When elections are fair, the PEOPLE win. - OCSEA
When elections are fair, the PEOPLE win. - OCSEA
When elections are fair, the PEOPLE win. - OCSEA
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AFSCME LOCAL 11/AFL-CIO<br />
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY Volume 68, No. 4 • FALL 2012<br />
<strong>When</strong> <strong>elections</strong> <strong>are</strong> <strong>fair</strong>,<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>PEOPLE</strong> <strong>win</strong>.<br />
Obama/Romney<br />
Comparison<br />
pgs. 2-3
WHO'S got YOUR BACK?<br />
America is back on its feet thanks to President Barack<br />
Obama. Under <strong>the</strong> President, <strong>the</strong> country has started <strong>the</strong><br />
slow recovery to economic prosperity. And this after <strong>the</strong><br />
worst economic downfall since <strong>the</strong> Great Depression.<br />
He made <strong>the</strong> recovery possible while still supporting a strong<br />
middle class, instituting trade policies that support American<br />
workers and by understanding that problems don't get solved<br />
by scapegoating <strong>the</strong> working middle class – or public workers.<br />
OBAMA<br />
ROMNEY<br />
Collective<br />
Bargaining<br />
47%<br />
Medic<strong>are</strong><br />
taXES<br />
President Obama supports <strong>the</strong> rights of<br />
workers and collective bargaining.<br />
He also supported public workers with a<br />
federal stimulus package that saved thousands<br />
of state and local public-sector jobs.<br />
President Obama will be <strong>the</strong> president of<br />
all <strong>the</strong> people. He believes in a country<br />
where we watch out for one ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
and that we ARE our bro<strong>the</strong>rs’ and sisters’<br />
keepers.<br />
President Obama supports Medic<strong>are</strong>.<br />
His plan would cut unnecessary subsidies<br />
to insurance companies to provide more<br />
Medic<strong>are</strong> dollars directly to seniors.<br />
President Obama supports <strong>the</strong> middle<br />
class and supports a middle class tax<br />
break.<br />
Mitt Romney said he supported<br />
Senate BIll 5, Governor Kasich’s<br />
effort to gut collective bargaining,<br />
110 percent!!<br />
Mitt Romney believes that 47 percent<br />
of Americans <strong>are</strong> on <strong>the</strong>ir own.<br />
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will gut<br />
Medic<strong>are</strong> and put in place a voucher<br />
system that makes seniors get health<br />
c<strong>are</strong> on <strong>the</strong>ir own from a private<br />
insurance company.<br />
Mitt Romney believes that corporations<br />
<strong>are</strong> people and will give <strong>the</strong> wealthiest<br />
Americans huge tax breaks.<br />
WOMen’S<br />
HealtH<br />
President Obama believes <strong>the</strong> best<br />
person to make decisions about a<br />
woman’s health c<strong>are</strong> is <strong>the</strong> woman<br />
herself, not politicians and health<br />
insurance bureaucrats.<br />
Romney supports <strong>the</strong> government<br />
making decisions about a women’s<br />
health c<strong>are</strong> and would turn back <strong>the</strong><br />
clock on reproductive rights.<br />
VETERANS<br />
At <strong>the</strong>ir convention, President Obama<br />
highlighted again and again <strong>the</strong> service<br />
and sacrifice that our nation’s service<br />
men and women make every single day.<br />
At <strong>the</strong>ir convention, no mention was<br />
made of America’s war veterans<br />
currently serving in Afghanistan.<br />
2 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
Mitt Romney has a history of stretching <strong>the</strong> truth when<br />
it suits him, especially when it comes to middle class<br />
issues. Instead of sticking to his guns on his core values,<br />
Romney changes his stance depending on <strong>the</strong> audience.<br />
Here <strong>are</strong> some whoppers he’s told lately:<br />
“The ‘48, 49 percent’ that supports<br />
President Barack Obama <strong>are</strong><br />
‘people who pay no income tax.’”<br />
PolitiFact: FalSE<br />
We’ve seen <strong>the</strong> video – Mitt Romney says how he really<br />
feels about half of Americans when he thinks no one’s<br />
listening but high-paying fund raisers:<br />
“There <strong>are</strong> 47 percent of <strong>the</strong> people who will vote for<br />
<strong>the</strong> president no matter what … who <strong>are</strong> dependent<br />
on government, who believe that <strong>the</strong>y <strong>are</strong> victims, who<br />
believe <strong>the</strong> government has a responsibility to c<strong>are</strong> for<br />
<strong>the</strong>m, who believe that <strong>the</strong>y <strong>are</strong> entitled to health c<strong>are</strong>,<br />
to food, to housing, to you-name-it. … These <strong>are</strong> people<br />
who pay no income tax. … My job is not to worry about<br />
those people. I’ll never convince <strong>the</strong>m that <strong>the</strong>y should<br />
take personal responsibility and c<strong>are</strong> for <strong>the</strong>ir lives.”<br />
It’s true, 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax.<br />
But <strong>are</strong> <strong>the</strong>y all Obama supporters with no sense of personal<br />
responsibility? Absolutely not! Nearly half of that 47% <strong>are</strong><br />
senior citizens, veterans, students and o<strong>the</strong>r low-wage earners<br />
who pay <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>fair</strong> sh<strong>are</strong> of taxes and <strong>are</strong> vastly diverse when it<br />
comes to political affiliation.<br />
“I don’t have a $5 trillion tax cut.”<br />
PolitiFact: FliP FloP<br />
Mitt Romney has <strong>the</strong> nation confused about his stance on<br />
taxes. Does he have a $5 trillion tax cut plan or doesn’t he? At<br />
<strong>the</strong> first debate, President Obama confronted Romney several<br />
times on his tax plan that doesn’t add up. But instead of<br />
standing behind it, Romney did an old fashioned political<br />
flip-flop and denied <strong>the</strong> claim.<br />
According to PolitiFact, Romney promises to cut taxes but<br />
also to cut spending on vital programs like Medic<strong>are</strong>, and<br />
even PBS. He says he’s going to pay for it by closing loopholes<br />
and deductions. But instead of closing loopholes that benefit<br />
<strong>the</strong> wealthy, Romney is considering <strong>the</strong> elimination of deductions<br />
that help <strong>the</strong> middle class on things like mortgages,<br />
charitable contributions and employer-paid health insurance.<br />
“Pre-existing conditions <strong>are</strong> covered<br />
under my (health c<strong>are</strong>) plan.”<br />
PolitiFact: MOStlY FalSE<br />
Mitt Romney has been against <strong>the</strong> Patient<br />
Protection and Affordable C<strong>are</strong> Act since <strong>the</strong> beginning.<br />
However, kno<strong>win</strong>g that maintaining coverage<br />
for those with pre-existing conditions polls well<br />
with voters, Romney continues to stand by his statement<br />
regardless of plausibility.<br />
You can’t have your cake and eat it too, Mitt.<br />
According to PolitiFact, “Romney said his health<br />
c<strong>are</strong> proposals include protections for pre-existing<br />
conditions. What he didn’t say at <strong>the</strong> debate – but<br />
which his website states and advisers confirmed<br />
after <strong>the</strong> debate – is that people would be protected<br />
from denial only if <strong>the</strong>y have been continuously<br />
insured.”<br />
The Affordable C<strong>are</strong> Act, which Romney has<br />
promised to repeal on his first day in office, “offers<br />
protections whe<strong>the</strong>r people have current coverage<br />
or not,” but under Romney’s plan, <strong>the</strong>re would be<br />
no such protection.<br />
Did Mitt Romney really <strong>win</strong> <strong>the</strong> first debate?<br />
NOT IF YOU ADD UP HIS LIES.<br />
Fall 2012<br />
Public Employee Quarterly 3
Vote Yes on 2 –<br />
so SB 5 never happens again...…<br />
Who can forget that cold <strong>win</strong>ter<br />
day, locked out of <strong>the</strong> Ohio<br />
Statehouse simply for standing<br />
up for what was right? Senate Bill 5 was<br />
wrong, but conservative politicians didn’t<br />
c<strong>are</strong> what Ohioans had to say. They voted<br />
for <strong>the</strong> harmful bill despite <strong>the</strong> majority of<br />
Ohioans disagreeing with it.<br />
Voters stood up and defeated SB 5.<br />
But next time we might not be so lucky.<br />
“We need a <strong>fair</strong> redistricting process so<br />
legislation like SB 5 never happens again.<br />
A Yes on 2 this Nov. 6 is <strong>the</strong> best way to<br />
fight <strong>the</strong>se attacks before <strong>the</strong>y happen,” said<br />
Cl<strong>are</strong>nce Imhoff, Lake Geauga Chap. 4300<br />
President.<br />
Last year it was No on 2 against SB 5.<br />
This year it’s Yes on 2 for <strong>fair</strong> districts.<br />
A Yes on Issue 2 will ensure that those<br />
we elect represent <strong>the</strong> people – not <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
own personal interests.<br />
What does Issue 2<br />
mean for Ohio?<br />
Every ten years, Ohio goes through a “redistricting”<br />
process in which boundary lines for<br />
Statehouse and Congressional districts <strong>are</strong> redrawn.<br />
But here’s <strong>the</strong> problem: Ohio’s process has<br />
been rigged by corrupt politicians and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
greedy special interest friends. They’ve stolen<br />
our voice, our vote and our power, rewriting<br />
<strong>the</strong> rules to benefit <strong>the</strong>mselves at our expense.<br />
Government no longer represents “we <strong>the</strong><br />
people,” but “we <strong>the</strong> politicians.”<br />
How will Issue 2 solve<br />
<strong>the</strong>se problems?<br />
Issue 2 is a step toward common sense reform<br />
that ensures that nei<strong>the</strong>r party can un<strong>fair</strong>ly dominate<br />
state politics. It makes sure that decent people<br />
who want to actually fix problems can compete<br />
against <strong>the</strong> c<strong>are</strong>er politicians and <strong>win</strong>.<br />
Putting voters in charge of dra<strong>win</strong>g districts puts<br />
an end to <strong>the</strong> gridlock and <strong>the</strong> back-room deals<br />
that currently plague government.<br />
4 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
LOCAL<br />
AFL-CIO<br />
VotersFirstOhio.com<br />
SCRUB OFF<br />
Out with<br />
<strong>the</strong> OLD!<br />
Paid for by <strong>OCSEA</strong>. Christopher A. Mabe, President. 390 Worthington Rd. Westervi le, Oh 43082<br />
in with<br />
<strong>the</strong><br />
Ohio Civil Service<br />
Employees Association<br />
Get your Yes on 2 bumper sticker!<br />
Host or attend a Scrub Off<br />
Still got that No on 2 bumper sticker on your<br />
car? Trade it in for a new Yes on 2 bumper sticker<br />
and let your community know you want <strong>fair</strong><br />
districts.<br />
Ask your chapter leaders how you can attend a<br />
“Saturday Scrub Off” near you and get your Yes on<br />
2 bumper sticker. Or host an event for your chapter<br />
by becoming a Scrub Leader. Find out more at<br />
OCSeavotes.org or email Tim Roberts at<br />
troberts@ocsea.org.<br />
What Issue 2 ISN’T!<br />
…a liberal ploy to take away your voter rights.<br />
Wrong! Issue 2 is actually a bipartisan effort<br />
to fix a broken system and give a voice back to<br />
voters. It’s endorsed by Ohio’s largest newspapers<br />
and voter advocate groups, including <strong>the</strong> League<br />
of Women Voters.<br />
…an attack on our Constitution.<br />
Wrong! Issue 2 would actually streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong><br />
Ohio Constitution by making sure elected officials<br />
represent <strong>the</strong> people as <strong>the</strong> Constitution<br />
intended. And if <strong>the</strong>y don’t, <strong>the</strong>y get voted out…<br />
period.<br />
…an expensive government program.<br />
Wrong! Issue 2 would bring back accountability,<br />
transp<strong>are</strong>ncy and balance by putting redistricting<br />
in <strong>the</strong> hands of Ohio voters, not government<br />
officials, with a Citizens Commission.<br />
Don’t listen to <strong>the</strong> lies. Vote YES to end<br />
politics as usual—because when <strong>elections</strong><br />
<strong>are</strong> <strong>fair</strong> and balanced, we <strong>the</strong> people <strong>win</strong>.<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 5
A Yes on Issue 2 is a vote for <strong>fair</strong>ness<br />
CHRISTOPHER MABE<br />
President<br />
L<br />
ast year we did<br />
everything we could<br />
to bring down<br />
Senate Bill 5. We showed<br />
<strong>the</strong> state, <strong>the</strong> nation and <strong>the</strong><br />
world that anti-worker politicians<br />
weren’t going to mess<br />
with Ohio’s public workers<br />
and <strong>the</strong>ir right to have a<br />
voice in <strong>the</strong> workplace.<br />
We stood in <strong>the</strong> cold,<br />
stayed up late at <strong>the</strong><br />
Statehouse, petitioned on<br />
street corners, walked our<br />
neighborhoods and wrote<br />
letters to our families and<br />
friends urging <strong>the</strong>m to bring<br />
down SB 5 at <strong>the</strong> polls. It was<br />
hard work, but <strong>OCSEA</strong> members<br />
and our union friends<br />
and supporters put up a hell<br />
of a fight, and we were victorious<br />
on Election Day by<br />
defeating <strong>the</strong> attack against<br />
collecting bargaining.<br />
I have to admit, this year’s<br />
fight at <strong>the</strong> polls is different<br />
than last year’s. But, I must<br />
emphasize…it is no less<br />
important!<br />
Yes on Issue 2 – <strong>the</strong> ballot<br />
initiative for <strong>fair</strong> districts –<br />
isn’t in our face like SB 5 was<br />
last year. We’re not being<br />
directly attacked (for now).<br />
But that doesn’t mean it’s not<br />
important! It’s just as important.<br />
If we <strong>are</strong>n’t proactive<br />
now and fix Ohio’s legislative<br />
redistricting process<br />
by voting Yes on 2, greedy<br />
politicians and <strong>the</strong>ir special<br />
interest friends will continue<br />
to railroad this state. Extreme<br />
legislation like SB 5 – which<br />
<strong>the</strong> majority of Ohioans<br />
opposed – will become a<br />
Statehouse standard. And<br />
next time <strong>the</strong>y put <strong>the</strong><br />
hammer down on working<br />
people, we may not be so<br />
lucky.<br />
I recently had <strong>the</strong><br />
privilege of attending<br />
<strong>the</strong> Democratic<br />
National Convention<br />
in Charlotte and was<br />
part of <strong>the</strong> Ohio delegation<br />
that put Pres.<br />
Barack Obama over<br />
<strong>the</strong> top.<br />
But even as I<br />
attended this important<br />
event, I was constantly<br />
reminded of those back<br />
home: The prison worker<br />
who just got off a 16-hour<br />
shift. The mom who pays<br />
almost as much as she makes<br />
for dayc<strong>are</strong>. The couple at<br />
<strong>the</strong> kitchen table trying to<br />
figure out how to pay this<br />
month’s mortgage. They<br />
<strong>are</strong>n’t thinking about politics.<br />
They’re thinking about getting<br />
by, paying <strong>the</strong> bills and<br />
working hard – hoping this<br />
year is better than <strong>the</strong> last.<br />
This is <strong>the</strong> working class –<br />
<strong>the</strong> middle-of-<strong>the</strong>-road voters.<br />
Statistically, Ohio voters<br />
<strong>are</strong> very moderate, which<br />
is why legislation like SB 5<br />
just didn’t fly. They want<br />
commonsense legislation<br />
that gives <strong>the</strong> middle class a<br />
chance. They want sensible<br />
politicians who c<strong>are</strong> about<br />
<strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong>ir issues. Issue<br />
2 would put an end to <strong>the</strong><br />
political games that have<br />
divided this state of moderate<br />
voters into “liberals” and<br />
“conservatives,” “Democrats”<br />
and “Republicans.”<br />
Anti-worker politicians<br />
know exactly what “Yes”<br />
on Issue 2 means, and so<br />
should you! They know<br />
it means putting voters in<br />
charge of dra<strong>win</strong>g legislative<br />
and Congressional districts.<br />
C<strong>are</strong>er politicians know Issue<br />
2 will put an end to un<strong>fair</strong><br />
“We will Vote Yes on<br />
Issue 2 and return<br />
to a government of<br />
‘we <strong>the</strong> people’ not<br />
‘we <strong>the</strong> politicians!’”<br />
~ <strong>OCSEA</strong> Pres.<br />
Christopher Mabe<br />
redistricting, and deciding<br />
races before voters even<br />
go to <strong>the</strong> polls. They know<br />
it will give new candidates<br />
a chance and <strong>the</strong>y will no<br />
longer be able to just pass<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir agenda-driven legislation<br />
without being accountable<br />
to <strong>the</strong>ir constituents.<br />
It wasn’t a coincidence<br />
that <strong>the</strong> politicians in charge<br />
gave this initiative <strong>the</strong> same<br />
Issue number (#2) as last<br />
year’s No on SB 5! They<br />
wanted to confuse Ohio<br />
voters…but we’re not dumb.<br />
We will Vote Yes on Issue 2<br />
and return to a government<br />
of “we <strong>the</strong> people” not “we<br />
<strong>the</strong> politicians!”<br />
LOCAL<br />
AFL-CIO<br />
Ohio Civil Service<br />
Employees Association<br />
><br />
President<br />
Christopher Mabe<br />
Vice President 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),<br />
Bob Valentine (odot)<br />
District 4: Bruce Thompson (dys),<br />
Vacancy<br />
District 5: Cindy Bobbitt (odJfs),<br />
Jeana Campolo (MR)<br />
District 6: Laura Morris (Health), Debra King-<br />
Hutchinson (odJfs), Gerard "Rocky" Jolly<br />
(School for Blind), Shirley Hubbert (BWC),<br />
James Adkins (dr&C), K<strong>are</strong>n Ry<strong>the</strong>r (rsc),<br />
John Anthony (Taxation), Louella Jeter (odPS),<br />
Annie Person (dys), Amy Turner (odot)<br />
District 7: James LaRocca (Lottery),<br />
Lawrence McKissic (BWC)<br />
District 8: A.J. Frame (dr&C),<br />
Beth Sheets (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,<br />
Westerville, Oh 43082<br />
Live oPerator: 614-865-4700 or 800-969-4702<br />
Automated Dial: 614-865-2678 or<br />
800-266-5615<br />
Fax: 614-865-4777<br />
Web site: www.ocsea.org<br />
Customer Service: 888-ocsea-11<br />
(888-627-3211)<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> Public Employee Quarterly (usPS<br />
010-112) is published quarterly for $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> ocsea 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 information<br />
go to:<br />
www.ocsea.org/update or call 800-969-4702.<br />
LAKE<br />
WILLIAMS FULTON LUCAS<br />
ASHTABULA<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
OTTAWA<br />
DISTRICT 7<br />
GEAUGA<br />
WOOD<br />
CUYAHOGA<br />
DEFIANCE HENRY<br />
SANDUSKY ERIE<br />
TRUMBULL<br />
LORAIN<br />
PORTAGE<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
PAULDING<br />
MEDINA<br />
DISTRICT 1<br />
HURON<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
SENECA<br />
SUMMIT DISTRICT 4<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
PUTNAM<br />
HANCOCK<br />
DISTRICT 3<br />
MAHONING<br />
ASH-<br />
VAN WERT<br />
WYANDOT CRAWFORD<br />
LAND<br />
WAYNE<br />
STARK<br />
ALLEN<br />
RICHLAND<br />
COLUMBIANA<br />
HARDIN<br />
MERCER AUGLAIZE<br />
MARION<br />
HOLMES<br />
CARROLL<br />
MORROW<br />
JEFFER-<br />
LOGAN<br />
KNOX<br />
TUSCARAWAS<br />
SON<br />
SHELBY<br />
UNION<br />
HARRISON<br />
DELAWARE<br />
COSHOCTON<br />
DARKE<br />
CHAMPAIGN <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
DISTRICT 6<br />
DISTRICT 5<br />
LICKING<br />
MIAMI<br />
GUERNSEY BELMONT<br />
MUSKINGUM<br />
FRANKLIN<br />
CLARK<br />
MADISON<br />
MONT-<br />
PREBLE GOMERY<br />
FAIRFIELD<br />
NOBLE<br />
PERRY<br />
MONROE<br />
GREENE<br />
MORGAN<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
FAYETTE<br />
DISTRICT 2<br />
HOCKING<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
BUTLER<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
WARREN CLINTON<br />
DISTRICT 8<br />
ROSS<br />
VINTON ATHENS<br />
HAMILTON<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 />
LAWRENCE<br />
6 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
Sherrod Brown<br />
Ohio Senate<br />
Got questions<br />
about OPERS?<br />
RSVP for November<br />
Pre-Retirement training<br />
The Union Education Trust<br />
will host a Pre-retirement training<br />
on Friday Nov. 9, and<br />
Saturday Nov. 10 at <strong>the</strong> Quest<br />
Building in Westerville, Ohio.<br />
This day-and-a-half long<br />
program will allow <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
members and <strong>the</strong>ir families to<br />
get <strong>the</strong> knowledge needed for a<br />
secure retirement and develop a<br />
personalized retirement plan.<br />
Members will also get<br />
<strong>the</strong> latest information on<br />
legislative changes to <strong>the</strong><br />
Ohio Public Employee<br />
Retirement System (OPERS)<br />
and how those changes<br />
will impact <strong>the</strong>ir retirement<br />
plans.<br />
Friday’s session will run from<br />
6-9 p.m. and Saturday’s session<br />
will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.<br />
Registration starts 30 minutes<br />
before each session.<br />
The event is free and open to<br />
all State of Ohio bargaining unit<br />
members and <strong>the</strong>ir spouses and<br />
significant o<strong>the</strong>rs. A light dinner<br />
will be served Friday evening. A<br />
continental breakfast and lunch<br />
will be served on Saturday.<br />
The Quest Building is<br />
located at 8405 Pulsar Place,<br />
Columbus, Ohio 43240.<br />
To register, contact UET<br />
Customer Service at 800-969-<br />
4702, ext. 2645, or email<br />
blowe@ocsea.org.<br />
Activists on last year’s Senate Bill 5 campaign know<br />
that Senator Sherrod Brown is a fierce fighter for<br />
collective bargaining rights.<br />
In fact, since his election to <strong>the</strong> U.S. Senate in 2006,<br />
Senator Brown has made standing up for Ohio’s workers<br />
one of his signature issues. “You’d be hard-pressed to find<br />
a better advocate for working people in <strong>the</strong> Senate,” said<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> President Christopher Mabe.<br />
Where Sen. Brown stands on <strong>the</strong> issues:<br />
Collective Bargaining /<br />
Senate Bill 5<br />
Sherrod Brown was one of <strong>the</strong><br />
most vocal and eloquent supporters<br />
of collective bargaining<br />
rights during <strong>the</strong> SB 5 fight. In<br />
a speech before <strong>the</strong> Fraternal<br />
Order of Police last year, Sen.<br />
Brown said that collective bargaining<br />
was about more than<br />
just wages and benefits. “You’re<br />
bargaining for a better community,”<br />
he proclaimed.<br />
Jobs<br />
The Washington Post named Sen.<br />
Brown “Congress’ leading proponent<br />
of American manufacturing.”<br />
Instead of supporting a race to <strong>the</strong><br />
bottom, Sen. Brown fights for <strong>fair</strong><br />
trade – ensuring that industry isn’t<br />
undermined by un<strong>fair</strong> labor practices<br />
across <strong>the</strong> globe.<br />
Taxes<br />
Sherrod Brown has consistently<br />
voted for a <strong>fair</strong> tax policy. Sen.<br />
Brown supports a middle class tax<br />
cut and voted to make millionaires<br />
pay <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>fair</strong> sh<strong>are</strong>.<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 7
Tearing down <strong>the</strong> House<br />
that built SB 5<br />
Two years ago in this<br />
magazine, we warned<br />
what would happen if<br />
anti-union, anti-public employee<br />
conservatives gained control of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ohio House. But little did<br />
we know <strong>the</strong> extremes <strong>the</strong>y<br />
would go to in such a short<br />
time to dismantle <strong>the</strong> rights<br />
and lives of hard-working public<br />
employees.<br />
It’s plain and simple. If<br />
we don’t support and elect<br />
members of <strong>the</strong> General<br />
Assembly who support<br />
public employees, legislation<br />
like Senate Bill 5 will happen<br />
over and over again.<br />
“The choice is clear! We<br />
have to tear down <strong>the</strong> legislative<br />
house that created SB 5 and<br />
rebuild a General Assembly that<br />
stands up for us and <strong>the</strong> services<br />
we provide,” said Rocky Jolly,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> Governmental Af<strong>fair</strong>s<br />
Committee Chair.<br />
This includes electing<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>-endorsed House or<br />
Senate incumbent candidates<br />
who voted NO on SB 5 and<br />
new candidates who support<br />
collective bargaining 100<br />
percent. All <strong>the</strong> endorsed candidates<br />
oppose privatization.<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>-endorsed candidates<br />
include long-time friends<br />
of labor like Senator Lou<br />
Gentile, a legislator running in<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>astern Ohio in Senate<br />
District 30, and Rep. Connie<br />
Pillich, a third-term candidate<br />
from Montgomery. This also<br />
includes new friends like<br />
Charlie Daniels, SE Ohio, and<br />
Hea<strong>the</strong>r Bishoff, Central Ohio,<br />
who were invigorated by last<br />
year’s battles at <strong>the</strong> Statehouse<br />
and want to make sure collective<br />
bargaining is safe in Ohio.<br />
All have stood side-by-side<br />
with public employees through<br />
<strong>the</strong>se fights and will continue to<br />
fight for <strong>the</strong>m once elected.<br />
Will you stand with <strong>the</strong>m<br />
on Nov. 6?<br />
Sen. Lou Gentile<br />
30th Senate District<br />
Rep. Connie Pillich<br />
28th House District<br />
Hea<strong>the</strong>r Bishoff<br />
20th House District<br />
Charlie Daniels<br />
95th House District<br />
Voted AGAINST SB 5 and<br />
OPPOSES Privatization<br />
“I led <strong>the</strong> fight against<br />
SB 5 in Sou<strong>the</strong>astern Ohio<br />
and was very vocal about<br />
my opposition. I will stand<br />
alongside public employees<br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir fight against extremist<br />
politicians.”<br />
Voted AGAINST SB 5 and<br />
OPPOSES Privatization<br />
“I strongly support <strong>the</strong> right<br />
to collectively bargain…I was<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Statehouse when Gov.<br />
Kasich locked <strong>the</strong> people out.<br />
I worked for hours to open<br />
<strong>the</strong> doors…I stood with o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
democrats for an injunction<br />
that would allow protesters<br />
into <strong>the</strong> Statehouse.”<br />
SUPPORTS Collective<br />
Bargaining and<br />
OPPOSES Privatization<br />
“I did not support SB 5.<br />
I also did not support <strong>the</strong><br />
lack of prioritization placed<br />
on education in <strong>the</strong> state<br />
budget.”<br />
SUPPORTS Collective<br />
Bargaining and<br />
OPPOSES Privatization<br />
“I strongly oppose privatization<br />
initiatives as we have<br />
seen in Ohio’s prisons and<br />
<strong>the</strong> current push to privatize<br />
our Turnpike. They drain<br />
funds out of Ohio’s economy<br />
and cut wages and benefits<br />
for working families.”<br />
8 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
Ohio Supreme Court Races:<br />
Don't leave <strong>the</strong> ballot blank<br />
A<br />
balanced court is in <strong>the</strong> best interests of all Ohioans. So<br />
often issues that <strong>are</strong> important to workers – like privatization,<br />
voter suppression and <strong>fair</strong> districts – end up in<br />
front of <strong>the</strong> Ohio Supreme Court.<br />
Despite this, six out of seven members on Ohio’s Supreme<br />
Court <strong>are</strong> conservatives who have voted with big business, not<br />
<strong>the</strong> middle class. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, <strong>the</strong> three judges <strong>OCSEA</strong> has<br />
endorsed <strong>are</strong> all champions for working people. <strong>When</strong> you go to<br />
<strong>the</strong> polls, support judges that support you and don’t leave that<br />
ballot blank.<br />
The importance of <strong>the</strong> Supreme Court:<br />
• In September, <strong>the</strong> Ohio Supreme Court rejected partisan<br />
ballot language that was designed to manipulate<br />
voters into rejecting Issue 2 regarding <strong>fair</strong> districts.<br />
• <strong>When</strong> Gov. Kasich decided to take public money and<br />
funnel it into a private organization, JobsOhio, legal<br />
questions surrounding its funding have gone all <strong>the</strong><br />
way to <strong>the</strong> Ohio Supreme Court.<br />
• The Ohio Supreme Court is <strong>the</strong> ultimate arbitrator of<br />
cases in Ohio. OCSea’s lawsuit against private prison<br />
contractors is currently being heard by <strong>the</strong> Franklin<br />
County Court of Common Pleas. If appealed, it could<br />
be heard by <strong>the</strong> Ohio Supreme Court.<br />
Yvette McGee Brown (D)<br />
Yvette McGee Brown is <strong>the</strong> first African-American<br />
female on <strong>the</strong> Ohio Supreme Court and a consistent<br />
voice for working people on an unbalanced court.<br />
No case illustrates that better than Sutton vs.<br />
Tomco Machining, Inc. in 2011. Brown cast <strong>the</strong><br />
deciding vote in favor of an employee who was<br />
wrongfully terminated after being injured on <strong>the</strong> job.<br />
Yvette McGee Brown (D)<br />
for Ohio Supreme Court<br />
Yvette McGee Brown (D)<br />
for Ohio Supreme Court<br />
Mike Skindell (D)<br />
for Ohio Supreme Court<br />
William O'Neill (D)<br />
Not only is William O’Neill a former <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
staffer, he has committed to running for <strong>the</strong><br />
Supreme Court of Ohio without taking any financial<br />
contributions. You can be sure O’Neill will never<br />
prioritize rich campaign contributors over working<br />
class people.<br />
Mike Skindell (D)<br />
Currently serving as a State Senator from Lakewood<br />
and member of <strong>the</strong> Senate Finance Committee, Mike<br />
Skindell has fought to protect funding for vital government<br />
services and opposes privatization. As a judge,<br />
he would no doubt bring much needed balance to <strong>the</strong><br />
court as an impartial, <strong>fair</strong> and vital voice for Ohio’s<br />
working class.<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 9
Getting Out <strong>the</strong> Vote in 2012<br />
Year after year and election after election, <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
members <strong>are</strong> constantly reminded of <strong>the</strong> importance<br />
of electing labor-friendly candidates.<br />
This year, in addition to national races and electing candidates<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Ohio General Assembly, activists <strong>are</strong> needed to<br />
Get Out <strong>the</strong> Vote for <strong>the</strong> “YES on Issue 2” effort. Issue 2 is a<br />
ballot initiative to change how Congressional and legislative<br />
districts <strong>are</strong> drawn by giving it back to <strong>the</strong> people of Ohio<br />
once and for all.<br />
With improved canvassing and phone banking, including a<br />
new mobile phone bank, GOTV is easier than ever. Volunteer<br />
at <strong>OCSEA</strong>Votes.org today!<br />
Matt Arnold, Washington Chap. 8400, traveled to Columbus to<br />
attend <strong>the</strong> Ohio Labor 2012 Workers’ Voice campaign kickoff and<br />
get GOTV information to take back to Sou<strong>the</strong>astern Ohio.<br />
Volunteer at ocseavotes.org today!<br />
Phone Bank and<br />
Canvassing at <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
Headquarters<br />
Now through Nov. 6 Election Day, <strong>OCSEA</strong> is<br />
hosting daily GOTV phone banks at its headquarters.<br />
Calls <strong>are</strong> member-to-member and Hatch Act<br />
compliant.<br />
Recently, activists from <strong>OCSEA</strong>’s District 6<br />
made calls to members in support of <strong>the</strong> proworker<br />
Issue 2 and candidates who champion<br />
public workers. Will you join <strong>the</strong>m?<br />
Stop by to volunteer!<br />
OCSea Headquarters<br />
390 Worthington Road<br />
Westerville, OH 43082<br />
Mondays – Fridays – 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.<br />
Saturdays – 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.<br />
Sundays – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.<br />
Phone Bank in<br />
a Box<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> leaders interested<br />
in setting up a phone bank for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir chapters now have <strong>the</strong><br />
“Phone Bank in a Box” option.<br />
A mobile phone bank kit for<br />
chapters gives activists <strong>the</strong><br />
chance to participate in GOTV<br />
efforts without leaving home.<br />
Scrub Off: Out with <strong>the</strong> old and<br />
in with <strong>the</strong> new!<br />
Last year it was “No on 2” against SB 5. This year it’s “Yes<br />
on 2” for <strong>fair</strong> districts. If you still have that old bumper<br />
sticker on your car, it's time to trade it in for a brand new<br />
“Yes on Issue 2” bumper sticker.<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> is looking for Scrub Leaders to host “Scrub Off Saturdays”<br />
all over <strong>the</strong> state through Election Day.<br />
To volunteer, email troberts@ocsea.org or visit <strong>OCSEA</strong>Votes.org<br />
10 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
Workers Voice<br />
Not able to come to Columbus to volunteer with <strong>OCSEA</strong>?<br />
Want to get involved in your community? The AFL-CIO<br />
Workers Voice program is hosting phone banks and walks<br />
across <strong>the</strong> state. Workers Voice is an independent group<br />
of <strong>the</strong> AFL-CIO and is looking for individuals and groups<br />
to volunteer. Worried about being Hatched? AFL-CIO has<br />
safeguards in place to make sure our activists follow <strong>the</strong> law<br />
regarding public servants engaging in political activity. Just<br />
let <strong>the</strong>m know you’re a public employee.<br />
Visit <strong>OCSEA</strong>Votes.org. for <strong>the</strong> Workers Voice schedule<br />
and locations.<br />
Volunteer for GOTV and<br />
bring home <strong>the</strong> swag!<br />
Vote YES on Nov. 6<br />
Members<br />
of Chap.<br />
800 kick off<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir GOTV<br />
efforts at a<br />
parade in<br />
Georgetown.<br />
(Above) District 7 holds a Get Out <strong>the</strong> Vote<br />
event.<br />
Ask your chapter<br />
leaders how to<br />
volunteer and get free<br />
Yes on 2 stuff!<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 11
Voter Suppression:<br />
Alive and Well in OhiO<br />
If you’re confused about<br />
early voting, you’re not<br />
alone. The same politicians<br />
who wanted to eliminate your<br />
voice on <strong>the</strong> job last year with<br />
Senate Bill 5, now want to eliminate<br />
your voice at <strong>the</strong> ballot<br />
box.<br />
An unprecedented attempt<br />
to try to suppress Ohioans’<br />
vote has left <strong>the</strong> decision about<br />
when you can vote early tangled<br />
up in <strong>the</strong> court system. This<br />
has left many voters wondering<br />
when – or if – <strong>the</strong>y’ll be able to<br />
get to <strong>the</strong> polls this year.<br />
Ohio Secretary of State (SOS)<br />
Jon Husted, who ruled to limit<br />
early voting hours and completely<br />
eliminate <strong>the</strong>m on <strong>the</strong><br />
weekends, has been behind<br />
much of <strong>the</strong> shenanigans.<br />
He’s <strong>the</strong> one behind:<br />
• The firing of two<br />
Montgomery County<br />
Board of Elections members<br />
for voting to allow<br />
weekend early voting in<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir county.<br />
• Trying to deny Ohioans<br />
<strong>the</strong> right to vote <strong>the</strong> last<br />
three days before <strong>the</strong><br />
election – even after a<br />
judge ruled o<strong>the</strong>rwise.<br />
What we know as of this<br />
writing is that Ohioans likely<br />
will be able to vote <strong>the</strong> last<br />
three days before <strong>the</strong> election,<br />
thanks to a federal judge who<br />
intervened in Ohio. County<br />
boards of <strong>elections</strong> <strong>are</strong> right<br />
now figuring out <strong>the</strong>ir early<br />
voting hours for those three<br />
days. However, that still makes<br />
<strong>the</strong> rest of weekend in-person<br />
early voting through October<br />
off limits. And guess who that<br />
affects <strong>the</strong> most? Working<br />
people!<br />
“Not only <strong>are</strong> <strong>the</strong>y trying to<br />
put <strong>the</strong> genie back in <strong>the</strong> bottle<br />
by limiting early voting, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
<strong>are</strong> specifically targeting working<br />
people who <strong>are</strong> on <strong>the</strong> job<br />
during regular business hours<br />
and depend on weekend and<br />
Voter Suppression Timeline<br />
in-person voting became widely-used in 2008 and immediately alleviated <strong>the</strong><br />
problem of long poll lines in Ohio’s urban precincts. To make sense of how we got<br />
here and who’s responsible, we’ve created <strong>the</strong> Voter Suppression Timeline.<br />
E<br />
arly,<br />
evening voting hours,” said<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> President Christopher<br />
Mabe.<br />
“This is <strong>the</strong> sign of desperation.<br />
If you can’t <strong>win</strong> an election<br />
with your good policies,<br />
you’ll try to steal it with dirty<br />
politics,” said Mabe.<br />
To combat voter suppression,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> is supporting a<br />
“Souls to <strong>the</strong> Polls” program,<br />
Sleep Out <strong>the</strong> Vote events and<br />
Movement Building Trainings.<br />
Call Lori Elmore at 800-266-<br />
5615, ext. 4722.<br />
TIMELINE:<br />
How <strong>the</strong>y <strong>are</strong> trying to<br />
take away your vote<br />
2000-2004<br />
In 2004, lines <strong>are</strong> so long at some<br />
precincts in Ohio (think Cleveland,<br />
East side Columbus), polls have to stay<br />
open for hours after official closing time.<br />
Some voters get frustrated and leave<br />
before casting <strong>the</strong>ir vote.<br />
2007<br />
Ohio Secy. of State Jennifer<br />
Brunner allows Ohioans to<br />
register and cast an early vote<br />
during “golden week.”<br />
2008<br />
Early in-person voting used<br />
by large numbers of Ohioans<br />
and seen as huge success.<br />
African Americans, in particular,<br />
use weekend, in-person voting,<br />
and pastors organize “souls to<br />
<strong>the</strong> polls” <strong>the</strong> Sunday before<br />
Election Day.<br />
12 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
2011<br />
Republicans in <strong>the</strong> Ohio General Assembly<br />
limit early voting by passing House Bill 194,<br />
which eliminates early voting on <strong>the</strong> weekends.<br />
Later, after a successful signature drive<br />
is held to put a referendum against HB 194<br />
on <strong>the</strong> ballot, <strong>the</strong> Republicans pass ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
bill to try to repeal it <strong>the</strong>mselves, for fear <strong>the</strong><br />
ballot initiative would energize Democrats.<br />
AuG. 15, 2012<br />
SOS John Husted sends out a directive<br />
ordering Ohio Boards of Elections to limit<br />
voting hours, excluding evening hours<br />
and eliminating weekend early voting.<br />
AUG. 28, 2012<br />
SOS Husted fires two<br />
Montgomery County <strong>elections</strong><br />
officials, Tom Ritchie, Sr. and<br />
Dennis Lieberman, for voting to<br />
extend early voting on weekends<br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir county.<br />
SEPT. 12, 2012<br />
A federal judge denies SOS Husted’s<br />
request to keep counties from setting<br />
voting times <strong>the</strong> final three days<br />
before election.<br />
AUG. 31, 2012<br />
A federal judge orders SOS Husted to open<br />
<strong>the</strong> polls for early voting <strong>the</strong> last three days<br />
before <strong>the</strong> election. In 2008, 93,000 Ohioans<br />
cast <strong>the</strong>ir ballots during this period.<br />
NOW!<br />
Ohio County Boards of Elections<br />
<strong>are</strong> working on determining early<br />
voting hours for <strong>the</strong> last three days<br />
before Election Day. SOS Husted<br />
has appealed twice to restrict<br />
<strong>the</strong>se voting hours.<br />
Vote now while you<br />
still have <strong>the</strong> chance!<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 13
Despite pronouncements<br />
by lawmakers<br />
and <strong>the</strong> Kasich<br />
administration that sentencing<br />
reform would help alleviate<br />
Ohio’s understaffed and overcrowded<br />
prisons, <strong>the</strong> union<br />
recently released figures sho<strong>win</strong>g<br />
that <strong>the</strong> staffing levels in<br />
Ohio’s prisons have, in fact,<br />
gotten worse.<br />
At a press conference outside<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Toledo Correctional<br />
Institution, <strong>the</strong> union unveiled<br />
a new billboard regarding <strong>the</strong><br />
connection between staffing<br />
and prison violence.<br />
Two billboards, one<br />
in Toledo and one in <strong>the</strong><br />
Mansfield <strong>are</strong>a ask Ohioans to<br />
call Governor Kasich and ask<br />
him to take action regarding<br />
understaffing.<br />
While <strong>the</strong> number of inmates<br />
in <strong>the</strong> state prisons reduced by<br />
just over 2 percent, <strong>the</strong> number<br />
of Correction Officers over <strong>the</strong><br />
same period was reduced at a<br />
much higher rate – a staggering<br />
5 percent – something <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
warned lawmakers last year not<br />
to do.<br />
“We hate to say, ‘I told you<br />
so,’ but we told you so,” said<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> President Christopher<br />
Mabe, a 20-year DR&C<br />
employee. “This union supported<br />
sentencing reform last<br />
year because we wanted relief<br />
for our Correction Officers<br />
and we wanted safer prisons.<br />
But we said it <strong>the</strong>n, and we <strong>are</strong><br />
saying today, not at <strong>the</strong> expense<br />
of cutting security staff,” said<br />
Mabe.<br />
“We've seen over <strong>the</strong><br />
past year that when<br />
staff <strong>are</strong> cut, security<br />
is weakened.”<br />
~ <strong>OCSEA</strong> Pres.<br />
Christopher Mabe<br />
“Today, Ohio’s prisons <strong>are</strong><br />
worse off than <strong>the</strong>y were before<br />
sentencing reform,” said Mabe.<br />
“Cutting staff undermined<br />
one of <strong>the</strong> goals of sentencing<br />
reform: to deal with our understaffing.”<br />
More than 325 Correction<br />
Officers have been cut statewide<br />
this year.<br />
At <strong>the</strong> ToCI, staffing levels<br />
on some shifts <strong>are</strong> much worse<br />
than <strong>the</strong> statewide average. In<br />
fact, on second shift, <strong>the</strong> facility<br />
runs 25 percent short most<br />
nights, causing employees to<br />
work mandatory overtime,<br />
according to Randy Deeble, a<br />
Toledo Correction Officer and<br />
union president of that facility.<br />
“Excessive overtime is as<br />
dangerous as short staffing,”<br />
said Deeble, “Even though it’s<br />
against policy, we have some<br />
officers who <strong>are</strong> mandated to<br />
work 3 to 4 days of<br />
back-to-back overtime,<br />
16 hours a day.”<br />
Injured CO Dennis<br />
Cowell spoke to injuries<br />
he sustained while<br />
working <strong>the</strong> “chow line”<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Toledo prison<br />
cafeteria. Cowell lost<br />
several teeth and is<br />
plagued by health issues<br />
due to a head injury caused by<br />
an inmate.<br />
“Sentencing reform is not a<br />
magic bullet. We’ve seen over<br />
<strong>the</strong> past year that when staff<br />
<strong>are</strong> cut, security is weakened.<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> is calling on lawmakers<br />
and this administration to proactively<br />
address our staffing levels<br />
now, before it’s too late,” said<br />
Mabe.<br />
(Above) TV stations in Toledo<br />
covered <strong>the</strong> launch of <strong>OCSEA</strong>'s<br />
billboard on prison staffing and<br />
violence.<br />
(Left) <strong>OCSEA</strong> leaders hold a<br />
press conference and rally<br />
near <strong>the</strong> prison to talk about<br />
increased violence at ToCI.<br />
14 Public Employee Quarterly<br />
Fall 2012
<strong>OCSEA</strong> leader speaks out against<br />
rising violence in DYS<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> member supporters from <strong>the</strong> Toledo<br />
<strong>are</strong>a come out for a press event to launch a<br />
new billboard on prison violence.<br />
A major staff assault at Scioto Juvenile Correctional<br />
Facility in September 2012 is just <strong>the</strong> latest in a series of<br />
assaults at <strong>the</strong> increasingly violent youth prison in Delaw<strong>are</strong><br />
County. This one was followed by <strong>the</strong> very public announcement<br />
that <strong>the</strong> superintendent of <strong>the</strong> facility would be<br />
stepping down.<br />
Juvenile Correction Officer Jody Dawson was assaulted<br />
by three youth, resulting in a broken nose, several stitches<br />
in <strong>the</strong> face as well as bruising.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> attack, <strong>OCSEA</strong> Chap. Pres. Karl Wilkins told <strong>the</strong><br />
Columbus Dispatch, “At this moment, we would say that it<br />
appears pretty violent.”<br />
Wilkins is right, of course. According to <strong>the</strong> Dispatch, violence<br />
at <strong>the</strong> prison has increased more than 23 percent from<br />
2010 to 2011, with 166 youth-on-youth assaults and 188<br />
youth-on-staff assaults being documented in 2011 alone.<br />
The number of Department of Youth Service facilities has<br />
been reduced by more than half, leaving <strong>the</strong> youth that<br />
remain in state juvenile facilities among <strong>the</strong> most violent in<br />
<strong>the</strong> system.<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 15
Giving back…<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> members continue to show<br />
what big hearts <strong>the</strong>y have by giving<br />
back <strong>the</strong>ir time and money to <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
communities.<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> members<br />
support CCC efforts<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> members have a history of giving<br />
back. In fact, every year, through <strong>the</strong><br />
Combined Charitable Campaign, state<br />
employees make payroll donations to charitable<br />
organizations all over <strong>the</strong> state. Even in <strong>the</strong> toughest<br />
of economic times, state employees continue<br />
to show <strong>the</strong>ir generosity to organizations like<br />
Community Sh<strong>are</strong>s, <strong>the</strong> United Way and hundreds<br />
of o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
During this year’s fall CCC drive, Kelvin Jones,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> Vice President and CCC co-chair representing<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, has pushed chapters to show <strong>the</strong>ir support<br />
for <strong>the</strong> cause and to encourage members to<br />
give back in a big way.<br />
Subordinate bodies like Franklin Chap. 2500, in<br />
partnership with management team members, held<br />
an informational <strong>fair</strong> and organized a cook-out to<br />
raise money for <strong>the</strong> work site campaign.<br />
(Top) Franklin<br />
Chap. 2500 Pres.<br />
Eldrid Davis (left)<br />
and CCC management<br />
co-chair<br />
Sharon Martin host<br />
a lunch at <strong>the</strong> Ohio<br />
State Fairgrounds.<br />
All contributions<br />
went to <strong>the</strong> campaign.<br />
(Above) Dallas Smith has served as Chap.<br />
2500’s CCC cook-out grill master for <strong>the</strong> past<br />
six years.<br />
Angela Wallace (far right), Franklin Chap. 2500, works with retiree<br />
Yvonne Foster-Smith (far left) to get CCC contributions at a recent<br />
information <strong>fair</strong> at <strong>the</strong> Adjutant General Armory in Columbus.<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> retirees like Foster-Smith <strong>are</strong> working closely with <strong>the</strong> CCC<br />
this year to collect contributions. Also pictured <strong>are</strong> <strong>OCSEA</strong> Vice Pres.<br />
Kelvin Jones and representatives of <strong>the</strong> United Way.<br />
Did your chapter raise<br />
money for CCC? Tell us at<br />
communications@ocsea.org<br />
16 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
again and again<br />
Labor helping labor<br />
Members of Allen County Chapter<br />
200 let United Steel Workers<br />
Local 624 know that <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
not alone during <strong>the</strong>ir four-month long strike<br />
against Husky Lima Refining Company. In<br />
solidarity, <strong>the</strong>y donated $1,000 to help <strong>the</strong><br />
striking workers with <strong>the</strong> ongoing costs of<br />
being off <strong>the</strong> job.<br />
(Right) Allen Chap. 200 leaders present<br />
USW Local 624 with a check for $1,000.<br />
(From left to right: USW’s Mike Edelbrock,<br />
Chap. 200’s Traci Carter, Peggy Erhart, Stacy<br />
Wolfe, and LaShonda Thompson-Napier.)<br />
2012 Horizon Award<br />
In an effort to recognize <strong>the</strong> numerous contributions<br />
to Ohio’s communities made by union members,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>’s Board of Directors established an annual<br />
award program. The Horizon Award honors and publicizes<br />
<strong>the</strong> often-overlooked acts of service, volunteerism, donation,<br />
and heroism made by <strong>OCSEA</strong> members.<br />
Two Horizon Award recipients were honored at <strong>the</strong><br />
August Board of Director’s meeting with a special ceremony<br />
and presented with a plaque. Andrew Hartsel,<br />
London Correctional, and Doug Mosier, Mansfield<br />
Correctional Institution, were <strong>the</strong> recipients of those<br />
awards for <strong>the</strong>ir continued service to <strong>the</strong>ir communities.<br />
“Their charitable efforts enrich and raise <strong>the</strong> quality of our<br />
neighborhoods and society,” said <strong>OCSEA</strong> Sec.-Treas Kathy<br />
Stewart. <strong>OCSEA</strong> made a donation of $250 each to <strong>the</strong><br />
charity of <strong>the</strong>ir choice.<br />
Recognizing <strong>the</strong> charitable work<br />
that OCSea members do in <strong>the</strong><br />
community is a high priority and<br />
is a major component of <strong>the</strong> OCSea<br />
Board of Directors’ 2013 Strategic<br />
Plan.<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 17
SUBORDINATE BODY MEETINGS & ELECTION NOTICES - Fall 2012<br />
Assemblies<br />
ODOT Assembly<br />
Nov. 17<br />
Chapters<br />
2320<br />
Dec. 10<br />
2500<br />
Jan. 17<br />
2538<br />
Nov. 28 &<br />
Dec. 14<br />
3700<br />
Nov. 14<br />
Meeting: 10am-12:30pm<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville<br />
Meeting: 6:30-8:30pm<br />
Top Hat Restaurant<br />
202 West Main St., Junction City<br />
Meeting: 6-8pm<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville<br />
Meetings: 11:30am-12:30pm<br />
RSC - 400 E. Campus View Blvd.,<br />
Columbus<br />
Meeting: 5-6:30 pm<br />
Ohio EPA-SEDO Bld- Rooms 104A&B<br />
2195 Front St., Logan<br />
Chapters<br />
7500<br />
Nov. 27<br />
7600<br />
Dec. 7<br />
7700<br />
Dec. 5<br />
Nov. 14 &<br />
Dec. 12<br />
8320<br />
Nov.13 &<br />
Dec. 11<br />
Winter 2013 Education Calendar<br />
WED 19<br />
Meeting: 5:30-6pm<br />
Quality Inn, 400 Folkerth Ave., Sidney<br />
Christmas Party: 6-9 pm<br />
Executive Catering<br />
5211 W. Tuscarawas, Canton<br />
E-Board: 5:30-8 p.m.<br />
Habachi Japan Steak House,<br />
2251 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls<br />
Meetings: 5:30-8 p.m.<br />
VFW Firestone Post 3383,<br />
690 West Waterloo Rd., Akron<br />
Meetings: 6-6:30p.m.<br />
The Family Village Inn,<br />
144 South Main St., Waynesville<br />
Submitting A Meeting Notice<br />
Next Issue: Winter 2013<br />
Last Day to Submit Notice: Jan. 12, 2013<br />
Earliest 15-day Meeting Date: March 5, 2013<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 for office in<br />
this election. If you <strong>are</strong> considering running<br />
for 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<br />
notices should be mailed to: IT Secretary<br />
Sha Cone, <strong>OCSEA</strong> 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Suite A, Westerville, OH 43082,<br />
OR faxed to 614-865-4032.<br />
Designed for<br />
Stewards<br />
To register for any of <strong>the</strong> follo<strong>win</strong>g classes, call <strong>the</strong> education registration hotline at 800-266-5615, ext. 4772 and<br />
follow <strong>the</strong> recorded instructions, or sign up online at www.ocsea.org/education beginning mid-November.<br />
If you’d like a class for your <strong>are</strong>a 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 classes <strong>are</strong> available or to schedule one for<br />
your <strong>are</strong>a on a just-in-time basis. Once you’ve recruited 10 people to attend a class, <strong>the</strong> class will be scheduled.<br />
THR 6<br />
MON 10<br />
WED 12<br />
DECEMBER<br />
Union Member Rights &<br />
Responsilities, 6pm-8pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville – Rm. 195<br />
Basic Steward Pt. 1, 6pm-9pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville – Rm. 195<br />
Basic Steward Pt. 2, 6pm-9pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm. 195<br />
Advanced Steward, 6pm-9pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm. 195<br />
TUES 8<br />
SAT 12<br />
WED 16<br />
WED 23<br />
THR 24<br />
SAT 26<br />
JANUARY<br />
Privatization Basics, 6pm-9pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm.195<br />
Basic Steward Pt. 1&2, 9am-<br />
4pm, <strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington<br />
Rd., Westerville - Rm. 195<br />
FMLA Basics, 6pm-9 pm, Holiday<br />
Inn, 4073 Medina Rd., Akron<br />
(Fairlawn)<br />
New Employee Orientation Facilitator<br />
Training for Formal Contractual<br />
Presentations, 6pm-9pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm.195<br />
Advanced Steward, 6pm-9pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm.195<br />
New Employee Orientation<br />
Facilitator Training for One-on-<br />
One Presentations, 10am-2pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm.195<br />
MON 4<br />
WED 6<br />
TUES 12<br />
THR 14<br />
WED 20<br />
SAT 23<br />
FEBRUARY<br />
Designed for<br />
all Members<br />
Basic Steward Pt. 1, 6pm-9pm,<br />
Holiday Inn, I-77 & I 480, 6001<br />
Rockside Rd., Independence<br />
Basic Steward Pt. 2, 6pm-9pm,<br />
Holiday Inn, I-77 & I-480, 6001<br />
Rockside Rd., Independence<br />
Basic Steward Pt. 1, 6pm-9pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm.195<br />
Basic Steward Pt. 2, 6pm-9pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm.195<br />
Advanced Steward, 6pm-9pm,<br />
Holiday Inn, I-77 & I-480, 6001<br />
Rockside Rd., Independence<br />
Advanced Steward, 10am-1pm,<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>, 390 Worthington Rd.,<br />
Westerville - Rm.195<br />
18 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
New Website – it’s here<br />
The new <strong>OCSEA</strong> website is here, and we want to<br />
know what you think! Head over to <strong>OCSEA</strong>.org<br />
to check it out! Email <strong>the</strong> webmaster at<br />
webmaster@ocsea.org. with your comments.<br />
If you spent any time on our old site, you'll probably notice<br />
right away that <strong>the</strong> new site is a lot smaller. We’ve taken over<br />
2,000 pages and condensed <strong>the</strong>m down to just <strong>the</strong> essentials.<br />
There <strong>are</strong> plenty of photos, videos and news stories about<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> members across Ohio.<br />
Your My<strong>OCSEA</strong> username and password is <strong>the</strong> same, and if<br />
you ever forget your login, recovering your password or creating<br />
a new account is easy on <strong>the</strong> new site.<br />
Benefits<br />
All member<br />
benefits <strong>are</strong> in<br />
one place. This<br />
includes discounts,<br />
coupons,<br />
scholarships,<br />
Union Benefits<br />
Trust, Union<br />
Education Trust<br />
and more.<br />
Events/Trainings<br />
The events calendar allows you to sort<br />
by month, type and location. For example,<br />
if you only want to see subordinate<br />
body events in Mansfield in October, you<br />
can do that now. You can also register for<br />
trainings with <strong>the</strong> click of a button.<br />
The Latest News<br />
Members-only<br />
content<br />
Steward<br />
Toolbox<br />
The toolbox<br />
<strong>are</strong>a has been<br />
revamped so you<br />
can more easily<br />
find <strong>the</strong> forms,<br />
documents, and<br />
contact information<br />
that you need.<br />
Videos<br />
Photos<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 19
Kicking off <strong>the</strong> GOTV<br />
2012 Presidents Conference a success<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> kicked off its Get Out <strong>the</strong> Vote efforts with a bang at<br />
<strong>the</strong> Presidents Conference held in Columbus. Workshops<br />
on legislative activity, phone banking, canvassing and GOTV<br />
strategy were packed with members. Keynote speakers included candidates<br />
for <strong>the</strong> Ohio Supreme Court: William O'Neill, Yvette McGee<br />
Brown and Michael Skindell. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown also appe<strong>are</strong>d<br />
via video and encouraged conference participants to continue <strong>the</strong> fight<br />
this election year. A rousing game of “What’s in Jeopardy?” during lunch<br />
showed <strong>OCSEA</strong> members what <strong>the</strong>y could have lost if Senate Bill 5 had<br />
passed, and why GOTV efforts <strong>are</strong> just as important this election.<br />
(Right) Members play <strong>the</strong><br />
“What’s in Jeopardy” game<br />
during lunch.<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> Pres.<br />
Christopher<br />
Mabe sh<strong>are</strong>s<br />
<strong>the</strong> stage with<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>-endorsed<br />
Ohio Supreme<br />
Court Candidates<br />
William O'Neill,<br />
Yvette McGee-<br />
Brown and Mike<br />
Skindell.<br />
Jewelyn Crockett, Trumbull Chap. 7810, Pat Burdock, BWC<br />
Chap. 1810, and Cheryl Brown, Trumbull Chap. 7810, enjoy<br />
<strong>the</strong> conference.<br />
(Left and below)<br />
Members enjoy<br />
speaking with<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>-endorsed<br />
candidates during<br />
<strong>the</strong> candidate<br />
meet-and-greet.<br />
(Below)<strong>OCSEA</strong> Secy.-Treas.<br />
Kathy Stewart quizzes<br />
contestants during <strong>the</strong> game.<br />
(Left) <strong>OCSEA</strong> Pres.<br />
Christopher Mabe speaks<br />
with members of Summit Co.<br />
Chap. 7700 during <strong>the</strong><br />
conference.<br />
(Below) Members get a sneak<br />
peak at <strong>OCSEA</strong>’s new website.<br />
( Left and above left)<br />
Members ready to<br />
help Get Out <strong>the</strong> Vote<br />
pack workshops<br />
on canvassing and<br />
legislative activity.<br />
20 Public Employee Quarterly Fall 2012
Stewards got down to business at <strong>the</strong> 2012 Steward<br />
Conference on Sept. 29. Highlights included keynote<br />
speaker Robert M. Schwartz, an expert on stewards’ rights<br />
and author of ‘Just Cause,’ and a presentation on fighting privatization.<br />
Participants attended workshops on managing grievance processes,<br />
using social media, communicating with management and<br />
understanding <strong>the</strong> viewpoint of an arbitrator. GOTV efforts were in<br />
full s<strong>win</strong>g, with members volunteering for phone banks, Scrub Off<br />
events and canvassing in support of Issue 2.<br />
2012<br />
Conference<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> Pres. Christopher Mabe, Vice Pres. Kelvin Jones and<br />
Secy.-Treas. Kathy Stewart with Norma Goode (center), Chap. 2599,<br />
a lucky raffle <strong>win</strong>ner.<br />
Participants sign up for GOTV opportunities and a chance to <strong>win</strong><br />
some great Yes on Issue 2 swag.<br />
ave<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> Education Representative Pat Hammel, <strong>OCSEA</strong> Education<br />
Dept., explains how to safely use social media for personal and<br />
union network-building.<br />
RE CUSED<br />
Next Wave: Refocused<br />
Members of all ages came for <strong>the</strong> Next Wave<br />
Happy Hour to learn about <strong>OCSEA</strong>'s revamped program,<br />
Next Wave: Refocused. Mentors and new<br />
activists came toge<strong>the</strong>r Sept. 28 to show it will take<br />
everyone in <strong>the</strong> union to build <strong>the</strong> next generation<br />
of union activists.<br />
It’s no longer about how old you <strong>are</strong>, but, ra<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
about gro<strong>win</strong>g and educating <strong>the</strong> next wave of<br />
union activists, regardless of age, to lead in both <strong>the</strong><br />
workplace and in <strong>the</strong> union.<br />
“With more union activists approaching retirement,<br />
we have to do everything we can to continue<br />
building <strong>the</strong> union’s strength among new activist<br />
members. For <strong>the</strong> Next Wave: Refocused program to<br />
succeed, we need <strong>the</strong> help of committed new activists<br />
AND <strong>the</strong> current leaders to mentor up-and-coming<br />
activists,” said Next Wave activist and Mansfield<br />
Corrections Officer Ron Burgess. Get involved at<br />
Facebook.com/OhioNextWave.<br />
Keynote speaker Robert M. Schwartz signs copies of his book<br />
‘Just Cause’ for members.<br />
Fall 2012 Public Employee Quarterly 21<br />
FO<br />
A NEW APPROACH TO GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF UNION ACTIVISTS
“Veterans<br />
Appreciation Day ”<br />
365<br />
Seeking out <strong>OCSEA</strong> veterans and encouraging <strong>the</strong>m to apply for <strong>the</strong><br />
benefits <strong>the</strong>y <strong>are</strong> due was <strong>the</strong> main <strong>the</strong>me at <strong>the</strong> 2012 <strong>OCSEA</strong> Veterans<br />
Committee Conference, held in Columbus at <strong>OCSEA</strong> Headquarters.<br />
Speakers Chuck Studebaker, a volunteer with <strong>the</strong> Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans<br />
Hospital, and Bill Hartnett, <strong>the</strong> first Director of Veterans Services in Ohio,<br />
revealed that only one in 10 veterans have signed up for benefits. They encouraged<br />
veterans to take advantage of what <strong>the</strong>y <strong>are</strong> entitled to by registering with<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ohio Veterans Administration.<br />
Are you a veteran or know someone<br />
who is? Call 877-OHio-vet and register<br />
for your Veterans Benefits today.<br />
Chuck Studebaker, a representative from<br />
Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Hospital, shows<br />
his Veterans Benefits card.<br />
(Above) Workshops covered<br />
veterans benefits and<br />
USERRA rights.<br />
(Right) Payton Ivy from<br />
Lucas Chap. 4800<br />
asks questions about<br />
veterans benefits.<br />
Bill Hartnett, a member of <strong>the</strong> Ohio Veterans<br />
Hall of Fame, urges all veterans to take<br />
advantage of <strong>the</strong> benefits due to <strong>the</strong>m for<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir service.<br />
Murals in honor of veterans unveiled at <strong>the</strong> conference were<br />
created by an inmate at Noble County Correctional Institution.<br />
(Left) Leaders from <strong>OCSEA</strong> Dist. 2 pose for <strong>the</strong> camera.<br />
22 Public Employee Quarterly<br />
Fall 2012
AFL-CIO Labor Day Picnic 2012<br />
Even <strong>the</strong> rain couldn’t keep union activists from<br />
celebrating American workers during <strong>the</strong> 26 th AFL-CIO<br />
Labor Day Picnic at Coney Island in Cincinnati. <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
District 2 and Hamilton-Clermont Chapter 310 leaders reached out<br />
about Get Out <strong>the</strong> Vote activities and registered community members<br />
to vote. The picnic featured music, games and face-painting for<br />
union families, along with plenty of political and labor activities.<br />
Dist. 2 Pres. Michelle Hunter helps<br />
out <strong>the</strong> catering team at <strong>the</strong> event.<br />
These future union members didn’t<br />
let <strong>the</strong> rain stop <strong>the</strong>m from having a<br />
good time.<br />
of Workers<br />
(Below) Politicians were on hand to introduce <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />
to voters. Pictured: Hamilton County Treasurer<br />
candidate Jeff Cramerding talks to an <strong>OCSEA</strong> member.<br />
Members have a ball at<br />
Union Night at <strong>the</strong> Crew!<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> members and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir families ended<br />
<strong>the</strong> summer with a<br />
bang at Union Night with <strong>the</strong><br />
Columbus Crew on Sept. 29.<br />
The Columbus Major League<br />
soccer team took advantage<br />
of its game against <strong>the</strong> MLS<br />
Philadelphia Union to honor<br />
Ohio union workers, including<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong> members and o<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
from <strong>the</strong> Ohio AFL-CIO.<br />
Nicknamed “America’s<br />
Hardest Working Team,” <strong>the</strong><br />
Crew said <strong>the</strong>y held <strong>the</strong> event<br />
to “make sure that we <strong>are</strong> taking<br />
c<strong>are</strong> of America’s hardest working<br />
people.” The event included<br />
special ticket prices, reserved<br />
seating and events for union<br />
families.<br />
The first 100 <strong>OCSEA</strong><br />
ticket holders received<br />
a green Solidarity foam<br />
finger with <strong>the</strong> slogan<br />
“Unions: <strong>the</strong> folks who<br />
brought you <strong>the</strong> weekend.”<br />
Fall 2012<br />
Public<br />
Employee Quarterly 23
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 />
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY<br />
feature stories<br />
2<br />
F A L L 2 0 1 2<br />
WHO'S got YOUR BACK?<br />
Comparing <strong>the</strong> presidential candidates<br />
3 Mitt Romney has a history of stretching <strong>the</strong> truth...<br />
departments<br />
6<br />
18<br />
18<br />
<strong>When</strong> <strong>elections</strong> <strong>are</strong> <strong>fair</strong>,<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>PEOPLE</strong> <strong>win</strong>.<br />
FroM THE PreSident<br />
Meeting notiCES<br />
EDUCation Calendar<br />
Vote Yes on 2<br />
4-5 Stop SB 5 from ever happening again.<br />
7-9<br />
Support candidates who support YOU!<br />
<strong>OCSEA</strong>-endorsed, labor-friendly candidates<br />
10-11<br />
Getting Out <strong>the</strong> Vote in 2012<br />
What <strong>OCSEA</strong> members can do for GOTV<br />
12-13<br />
Voter Suppression:<br />
Alive and Well in OhiO