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General Session Secretary-Treasurer Kathy Stewart and VP Christopher Mabe applaud in support of (right) President Eddie Parks' remarks in General Session.

Workshops OCSEA Executive Director Andy Douglas responds to a question at a workshop.

Booths Union Benefits Trust staff offer timely materials on vision, dental, life and more.

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Steward skill honored at conference

Oct. 2, 2007 - The OCSEA Stewards Conference roared back to life with over 250 members attending the first statewide stewards event in several years. With the advent of the new Steward Recognition Program it was only natural that an event be marshaled to showcase stewards’ service and recognize their dedication.

President Eddie Parks addressed the crowd of stewards and leaders in his first major public address since being elected OCSEA’s new president.

“We have brought you here today to let you know – under my watch our stewards will receive the support necessary to provide excellent representation to every bargaining unit member represented by OCSEA,” he told them.

Governor Strickland’s Chief of Staff John Hasley also spoke about the Governor’s plan to Turn Around Ohio and how front line state employees will have a role in that.

Executive Director Andy Douglas gave the crowd several examples of why the work of the union steward is so important and stressed that not serving the rank and file, as OCSEA is required to do by law, has had some dire monetary consequences for OCSEA.

Keynote speaker Elaine Bernard, Executive Director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School, called on members to remember that the union is not embodied in central office nor in their staff representative.

The union is most truly represented at the chapter level where most members experience “the union” in the form of the steward who is representing them, she said.

Bernard also told the crowd that the real decline in unionism is in the private sector and that public sector unions, which have seen their ranks swell, need to look carefully at this phenomenon.

In the afternoon, participants enjoyed workshops specific to the duties of stewards such as one on Working Out of Class, Article 36.05 of the state contract, where participants played bingo to test their skill at spotting bargaining unit members working out of class.

Chapter leaders received boxes of incentives for stewards including jackets, shirts and pins. Leaders are encouraged to award these incentives at local ceremonies and events in their chapters

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• Information Booths
• General Session & Speakers
• Workshops & Luncheons

See Related

Keynote speaker Elaine Bernard's Presentation (PDF)

Steward Recognition Request Form (PDF)

Basic Stewards Training

Advanced Stewards Training