Day 1: Convention kicks off on virtual platform

The OCSEA first virtual convention began on Thursday with a full morning schedule of presenters and speakers. OCSEA Pres. Chris Mabe banged the virtual gavel welcoming more than 441 delegates and 60 alternates to the union’s 34th Biennial Convention.

Welcoming delegates to the convention in the morning were Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and new Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley. Commissioner Crawley thanked OCSEA front line workers and called out our members for stepping up in Ohio’s time of need:

Especially during this pandemic, you were called upon to make daily sacrifices to your own health and safety to make sure we were safe. You made sure our water and food were safe. You maintained our infrastructure. You helped a record number of unemployed workers. You helped injured workers get on their feet. And you took care of our most vulnerable citizens in our state facilities. For that I am eternally grateful.”

For the first time in the union’s history, the U.S. Labor Secretary addressed OCSEA conventioneers. Pres. Mabe told attendees, “We finally have a Labor Secretary that’s—believe it or not—pro-labor.”  Marty Walsh, himself a life-long member of his Laborer’s Union, addressed OCSEA delegates directly about their important work during this last year:

“I know you worked around the clock to protect your communities and help the most vulnerable. If you lost friends, relatives or loved ones, my heart goes out to you. You are the backbone of our communities. And I will never forget that.”

Walsh also said that now is the time to invest in unions and that it’s unions that are going to rebuild America, with workers at the center of the economy. He said that this is a proudly, pro-union administration and that the “middle class built American, and unions built the middle class.”

The delegates also heard from the Presidents of Eastern Gateway Community College and Central State University who both praised OCSEA for being early advocates for the Free College program. That program has saved $6 million in tuition for OCSEA members and their families, President Mabe told delegates.

Amy Kelly from Prudential Insurance in partnership with Union Benefits Trust, fielded a lot of important questions from convention attendees during her lunchtime presentation on financial wellness and retirement. Go HERE to take a survey of her presentation and access financial planning forms.

Delegates also heard from Dennis Willard from We Are Ohio on what that organization and the other unions are doing to expose the lies of the Freedom Foundation and the Buckeye Institute. Willard encourages members to tell their stories of being contacted by the Fake Freedom Foundation here: weareohio.com/freedomfoundation

Pres. Mabe thanked attendees for their understanding during the union’s first virtual convention. “We’re going to make mistakes, so we appreciate everyone’s patience as we navigate a convention virtually for the first time,” he said.

Don’t forget that questions can be answered at the Customer Service Zoom room HERE.