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY<br />

Assaults and staff cutbacks take toll on families<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong>-endorsed candidates 2012<br />

4-5<br />

<strong>OCSEA</strong> did not endorse anyone who supported SB 5.<br />

departments<br />

6<br />

16<br />

18<br />

ODOT Privatization Voter<br />

Privatization Suppression<br />

Workplace Assaults<br />

Understaffing<br />

Gerrymandering<br />

Voter<br />

Suppression<br />

Workplace<br />

Assaults<br />

Discrimination<br />

ODOT<br />

Privatization<br />

Understaffing<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

Gerrymandering<br />

Voter<br />

Suppression<br />

Understaffing<br />

Privatization<br />

Downsizing<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

Downsizing<br />

Voter<br />

Suppression<br />

Privatization ODOT<br />

Understaffing Privatization<br />

ODOT Privatization<br />

Discrimination<br />

Downsizing<br />

<strong>Taking</strong> a <strong>stand</strong><br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>middle</strong> <strong>class</strong><br />

Gerrymandering<br />

Voter Suppression<br />

Downsizing<br />

Prison Privatization<br />

Privatization<br />

Workplace<br />

Assaults<br />

Workplace Assaults<br />

Voter Supression<br />

Gerrymandering<br />

Discrimination<br />

Voter<br />

Suppression<br />

Downsizing<br />

FROM THE PRESIDENT<br />

next wave spotlight<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

Discrimination<br />

MEETING NOTICES<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

Understaffing<br />

ODOT<br />

Privatization<br />

Voter<br />

Suppression<br />

Gerrymandering<br />

Prison<br />

Privatization<br />

Discrimination<br />

ODOT<br />

Privatization<br />

Gerrymandering<br />

Understaffing<br />

8 - 9<br />

PEOPLE<br />

People, not politicians.<br />

POLITICIANS<br />

Voters First petitions to put redistricting fix on <strong>the</strong> ballot<br />

10<br />

What <strong>the</strong> Af<strong>for</strong>dable Care Act means <strong>for</strong> your family<br />

11<br />

AFSCME delegates tap Saunders to lead<br />

Highlights of <strong>the</strong> 30 th AFSCME International Convention<br />

13<br />

Award winning ef<strong>for</strong>ts by PEOPLE Captains

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