Local leaders, retirees join stewards for Oct. 4 conference in Columbus
Event featured GOTV efforts, link between politics and public employee jobs, contract administration tools

Oct. 8, 2008 - OCSEA leaders know that political factors impact public employees and government services each and every day.

That's why OCSEA Pres. Eddie Parks on Saturday urged all union activists to Get Out The Vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and make change that matters for all Ohio families.

Because the Oct. 4 Stewards Conference occurred just one month before the upcoming presidential election, OCSEA this year invited all union activists — not just stewards.

The union's Labor 2008 efforts focus on member-to-member communications about issues that impact middle class families and the importance of supporting candidates who support public employee union members and the vital public services OCSEA members deliver daily in Ohio communities.

Union activists heard from various speakers and browsed the first-ever PEOPLE Mall, learning more about the issues at stake this November. The mall made a huge impression on members who gathered information, purchased union t-shirts, entered basket raffles, signed up for drawings, and posed for photos with OCSEA’s new van. Campaign posters and t-shirts also were sold, with all proceeds going to PEOPLE. A limited supply is still available.

Activists learned about hosting work site union fairs, volunteering for targeted Ohio House races, and qualifying for free gas cards through the Gear Up & Gas Up for PEOPLE program.

The agenda offered opportunities for stewards to hone their skills. Workshops included: OIL and workers compensation; investigatory interviews; settlement skills; PEOPLE recruitment; and member mobilization.

Many seasoned activists and retirees answered OCSEA's call to invite a "Next Waver" (under age 35) along to continue building a strong union. Several visited the Next Wave booth and signed up for text messaging updates or asked how they could get involved.

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Posters and T-shirts

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