OCSEA activists informed public, gathered petition signatures to oppose displacement of laid-off Statehouse workers with inmates

OCSEA activists asked people to join the union in urging legislators to restore funding, reject the use of inmates, and return laid-off Statehouse bargaining unit employees to their jobs. PHOTO ALBUM

May 20, 2009 - On Wednesday afternoon 71 union activists used their lunch time to get the word out to hundreds of people about the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board's plan to displace laid-off state employees with an inmate work release program.

Volunteers passed out fliers, talked to people about the union's concerns (PDF), and gathered more than 1,200 petition signatures in support of the laid-off bargaining unit employees who perform custodial, grounds keeping and other duties at the Ohio Statehouse.

See below for three ways you can stand together in union solidarity and urge legislators to restore funding, stop the inmate work release program, and return bargaining unit employees to their jobs:

1. EMAIL YOUR STATE SENATOR - Please call or write your state senators and urge them to stop any plans that would replace laid-off workers with inmates.
   
   
2. TELL-A-FRIEND - If you've already written to your state senators, send an email asking your friends, co-workers and family to do the same.
   
   
3. DOWNLOAD-N-SHARE (PDF) - Print or email the "Is your Job Next" flier.

Many who signed the petition or took extra fliers to share with family, friends and co-workers echoed many of the union's concerns about eliminating good-paying jobs for law-abiding citizens, safety issues, and care for our historic Statehouse building, garage, and well-tended grounds.

The action event, organized by OCSEA / DAS Chapter 2570 leaders, took place 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on all four corners of the Statehouse and in front of the Rhodes State Office Tower and the Riffe Building.

OCSEA Pres. Eddie L. Parks last month contacted state officials and legislators, asking for reconsideration. In addition, OCSEA members have written nearly 300 letters urging state senators to help stop the proposed program and asking CSRAB to call back the laid-off workers.

See Related

Support OCSEA Statehouse work at May 20 lunchtime event

Chapter 2570 to hold action event May 20 to stop job loss

OCSEA voices heard on substituting inmates for laid-off workers at Statehouse