ODOT leaders hold successful phone bank, announce negotiating team

Sept. 24, 2008 - The Ohio Department of Transportation Assembly held a phone bank this past Saturday, and spoke to around 200 fellow OCSEA members about the importance of supporting a union-friendly candidate this November.

“It went well,” said Jenny Poole, Delaware 2100, district 6 steward chapter president. “Time went by really quick. I felt like I had to give something back to OCSEA, and phone banking let me do that.”

The assembly meeting itself focused on discussing upcoming agency-specific negotiations as well at the Nov. 4 elections.
The firs order of business was to announce the negotiating team, which includes Willa O’Neill, Kate Callahan, Margaret Smith, Gary Apanasewicz, and Richard Stoudt.

The bargaining team will begin training today, Wednesday, Sept. 24. Team members were asked to read over the contract thoroughly prior to training so they may be prepared with any questions.

“Principle bargaining is about meeting the interests of the other party,” said John Gersper, staff representative, reminding the team to cooperate and try to come to an agreement between parties.

Assembly President Willa O’Neill also asked the assembly to remind ODOT members that the upcoming negotiations are only regarding issues specific to the agency, such as  the HT series, and safety issues. ODOT’s specific contract can be found between pages 289-300 in the contract book.

Leaders also emphasized the importance of the Nov. 4 election, in terms of both bargaining and the future state of the economy.
OCSEA Pres. Eddie Parks spoke at the assembly, sympathizing with ODOT workers for the current condition of the economy.

“Times are hard,” said Parks. “No one’s better off today than they were four or eight years ago. State agencies affect people’s lives every day. Vote your job. Vote for the future of your kids. The White House is our house, and we need it back.”

Parks also encouraged leaders to go out and get AFSCME PEOPLE contributions. He announced that 172 new PEOPLE cards had been signed in the past week alone.

“You have to pay to play,” he said. “We come to dinner, and we want a steak like everybody else, when all we’re getting is baloney sandwiches.”

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