BUP 10 conference offers 5 workshops

March 3, 2010 - Union activists will have the opportunity at the Building Union Power 10 Conference, set for March 26-27, 2010 in Columbus, to choose two out of five workshops:

• Building Stronger Chapters
  through Internal Organizing
• Bam! Pow! Kaboom!
  Unleashing Labor’s Political Power
• The Rise of Public Sector Unions in America
• An Introduction to OCSEA History
• What’s Happening at OPERS? An overview of the possible changes to the benefit plan.
  

Check out the workshop descriptions below.

Register online or call the OCSEA Education Registration Hotline at 800-266-5615, ext. 4772. For additional event details, contact Judi Ayers at 800-266-5615, ext. 2656 or at jayers@ocsea.org.

Building Stronger Chapters through Internal Organizing
President Parks appointed members and leaders to the OCSEA Internal Organizing Taskforce and charged them to develop a plan to build stronger chapters through internal organizing. The Taskforce recommendations provide a blueprint for chapters that aligns with the AFSCME 21st Century goals for building a strong union. This workshop will explain the Taskforce plans that include the rollout of a new OCSEA Leadership Academy, a Next Wave initiative, an updated New Employee Orientation program and other resources available to build your chapters.

Bam! Pow! Kaboom!  Unleashing Labor’s Political Power
We know how important it is for labor to be involved in politics.  We have the power to shape the future for all working families at the local, state and national level. Getting our union Brothers and Sisters involved is the key to our success in the political arena.  This highly interactive workshop will show you how easy it is to have a political discussion with other members and give you useful tools to recruit political activists.

The Rise of Public Sector Unions in America
Take a journey through labor’s past to better understand where public sector workers are today. Participants will look at the historical changes in union membership over time and explorewhat those changes will mean for the future of public sector workers and all working people. Participants will explore the historical linkage between political action and winning workers rights and the impact these actions have on all working families today.

John Russo, coordinator of the Labor Studies Program in the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University, will lead this work shop.

About Russo:

• Received his doctorate from University of Massachusettes, Amherst
• Writer of labor and social issues
• National expert on labor unions and working class issues
• Co-founder of YSU's Center for Working-Class Studies, which has received two major Ford Foundation grants

An Introduction to OCSEA History
Why was OCSEA formed? What has OCSEA accomplished during its’ existence? Who were our leaders in the past? How have events in the world around us shaped our history? Come for a lively discussion about where we’ve been and how our history can inform where we can go in the future
 
What’s Happening at OPERS? An overview of the possible changes to the benefit plan.

This workshop will review the recommended changes the OPERS Board of Trustees presented to the Ohio General Assembly.  The series of changes to the current benefit plan are designed to maintain the strength of the pension fund and allow continued contributions to the health care fund.  Participants will be explore what led to these recommendations, the Board’s specific recommendations as well as the proposed transition plan for consideration by the General Assembly.

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