Cincinnati
AFL-CIO
Labor Council
News & Updates
Friday, July 24, 2020
"In Memoriam"
Pray for the Dead, Fight Like Hell for the Living!
This video is a "Must Watch. It honors essential workers who have died after exposure to COVID-19. An untold number, in the thousands, have lost their lives while providing food, medicine, sanitation, transport and other vital good and services to the rest of us. Millions more are still at risk. Labor, safety and climate activists are calling on the U.S. Senate to take action NOW to protect essential workers in the next COVID-19 relief bill.

Millions of workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis are saving lives, delivering necessities, sanitizing public spaces, and staffing essential businesses. And they’re doing it without proper equipment and safety standards. Tragically, thousands of frontline workers have lost their lives and countless more are at risk unless vital protections are put in place. Yet the Senate has failed to pass a federal stimulus package and include critically needed safety and health protections and resources.

The video, Pray for the dead and fight for the living, “In Memoriam,” takes its name from a quote attributed to Mary Harris Jones, or Mother Jones as she was popularly known, a legendary labor activist from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She devoted herself to the cause of workers, from coal mines to garment mills, railing against abusive working conditions, against child labor, against poverty. Once, when rallying a group of unionized coal miners in West Virginia, she said, “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living!”

Pray for the dead and fight for the living, “In Memoriam,” debuted in July, honoring essential workers who have lost their lives after exposure to COVID-19 — and provide information about how you can help win life-saving protections for those still on the job. You can view the entire online debut of this wonderful video tribute by clicking on the button below.
Tell the Senate:
Get to Work and Pass the HEROES Act!
It’s hard to believe. Coronavirus cases and unemployment numbers are climbing, but Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent the Senate home without debating the HEROES Act, the next coronavirus economic relief package.

The House passed the HEROES Act on May 15. Yet for two months, the Senate has not brought this critical legislation to the floor, nor has it proposed an alternative solution. The number of people who have been infected with COVID-19 has exponentially increased in nearly every state, and millions of Americans have been left unemployed through no fault of their own. 


The HEROES Act was designed to save lives and livelihoods. Without action, working people are going to continue to get sick on the job and/or lose their jobs. It has become clear that uncoordinated piecemeal actions will not stop the spread, save the economy or lead the economy. The importance of a federal response cannot be overstated.


In Solidarity, 
Team AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO President Trumka on Bloomberg TV
Yesterday, Thursday, July 23, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka (UMWA)  joined Bloomberg TV  to talk about the need for an emergency temporary standard from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, passing the HEROES Act and the importance of extending unemployment insurance. President Richard Trumka joined  Bloomberg Television  to talk about the need for an OSHA ETS, passing the  #HEROESAct  and the importance of extending unemployment insurance.
Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga:
RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE !
Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid Committee
Senate Concurrent Resolution 14- Proponent Testimony
June 9th, 2020
Tim Burga
President, Ohio AFL-CIO

Chairman Burke, Vice-Chairman Huffman, Ranking Member Antonio, and members of the Senate Health, Human Services and Medicaid committee, I am Tim Burga, President of the state’s labor federation, the Ohio AFL-CIO. The Ohio AFL-CIO represents over 1 million active and retired private and public sector union members covering a wide segment of the economy.

With the appalling death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers, caught on video for the world to see, and the subsequent uprising of Americans to denounce racial injustice, the Ohio AFL-CIO will provide our voice and actions for this to be a turning point in American history. Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 (S.C.R. 14) is a needed step toward justice and we support its stated premise that the impact of racism on public health deserves action from all levels of government.

Racism plays a menacing role in the daily lives of working people of color. This is a labor issue because it is a public health issue and a workplace issue. As a labor movement, we will continue our role in the struggle for social and economic justice and will add our voice so that we move forward as a state and nation, together to rid society of prejudice, bigotry and racism.

As Ohio’s labor movement, we too are angered by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. What happened to them has happened to far too many unarmed people of color for centuries. The difference now is that we are seeing these tragic events play out on television and on social media. We can’t deny these killings are happening, nor can we look away because we feel uncomfortable. We stand strong today in the fight for dignity, life and liberty for everyone at the intersection of economic justice and civil rights.

Although not perfect, labor unions have been important allies of the African American struggle for freedom and justice. I am proud to say that my home union, the United Steelworkers, and other industrial unions in particular were early supporters of the modern-day civil rights movement. These unions believed that workers of color and their fate was intertwined with that of white workers; that questions of economic security and anti-discrimination were joined at the hip. And, as a united labor movement, this continues to serve as a guiding principle of the AFLCIO.

At the time of organized labor’s peak influence in the 1960s, race relations, voting rights and economic justice were converging in significant ways. In 1963, A. Philip Randolph, founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and the namesake of AFL-CIO’s senior constituency group (APRI), and Martin Luther King, Jr. joined forces in the nation’s capitol to execute the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Significant organized labor presence was on hand at the march with UAW President Walther Reuther playing a major role in the planning and execution of the event.

After the march, Dr. King and other civil rights leaders met with President Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson at the White House, where they discussed the need for bipartisan support of civil rights legislation. Though they were passed after Kennedy’s death, the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 reflect the demands of the march. I am proud to say that many labor unions and their leaders, including my home union and my father who was a local union president at J&L Steel in Stark County publicly advocated for passage of these landmark bills.

Now, we must recognize it is time to reach another level in our ongoing pursuit for racial harmony and a more perfect union. The Ohio AFL-CIO stands in solidarity against the forces of hate that seek to divide this nation for their own personal and political motive. United in purpose we seek to advance the cause of peace, equality and justice for all.

Let us come together at this moment in time to address and dismantle racism, and as a needed step, pass S.C.R. 14 to expand society’s understanding of racism and how it affects individual and population health. We stand in strong support and urge passage of S.C.R. 14 that authorizes the Governor to establish a working group to promote racial equity throughout this state.

Thank you Mr. Chairman for the opportunity to testify in support of S.C.R. 14.
Tim Burga,
President, Ohio AFL-CIO
The Voter Suppression Playbook
An Online Screening and Panel Discussion
Of the Multiple Award Winning Documentary

RIGGED: The Voter Suppression Playbook

With the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council &
Faith Community Alliance

In collaboration with
American Issues Initiative

Aug. 13 th  @ 7 PM
Watch The Trailer NOW
  • RIGGED: The Voter Suppression Playbook is an award-winning documentary that exposes the nefarious tactics used to suppress the vote and serves to spark discussion on the actions needed to protect our democracy.
  • Shot principally during the 2016 election, the film tracks a systematic, decade-long effort to reverse the impact of the growing demographic tide of non-white and younger voters who helped elect President Barack Obama in 2008.
  • RIGGED details a variety of voter suppression “plays,” or tactics, ranging from the purging of voting rolls and passing of new, restrictive voter ID laws to gerrymandering and voter intimidation.
  • The film includes revealing interviews with Republican strategists detailing how the voter suppression game is played as well as cogent insights from leading voting rights advocates, law professors and Democratic strategists. It is narrated by Tony & Emmy award-winning actor, Jeffrey Wright. 
Join us for this exclusive screening of Rigged with a panel discussion on the topic of: Democracy in the time of COVID-19. This screening will be presented via Zoom Webinar. Registration is required and the Zoom Event link will be emailed to all RSVPs 48 hours in advance of the screening.
Have you been purged?

Between 2016 and 2018, over 17 million names were purged from voter rolls across the United States.

The 2020 election is less than six months away.

Is your registration safe?

Not yet registered to vote?
Special thanks to American Issues Initiative for making this screening possible. The American Issues Initiative has a simple charge: to inform and educate the American public about the pressing issues of our day – from criminal justice to education to the challenges of maintaining the vibrancy of our democracy.

The Initiative will seek to maintain a narrow, laser focus – tackling one critical issue at a time. But equally important is to give voice to viable solutions, ones that we believe will make America a better, fairer place for Americans of every race, creed and sex.

To tell our story, America’s story, we paint on a broad canvas utilizing every content platform: film, video, the web and social media.
Better Call Paul!
To Get your Team Registered for the 2020
Cincinnati Labor Council Golf Tournament!
There's still room for a few more teams and there are Hole Sponsorships and other opportunities for you to participate and support the CLC at the 33rd annual Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council Golf Tournament.
Give Paul a call: 513-421-1846 x2,

Paul is waiting to hear from you!
Labor Day Picnic Tradition
Canceled Due to Corona Virus
First Time in 35 Years
Dear Sisters, Brothers and Friends,

Every year at this time starting back around 1985, the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council sends out its annual Labor Day Picnic/Coney Island invitation to our union affiliates, their members and working families, and to our Friends of Labor. We would all be preparing for one of the largest, most recognized Labor-sponsored Labor Day picnics in the country, hosting speakers including Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Vice Presidents Joe Biden and Al Gore, and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

Unfortunately, as you know, 2020 isn’t a normal year and we are not living in ordinary times. As a Labor movement, and as a nation, we are facing difficult challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, a national economic collapse, and a game-changing racial/social justice activism movement unlike anything we’ve experienced in decades. We are also preparing for one of the biggest, most important elections in our lifetimes, with opportunities to elect pro-Union, pro-working family candidates to our courts, to county and state government offices, and to the U.S. Congress and Presidency of the United States.

For the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council and our union affiliates, our highest priority is the health, well-being and safety of our union members and their families. After full consideration of all options, we have decided not to hold our annual Labor Day picnic at Coney Island this year. 
This decision is not an easy one. Our Labor Day Picnic is the biggest annual fundraising event for the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council. However, we believe it serves the health and best interests of our local affiliates, union families and friends of Labor. 

So, what can we do now? The funds that are generated each year from this historic event help run our daily operations and Labor programs, maintain our office and communication tools, fairly compensate our dedicated staff, and helps to progressively move forward our Labor movement/agenda in the greater Cincinnati area. As our labor affiliates/partners and Friends of Labor, we respectfully request that your organization consider making a one-time Labor Day donation to the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council to make certain that we are able to continue doing the good work for you, the working women and men of Greater Cincinnati.

We thank you for your leadership, your activism/dedication to the Labor movement, and your consideration of the above request. We will continue to stand with you, fight for your union and member’s rights, and social/racial/economic justice for all working families, in Cincinnati and throughout our great nation!

Solidarity Forever, in U and I . . .
Bill Froehle, President
Peter McLinden, Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Essential Workers are Essential Voters
America's labor movement is committed to championing democracy—in the workplace and at the ballot box. As we rise to meet the challenges COVID-19 presents to our nation, we know that registering to vote will be critical to making sure working people’s voices are heard and values win on Election Day. 

Working people are essential voters—we must make our voices heard this fall and vote in candidates who have working people’s interests at heart, up and down the ballot. 

We also know that this year, the enemies of democracy will be working harder than ever to suppress our votes and our voices. They will try to make it even more difficult to vote for millions of Americans. So we’ll have to work harder to make sure our votes, and the votes of all working people in this country, are counted. Registering to vote is the first crucial step in this process. 
From Our Friends and Community Partners at The NAACP: Spreading the word
EDUCATE. EMPOWER. VOTE. REPEAT
Tell your friends and family to get Registered to VOTE.

You can request an Absentee Ballot for MAIL IN VOTING.

Register to vote  ONLINE HERE

Check your status to see if your are  REGISTERED TO VOTE HERE

Apply for your Absentee Ballot for  MAIL IN VOTING HERE
From Our Friends and Community Partners at
Cincinnati Cares
BoardConnect Event
Hundreds of Cincinnati area
nonprofits are looking for board members. Start the process of becoming one on August 12
A local technology platform and virtual connecting event
make it easy for leaders to find the right fit

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Ready to make a difference in the lives of thousands? Start now, by beginning the process of finding the right nonprofit organization to serve as a board member.

Cincinnati Cares, the region’s only online guide to what active nonprofits need now, makes it easy for volunteer leaders to find their right fit, beginning with an Aug. 12 virtual connecting event. Cincinnati Cares operates a technology platform aimed at creating WIDER nonprofit boards -- that is, welcoming, inclusive, diverse, equitable and representative. More than 200 nonprofits are using the platform to identify and connect with 500-plus board candidates. A virtual event planned for Aug. 12 from 5-6:30 p.m. will speed the process.

Board candidates must register and complete a profile by Aug. 7. Nonprofits interested in connecting with candidates must register by July 31. Here are links with more information for each:
Cincinnati Cares, 1776 Mentor Avenue Suite 200, Norwood OH, 4521
From Our Friends and Community Partners at United Way of Greater Cincinnati
COVID-19 Results Roundup
Dear United Way friends,

The first few months on the job were educational, exhausting, joyful and so much more, all rolled into one. Mostly, I am proud of the  work we performed in responding to this community .

Whether it be the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund we activated with Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the partnerships we developed with grassroots groups and faith-based organizations to distribute more than 1 million masks and sanitizer, or our direct relief work getting $160,000 in gift cards to nearly 4,000 local residents, we made a difference
Sincerely,

Moira Weir
President/CEO
United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Nearly 30 projects led by Black entrepreneurs will soon receive more than $600,000 in United Way Black Empowerment Works grants to launch or strengthen anti-poverty initiatives.
Non-profits helping residents recover from COVID-19 fallout will receive help from United Way of Greater Cincinnati's Southeast Indiana office. The relief is made possible by a $300,000 grant from Lily Endowment, Inc. and a partnership with Indiana United Ways.
Moira Weir recently received the Vistage Member Excellence Award for Leadership. Weir was recognized by her Vistage Cincinnati peers for stand-out leadership and exceptional impact on her peer group, her business and her community.
Marketplace Health Insurance/Medicaid-Federal Services
My name is Marjorie Moseley, and I am a Certified Navigator in [insert state here] with HRS Erase Inc. dba Resolute Certified Navigators. At this difficult time with Covid-19 (coronavirus) impacting all our communities and affecting each of our lives, our organization is thinking of you, your staff and the consumers we all serve. We are currently working remotely and can be reached at the email addresses listed below. I am attaching our Navigator Marketplace Health Insurance Special Enrollment Period (SEP) flyer for your review and distribution as you see fit. We are here to assist in any way we can. 
 
We help individuals, families, and children enroll in Marketplace, Medicaid and CHIP health insurance. Our services are completely free because we were awarded a Navigator grant through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assist counties in Ohio, Nebraska, and Kansas. We are not an insurance company nor are we affiliated with any insurance companies; our assistance is paid by a federally funded grant. This is a service we are to provide in our public service endeavor.   
 
Our Ohio office is located at 7740 Washington Village Dr, Suite 150, Dayton, Ohio 45459. The Ohio office number is 937-222-7270 and our toll-free number is 877-518-8585. Our email addresses are:  Lsee@hrserase.com , marjorie.moseley@hrserase.com rirvine@hrserase.com , and  pscheidt@hrserase.co ro m . HRS Erase Inc. dba Resolute is also listed within https// www.healthcare.gov  (Find Local Help). Please visit  www.HelpMeEnroll.org  for more information or go to our Facebook page Resolute Certified Navigators in Kansas, Nebraska and Ohio for more healthcare updates.
 
Our goal is to assist as many individuals, families, and children enroll in the Healthcare Marketplace, Medicaid and CHIP programs as possible. To complete this task, we must collaborate and partner with similar organizations who have the same passion for helping families obtain affordable healthcare. This mission is even more urgent during these rough times.
 
We can offer our assistance and services to your organization by:
 
  • Enrolling consumers into the Healthcare Marketplace, Medicaid or CHIP programs.
  • Working closely with other CACs and other Navigators to educate consumers on their healthcare options.
  • Helping you and your staff plan ways to assist helping individuals and families obtain affordable healthcare.
 
Let us work closely with you to help enroll those who qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. 
 
I look forward to working with you in this great endeavor to help all families obtain affordable healthcare.

Thank you,
Marjorie Moseley  | Resolute Certified Federal Navigator, HRS Erase Navigator Program
Main: 877-518-8585| Ohio: 937-222-7270 | Fax: 816-524- 2328 | marjorie.moseley@hrserase.com | www.aspirion.com  |  www.HelpMeEnroll.org  
COVID 19 By The Numbers
From  Johns Hopkins University  (as of publication time):
  • More than 15 million global cases and more than 610,000 deaths have been confirmed.
  • The coronavirus has spread to at least 188 countries/regions.
  • There have been at least 142,000 deaths in the United States.
  • More than 3.9 million cases in all 50 states, U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., have been reported.
As a reminder, Ohio's statewide mask order is effect, having begun last evening, July 23, 6:00 PM. The graphic below shows eight counties that have moved into Level 3/"Red." Regardless of the advisory level for the county you live in, masks are now required while in public.
COVID 19 Resources
Take Action!
Other Important Headlines:
In an effort to better serve you by doing our part to minimize the amount of email we send and you receive, we've included in this single email the best information we have received this week on issues of importance to all of us. If you have information you would like included in future distributions, please send it to:

Brian D. Griffin | Director of Communication & Technology
Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council | 513.421.1846 Office | 513.608.0033 Cell | bgriffin@cincinnatiaflcio.org