OCSEA President Chris Mabe wants to keep the momentum of solidarity from the OCSEA Convention going, urging all OCSEA members to support AFSCME Iowa Council 61 in any way they can.
Last week, we told you about the amazing outpouring of support by OCSEA leaders for our AFSCME Iowa brothers and sisters whose union rights are under massive attack.
Convention guest speaker Danny Homan, President of AFSCME Iowa Council 61, told the convention delegation about the nightmare his state union is facing. He was not looking for a handout but, rather, was heeding a warning of the attacks that could soon be coming Ohio's way. "No thanks to anti-union politicians," he detailed, his union lost their ability to bargain for vacation, sick leave, health care, layoffs, seniority and almost every other contract provisions in February of this year. They also lost payroll dues deduction, an automatic hit to their union’s ability to fully represent members, he said tearfully yet angrily.
Holding up Iowa's newly "negotiated" contract––now only a few dozen pages or so long and a shell of what it once was––he urged OCSEA leaders to spread the word about the devastation that comes with a "contract without a spine."
President Mabe says, as we head into contract negotiations with Ohio later this year, that we must remember Iowa's message and spread the importance of a union contract in public work. "A contract WITH a spine is the only way to have a true voice. We've not yet felt the pain that Iowa has, but we could. And just like with Senate Bill 5, we have to stand together and fight for our contract––a contract substantial enough to have a physical spine as well as a metaphorical spine, something with a real back bone. If we stand together, just like with SB 5, we are an unstoppable force."
Homan’s emotional and powerful address to the convention delegation resulted in subordinate body and individual pledges totaling nearly $40,000. These donations will help Homan and his members fight the attacks in Iowa and rebuild the council. “An injury to one, is an injury to all,” said OCSEA Board Member Jim LaRocca, as he donated from his Chapter 1801.
President Mabe says the Iowa Council will need as much help as it can get. He is encouraging all subordinate bodies and OCSEA members to financially donate, as they are able.
"Every month that goes by, our Iowa Council risks staff layoffs and total annihilation as we know it. Every dollar, even if you only have $1, will help in this fight," he said.
Electronic donation is currently pending. Until that is finalized, subordinate bodies and OCSEA members can donate to the cause by:
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Making checks out to “Council 61” and sending them to the OCSEA Comptroller's Department at OCSEA Headquarters, 390 Worthington Road, Westerville, OH 43082. Include "Iowa 61 Support Fund" on any correspondence.