Weekend conference offers tools for building union power, getting legislative results

The BUP 9 event theme was "Going from Good to Great by Pulling Together." PHOTO ALBUMS

OCSEA President Eddie L. Parks stands shoulder to shoulder with friend of labor and broadcaster Ed Schultz at the April 18 Solidarity Dinner.

April 21, 2009 - Interested in moving OCSEA from "good to great," more than 300 unionists gathered April 17 - 18 in Columbus for the Building Union Power 9 Conference.

Subordinate body leaders, local stewards, new activists, rank-and-file members, and staff on Saturday morning were greeted warmly by the upbeat tune "Ain't no stopping us now" by McFadden and Whitehead and encouraging words of OCSEA President Eddie L. Parks, "We will pull together to make this union great."

Event speakers, activities, and workshops supported the theme,
"Going from Good to Great by Pulling Together." In fact, workshop participants learned about: media interviewing skills, building legislator relationships, mobilizing with PEOPLE, and why two high-profile bills—Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)—matter to public employee union members.

Conferees took time to write U.S. Senators Brown and Voinovich, urging them to move America forward by supporting HCAN and EFCA. The OCSEA / AFSCME PEOPLE program – Public Employees Organized for Political and Legislative Equality – gives union members a voice on these bills at the federal, state, and local government level.

"If we are going to be a voice that politicians listen to, we need the resources. And those resources don't come from your union dues, they come from PEOPLE," Parks said of the OCSEA / AFSCME political action committee fund and its voice in government.

Saturday morning speakers also included: Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks, State of Ohio Treasurer Kevin Bocce, Ohio AFL-CIO President Joe Rugola, and AFSCME International Regional Director Steve Fantauzzo.

Ed Schultz, a broadcasting veteran of 30 years, was an outstanding speaker and got everyone at the Solidarity Dinner riled up to fight for the Employee Free Choice Act. He said the bipartisan bill is the issue for working families, adding that we’re just getting started. He currently hosts a progressive radio talk show and a new television program on MSNBC, The Ed Show.

"We’re just approaching the 100 day mark. We need to hold our elected leaders accountable; we need to hold their feet to the fire. And, if they don’t support us, then we’re not going to support them," Schultz said. "Now is the time to get this thing passed. If we don’t do it now, when will we? If the House and the Senate don’t do what we want, 'Big Eddie' is going to shame them on national TV.”

High Performance Initiative Award recipients were also honored Saturday evening. HPI recognizes outstanding subordinate body efforts in the following areas: internal organizing, coalition building, communications, administration, and innovation.

Check back for more details and the list of winners.

See Related

About Ed Schultz

About PEOPLE

Employee Free Choice Act

Health Care for America Now