Cincinnati
AFL-CIO
Labor Council
Saturday, February 26, 2022
This Week's Messages from AFL-CIO President, Liz Shuler
Thrilling news this morning from the World Cup-winning U.S. women’s soccer players, who won their six-year battle for equal pay. These workers showed the world what’s possible when you fight together for fairness on the job.

Meanwhile, in Bessemer, Alabama, Amazon workers trying to form a union filed an unfair labor practice against the retail giant, alleging further improper actions by the company during a re-election that is being held because of improper actions the first time around.

These are the latest signs that working people are fed up and are willing to fight back against corporate greed and unfair actions from management. Now is the time for companies to listen to workers and build mutually beneficial labor agreements.
The wave of organizing inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic continues as working people are seeing victories every week.

Workers at The Coffee Tree Roasters in Pittsburgh voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to join UFCW.

This morning, a supermajority of employees at Impact Justice, based in California, requested voluntary recognition from management. The workers voted to affiliate with OPEIU.

Working people continue to show us that collective action is our best pathway to better jobs and a better future.
Today, we send support and solidarity to the working people of Ukraine who face the devastating impact of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military attack on their country. 

We support President Biden’s call for a unified response by the global community to bring an end to the attack on Ukraine.

The consequences of the attack on Ukraine are vast—tens of thousands of lives may be lost in the first few days of fighting, and the stability of the global economy and the international order is at risk. 

We will work together with the global labor movement and our respective governments to re-establish a common security framework that stops violent conflicts like the one against Ukraine and prioritizes investments in our shared economic security.
Black History Month: First Black Leadership in the IUPAT
Local 1332 of the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) was formed in Chicago in 1920. The founders of the local were Black craftsmen who specifically came together to confront the discriminatory practices and challenges that faced Black workers in the trade. Local 1332 became the first IUPAT local to elect Black leadership. That bold action not only changed the future of IUPAT, but served as an example for other unions and organizations throughout the country.
 
Watch this video to learn more about the history of Local 1332.
Black History Month: UFCW Celebrates 1953 Eastex Poultry Plant Strike
As the labor movement continues to celebrate Black History Month, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) continues its series honoring the contributions of Black women and men to our collective labor history.
 
The latest profile is of a group of Black women who worked at the Eastex Poultry plant in Center, Texas, while organizing for safer working conditions and protection against exploitation. The women, members of UFCW’s precursor, the Amalgamated Meat Cutters, organized a national boycott of the plant and engaged in wildcat strikes that were met with violence.
 
After 11 months of negotiations, the Black women of the Eastex plant won wage increases, overtime pay, paid holidays and vacations, a grievance procedure, and the reinstatement of workers fired during negotiations.
 
Union Membership Numbers Reflect Broken Labor Laws
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) annual report on union membership makes it clear that American labor laws are unquestionably broken. While the report indicates a 0.5% drop in union membership from 2020–2021, the data is not representative of the greater union trends taking place across the country. These statistics highlight the urgent need for the passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. 

“In 2021, workers forcefully rejected low-wage, thankless jobs after a year of being called essential,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clearer now than ever that our labor laws are designed to make joining a union as difficult as possible. Across this country, workers are organizing for a voice on the job and millions of Americans are standing in solidarity with union members on strike. If everyone who wanted to join a union was able to do so, membership would skyrocket. The PRO Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act are how we get there.”

In the past year, millions of Americans have left the workforce for numerous reasons, including a lack of access to affordable child, elder and differently abled care, as well as an unwillingness to sacrifice their health and safety for low-paying jobs with substandard benefits. Unions are the best solution to this crisis by ensuring that workers have access to safe working conditions, fair pay and health benefits, and collective bargaining rights.

The BLS report also shows promising data for communities of color. Black workers continued to have the highest unionization rate in 2021, with 12.9% membership. According to an EPI study, Black union workers are paid 13.7% more than their nonunionized peers. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, union approval is at its highest level in over 50 years, with 68% of Americans supporting organized labor, including 77% of young people. An MIT study found that 60 million Americans would join a labor union if they could, underscoring the need for changes to labor laws.
Local 392 Work Outlook, 2022 And Beyond 
New Officers Sworn In at Local 392

Local 392 officers and trustees were sworn in February 11th, 2022, at the monthly union meeting. Thank you to retired President Dave Holtkamp (far left, front row) for doing the honor of the oath of obligation. Thank you to every member who stepped up to lead this organization and to the past officers and trustees for your time and dedication as well. #392proud
Local 392 Work Outlook - 2022 And Beyond 
by Bill Froehle, Business Manager 

Brothers and Sisters, 

As I write this article on the second weekend in February, we are enjoying the coldest temperatures of the winter of 2022 and spring seems like it is still a long way off. Currently Local 392 has experienced a slow-down in manpower calls due to the weather as well as the slowing down on Construction Projects being bid in the Tri-State area. That will all change as we get into March and beyond.

We are all aware of upcoming projects that our contractors have on backlog due to the pandemic, material shortages, weather delays etc. There is work that will be coming and as members of Local 392 we must be ready to seize the opportunity when it presents itself. All things considered, 2022 looks to be shaping up as a good year work wise for all our members.  

This is the point in the article where I implore you to investigate what our training center in Tri-County has to offer that will help to make us all more employable when the calls for manpower do finally arrive. Whether you are a Plumber, Pipefitter or Mechanical Equipment Service Person there is something that the training center has to offer for each one of us. Have you ever watched a pipe welder and wondered exactly how it is that they do what they do? Have you ever looked at a Plumber doing Med-Gas and wondered how they keep it pure enough so that we don’t have to worry when our parents, grandparents or even our own children require the use of medical gases? Have you ever watched a Pipefitter skilled at installing rolling offsets or putting in piping systems using blueprints when they are available or even using their creative imagination to install systems that work as designed, each time?

Have you ever looked at our Mechanical Equipment Service folks and thought, wow!! I would like to be able to troubleshoot my own heating and air conditioning system when it breaks or I would like to learn how to control systems using Direct Digital Controls, Wi-Fi, and a laptop that I can use to make changes from 1000 miles away? Have you ever been out on the town at an event or even in the comfort of your own home and witnessed someone having a medical emergency that required Basic First Aid or even CPR or maybe they even needed the use of an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator)?

I bring up these examples but there are literally 1000 more examples that I could use to help you understand the amount of training that is available to you as a journeyperson or as an apprentice. The only limit on what you can learn is the limit that you place on yourself.

Our JATC Coordinator, Brother Matt Taylor, full time instructor Todd Boenitsch, our instructors who give precious time in the evenings and on weekends, and the ladies who staff the training center are ready and willing to help you with any educational needs that you may have but they are not mind readers. Call them and let them know what you would like to learn, and they will try their best to make it available. The school is open to all of us during the day as well as in the evening. The only thing missing is you.

Congratulations to all the Officers, Trustees who were sworn in at the February Union Meeting. This group of Officers and Trustees will serve you until February 2025.  

Upcoming Political News – Kentucky members, pay attention to your general assembly as they once again go after the Unemployment Insurance to try and hurt working families who need it the most. Kentucky has already taken prevailing wage away and turned the state into “right to work” but that is still not enough for these greedy barons. They will not rest until they have us as indentured servants. In Ohio the primary races for many seats will take place. While Local 392 does not normally get involved in Primary Races there are certain times when a true friend of labor and local 392 emerges early, in those cases we will. We have that true friend in Greg Landsman who is running against Steve Chabot in November. Please consider learning more about Greg and the work he is doing in and around Cincinnati.  

Retiree News – The monthly retiree meeting will take place on March 8th at 11 A.M. @ the Local 392 Union Hall 1228 Central Parkway in the basement. There will be food and refreshments. We encourage all our retirees to come down and see what you have been missing. 

The Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on March 12th at 12 noon in downtown Cincinnati. We will be staging around 9:30 A.M. and will have food and refreshments for anyone who would like to attend. The Cincinnati Building Trades has been a long-time participant and we hope to have a huge turnout for the annual parade. Come on down and join us for a great day of food, fun and fellowship. We are all Irish for one day!  

The next Union Meeting will be on March 11th at 7 P.M. @ 1228 Central Parkway, lower level. Please make every effort to attend.  Please keep your dues and drug cards current.  

Local 392 regrets to inform the membership of the passing of the following members:  

Charles Busch, 77 on January 8, 2022 
Eugene, “Gene” Blom, on January 9, 2022 
Alton Evans, 60 on January 24, 2022 
Dominic, “Dick” Solazzo, 90 on January 31, 2022 
May They Rest in Peace. 
Why Not Us?
by Fred Lampe, Executive Secretary, Cincinnati Building Trades

The Bengals journey to the Super Bowl has done wonders for Cincinnati and the entire region. Think about it, the Greater Cincinnati area stretches North to South from Middletown, Ohio to Crittenden, Kentucky. East to West is either Mt. Orab, Ohio or Maysville, Kentucky all the way to Batesville, Indiana. That is vast geographical area that really rises and falls with the fortunes of the City of Cincinnati. 

The Bengals, Reds, FC Cincinnati, Bearcats. Musketeers, Cyclones, Norse, the Zoo, the Symphony, the Art Museum, the Museum Center all play a vital role in making this area a desirable place to live and work. If you watch any news or sports, you know Cincinnati is currently in the national spotlight and we owe it all to the Bengals. Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, & Ja’Marr Chase have become household names across the country.  

In reality, the Bearcat football team got the attention started, so let’s show them some love. What a great time to be a football fan in Cincinnati. I am a little surprised to learn how many fans the Bengals have nationwide. It makes sense though, I recently heard the Bengal’s striped helmets referred to as “iconic”. That’s strong. I personally think black, and orange sure look better together than black and gold or brown and orange. 

Getting back to the title of this piece, “Why not us?” Apparently, this motto was adopted by the team early on because they believed in themselves before any of us were on the bandwagon. Prior to the AFL Championship Game, they changed it to “It Is Us”. With polls showing upwards of 60% of Americans viewing labor unions as favorable and the recently passed Infrastructure Bill ensuring a lot of work coming our way, I think it is time union construction workers adopt a why not us attitude. If we play this right, the signatory construction industry can seize the moment and regain our position as a very respected and well-paid way to earn a living. We also must believe in ourselves.  

The first step is realizing belonging to a union is really an honor. Quit sitting around the lunch table complaining about whatever building trades union, you belong to. The only way to draw the best, brightest and most diverse young people into our trades is to brag about what we have. I admit, what we have today is nowhere near what we had in 1979 in terms of wages, benefits, and respect but the door is open to get back there. It is critical for us to promote ourselves in a positive way so we can attract good applicants to our apprenticeship programs. 

Unfortunately, politics is a piece of the puzzle. Please educate yourself regarding how the people you are voting for view labor issues. If you voted for someone because of their stance on the second amendment but they are attacking prevailing wage, at least let them know you do not appreciate them attacking your livelihood. I hope I live long enough to see it but just think about how great it would be for construction workers to change our motto from “why not us?” To IT IS US! Just like the Bengals were able to do. WHO DEY! 
Another Win for Labor!
by Dave Baker, Business Manager Financial Secretary, Ironworkers Local 44

This is for those who were not paying attention to the executive order that was signed. Last Friday we witnessed as President Biden signed an order requiring the use of PLAs on all federal construction projects above $35 million. This order is believed to affect nearly 200,000 workers and over $262 billion worth of federal construction contracts. This should show to all Union Construction workers that the current President is doing all he can to insure your future.

What should also be noted is they chose to sign the order at Ironworkers Local 5 in Washington, D.C. To my knowledge this has never been done before. This will make two times now President Biden has chosen to include Labor in key signings of Legislature. Once when he signed the Infrastructure Bill and now when he signed the Executive order on PLAs.

This is all part of seeing to it the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill gets done right. So many projects get stalled out by the management challenges associated with coordination of multiple contractors and multiple trades. When PLAs are put on a project this is easier to coordinate and helps with labor disputes as well. This lets the job get done in timely fashion and with little interruption.

Also included in the order is a directive to lead a training strategy for the workforce needed to complete these projects. Contractors will be able to work with the Department of Defense and Labor along with the Office of Management and Budget as they navigate through the worker shortages and other training pitfalls. 

I know a lot of focus lately has been the rising costs of living. Inflation has skyrocketed to unbelievable numbers in the last year and many of us have felt the pain at the grocery store and the gas pump. With that being said, much, more work still needs to be done by the Biden administration to get inflation under control so I’m not giving them a pass on that.

What I am saying though is this administration is firmly committed to helping Union memberships grow and keeping us all working. By putting this order in effect, we can now rest assured if a Brent Spence Bridge is built that it will be built by Union members. This is a big win for Labor as a whole and a giant win for Union Ironworkers.
Members at GMG Union Deserve a Fair Contract!
The GMG Union—which represents G/O Media workers at Jezebel, The Root, Lifehacker, Kotaku, Jalopnik and Gizmodo—is fighting for a fair contract and needs your help. Send a letter telling management to settle a fair contract NOW.
The GMG Union’s current contract expires Monday, Feb. 28.
 
The union is still determined to get a fair deal on the table and sign it. It’s fighting for fair wages, inclusive health care and editorial independence.
 
Since being acquired by private equity company Great Hill Partners, a great number of talented journalists have left G/O Media. A fair contract will retain the beloved people who keep supporters reading, watching and listening—and will help make G/O Media a better workplace for all.
 
Please send your letter of support and support union members at the GMG Union/G/O Media.
 
In Solidarity,
Team AFL-CIO
Ohio State Building Trades Looks Forward to Partnering With Intel On New Plants
Ohio State Building Trades Looks Forward to Partnering With Intel On New Plants

The Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council congratulates Governor Mike DeWine, his administration, and Jobs Ohio for their months of hard work which resulted in today’s announcement from Intel that it will invest $20 billion to build two computer chip plants in Licking County – the largest single private sector investment in Ohio history. The Ohio State Building Trades’ skilled craftspeople have the training and experience required to construct and maintain these state-of-the-art facilities and we are excited about the opportunity to partner with Intel and the state of Ohio bring this project to fruition.

Ohio has a strong history of building and manufacturing, and this announcement proves that our great state continues to be an excellent place do business. Our central location, educational institutions, natural resources, great business climate, and, of course, our outstanding workforce make this an ideal location for Intel and the many related businesses which are sure to spin off from this project.

This is also an exciting opportunity for our apprenticeship programs across the state to train the workers who will build and maintain this facility for generations to come. The building trades’ world class apprenticeship programs provide the high level of training required to make Ohio the new frontier in high technology.
— ohiostatebtc.org
New EPI Report Shows 2021 Increase in Major Strike Activity
A new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows that the growing popularity of unions and an increasing momentum of collective action led to an increase in strikes in 2021. Last year, 80,700 workers were involved in major work stoppages; up from 27,000 in 2020. And these numbers understate how much activity there is, because the official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data only includes strikes that involve 1,000 or more workers and at least one full shift.
 
These numbers are below pre-pandemic levels, however, and the report highlights how the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act would strengthen the right to strike and help make sure workers secure our share of economic growth during the pandemic recovery.
 
AFT Celebrates Public Schools Week
This week, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), led by President Randi Weingarten, celebrates Public Schools Week. It is a time to recognize the students, teachers, staff and education community who make our public schools such a vital part of our nation. Public schools are always central to our communities, and while the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have been Herculean, our public schools have risen to the task. This year’s theme is “Creating Safe, Equitable and Engaging Public Schools.”
 
“This week and always,” Weingarten said, “AFT is proud to join educators, parents, community advocates, businesses and others in celebrating the schools that 91% of U.S. students attend. We celebrate not just the great things happening in our public schools, but [want] to remind our elected officials and others that our public schools can be transformational when they are well-resourced, recognized and respected for the important incubators they are. At their best, our public schools provide a ladder of opportunity; a place where young people develop the muscle of civic participation; and a safe and welcoming place where our diverse country forges a common identity. Public education is indeed foundational to our democracy.”
 
There is more work to do but we are public school proud. As Weingarten said, we must “promise to keep up the fight for the resources and support necessary so that every public school is one where parents want to send their kids, educators want to work, and students can truly thrive.”
New York State AFL-CIO Podcast Discusses Worker Rights Related to Long COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, New York state was one of the hardest-hit parts of the country. Working New Yorkers exposed themselves to risk throughout this crisis, and many have contracted the virus and are living with long COVID-19, something we are still learning about.
 
On the latest episode of “Union Strong,” the podcast of the New York State AFL-CIO, host Darcy Wells talks to several guests about the importance of every worker who believes they were exposed to COVID-19 filing a workers’ compensation claim.
 Workers have a two-year window to file a claim once they are exposed to the virus. This means that a number of workers are closing in on the end of their period for filing.
 
Watch the full episode to learn more about your rights and how and when to file.
Sign the petition and tell Oshkosh Defense:
We can build it here!
The U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS’) Next Generation Delivery Vehicle should be union-made in Wisconsin. Sign the petition to tell USPS and Oshkosh Defense: We can build it here!

USPS’ Next Generation Delivery Vehicle is an opportunity for the Biden administration to make real investments in both a cleaner future and good union jobs, but the contract, as it currently stands, fails on both accounts.
According to President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, when public money is used to buy vehicles, they should be electric and made in the United States with union labor.
 
USPS awarded the $6 billion contract for the next generation of postal vehicles to Oshkosh Defense, a company with a reputation for tough military trucks built with union labor with just a small number of electric vehicles on order.
 
But instead of using this opportunity to expand quality jobs under a decades-old union contract, the company plans to refurbish a vacant warehouse in another state and build these vehicles without a commitment to union wages or representation.
 
 
Many are unhappy about the way USPS has gone about this contract for the next generation of U.S. postal vehicles because they will not help solve the problems of climate change, and they aren’t going to be built with union labor. USPS needs to fix its mistakes.
 
Let’s Build Back Better and put letter carriers in union-made vehicles that are good for the planet.
 
USPS finalizes contract: USPS seals deal for 165K gas-powered trucks 
Contract angers White House, which pushed for electric vehicles

By Ari Natter and Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Bloomberg

The U.S. Postal Service has finalized a contract to replace its mail-truck fleet with almost all gasoline powered models, drawing an angry response from Biden administration officials who unsuccessfully pushed the agency to buy electric vehicles instead.

The record of decision signed Wednesday represents the culmination of a failed lobbying effort by the Environmental Protection Agency and top Biden administration officials to persuade the Postal Service to shift course. The independent agency can now move forward with its $6 billion plan to begin purchasing as many as 165,000 mail trucks over the next 10 years from Wisconsin military truck maker Oshkosh Defense. As many as 90% of those will run on gasoline instead of more climate-friendly batteries, according to the plan.

EPA Associate Administrator Vicki Arroyo decried the move as a “crucial lost opportunity to be a leader in reducing the carbon footprint of one of the largest government fleets in the world.”

“Purchasing tens of thousands of gasoline-fueled delivery trucks locks USPS into further oil dependence, air pollution and climate impacts for decades to come,” Arroyo said in an emailed statement.

The Postal Service previously rejected a bid from fledgling electric-vehicle specialist Workhorse Group.

Oshkosh fell as much as 1.8% and was down 1.5% to $106.76 at 2:22 p.m. Workhorse, which had dropped as much as 5%, was down 4.3% to $2.90. Workhorse has lost a third of its value since the beginning of the year.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended the decision, stressing that the fleet replacement is urgent while reiterating the Postal Service will buy additional battery- electric vehicles as more funding becomes available.

“Our commitment to an electric fleet remains ambitious given the pressing vehicle and safety needs of our aging fleet as well as our fragile financial condition,” DeJoy said in a news release. “The process needs to keep moving forward. The men and women of the U.S. Postal Service have waited long enough for safer, cleaner vehicles.”

The authorization is unlikely to be the last word on the matter.

Environmental groups are preparing to swiftly challenge the move in federal court, arguing the Postal Service is illegally justifying its decision with a fundamentally flawed analysis of the purchase plan that underestimates greenhouse gas emissions, relies on faulty economic assumptions and fails to consider alternatives.

“The United States Postal Service’s ill-informed and costly decision will lock Americans into an overwhelmingly gas-powered mail delivery system for generations to come,” the Zero Emission Transportation Association, which represents electric vehicle makers such as Rivian Automotive Inc. and electric utilities such as NRG Energy Inc., said in a statement. “This decision directly subverts federal regulations and our international commitments -- and President Biden’s executive order to electrify the federal fleet.”

The Postal Service’s decision is a blow to President Joe Biden’s bid to shift the U.S. government away from gasoline-powered models toward plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles that now make up less than 1% of the federal fleet. The Postal Service’s contract means up to 23% of the federal government’s fleet is beyond his reach, Bloomberg NEF said Wednesday.

Although the Biden administration has limited authority over the Postal Service because it is an independent agency, federal courts have found the USPS is still bound by the National Environmental Policy Act that requires analysis of major policy decisions. And federal courts have previously invalidated government leases sold to private companies after finding that analysis lacking.
Take Action: Protect Passenger Service Agents
Violence against airline employees has increased to unprecedented and unacceptable levels over the past two years. These employees, who are on the front lines of this pandemic, have unjustly labored under the incessant threat of abuse and physical harm from unruly passengers unwilling to comply with COVID-19 masking measures or directions from airline and security staff, or who attempt to board aircraft while intoxicated and belligerent.
 
Unfortunately, this unruly behavior also is rampant within the airport, prior to enplanement, and there have been cases of assault at airport gates, ticket and reservation areas, and other on-the-ground airport locations. With great frequency, passenger service agents have been the targets of violence and unruly behavior in their workplace as they carry out their responsibilities. Ultimately, addressing these issues will require the cooperation of multiple agencies and the exercise of their respective authorities. The lack of jurisdictional clarity and whole of government response has meant that unruly behavior against these employees is adjudicated unevenly at best, and frequently not at all.
 
However, the Department of Justice unquestionably has tools at its disposal today that would be beneficial in deterring assaults against passenger service agents and ensuring that perpetrators of violence against, or interference with, these employees are held responsible for their actions.
 
National Nurses United Fights for Safe Staffing Levels
One of the many challenges nurses have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic is increasingly unsafe levels of staffing. The evidence is quite clear that creating and enforcing valid RN-to-patient staffing ratios save lives, especially during a pandemic. The California Nurses Association/NNU successfully pushed for adequate safe staffing ratios, and both nurses and patients have benefited from the better level of care provided.
 
National Nurses United (NNU) is pushing for national RN-to-patient safe staffing ratios based on science: “Every patient deserves a single standard of high-quality care. Decades of research have documented how safe staffing reduces patient mortality, re-admission to the hospital post discharge and recovery. Ratios, coupled with nurses’ powerful voice of advocacy, and secured in federal law and regulation and in our union contracts, would protect our patients from complications that arise from missed care such as medical errors, health care disparities, infections and so much more.”
 
United Steelworkers Rally Outside Marathon Petroleum Headquarters in Findlay
Members of United Steelworkers and their allies gathered in front of Marathon Petroleum headquarters in Findlay last week to demand fair contracts. Protesters waved flags, signs, and chanted slogans such as, “What do want? Contracts! When do we want them? Now.”
 
“It’s disgraceful, we’re upset. We have people here from Washington state, California, Texas. We’re pretty upset,” says Joe Hale, a protester. “We worked through the pandemic, we worked hard. We put in long hours, and we just want what we deserve and they don’t even want to sit down and discuss it.”
 
The essential oil workers tell 13abc they have put their health and lives at risk while watching the company get richer in return for little reward. They want their contracts to reflect their work and their contributions to the company’s success, but Marathon wants to end the talks. 
 
"When the pandemic hit, working people who got up every day to keep America moving were told how essential we were," said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga to the crowd. "Now Marathon Petroleum acts as if you are expendable. It's time Marathon get back to the table and bargain a fair contract."
 
U.S Senator Sherrod Brown: Working For Working People!
US Senator Sherrod Brown speaks on the floor about the China competition bills Congress is working to pass, and why these bills will keep us competitive with China.
Register now for upcoming FMCS Institute courses!
Training for the real-world challenges of labor-management relations and organizational change.

Don't wait! The FMCS Institute's 2022 courses will provide you with the opportunity to expand your conflict resolution and organizational change toolkit by introducing a diverse lineup of targeted and hands-on programs brought to you by experienced instructors and practitioners. Register today for some of our most in-demand courses. 

Leadership Conflict Resolution Skills: The Six Competencies of Outcome-Based Communication (Online) March 1 and March 3

Negotiation Skills (Online) Spring 2022 

Negotiation Skills (Online) Summer 2022 

Arbitrating in the Federal Sector (Online) Spring 2022 

Arbitrating in the Federal Sector (Online) Summer 2022 

Becoming A Labor Arbitrator (Online) Spring 2022

Dealing with Difficult People Behaviors (Online) Spring 2022
National Labor-Management Conference 2022
Join us at The National Labor-Management Conference, and learn the latest about essential bargaining techniques, hear critical updates on the labor and employment landscape, and gain valuable insights into new directions, technology, and trends in the changing world of work.

This is a can't miss event for 2022! You’ll leave inspired to be a change agent within your organization and empowered with the tools, insight, and information to make an impact.
FREE PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS INCLUDED W/ REGISTRATION

February 25, 2022 - New Bargaining Units: Challenges for Both Sides

Newly organized workplace? Going from an organizing drive to a productive partnership can be challenging. Bring your questions and concerns to this webinar for practical suggestions, ideas, and expert advice that you can choose to use immediately!

Don't miss this value-added workshop and others offered monthly leading up to the general conference. 
Black History Poetry Slam!
United Way: 211 Can Start You on the Right Path
Every day – 49,000 times last year – our 211 call specialists meet families where they are, support them in ways they request and even help with needs they might not realize they have, such as mental health. While our community social services are very good, the system is complex and when a family is in crisis, it is valuable to have central access to all resources at once.

Our 211 Helpline staff stands ready, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you or someone you know is in crisis, this is a valuable resource.
Less visible than the immediate help 211 provides is how it helps United Way understand community needs. Information gathered from 211 calls helps us better understand what services and supports are needed and where, enabling United Way to remove barriers for families and co-create solutions to help them thrive.
For example, we not only know the most frequent reason callers dialed our Helpline in 2021 – income support/assistance – we know those calls most frequently originated in downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Westwood, Avondale, Elmwood Place and surrounding areas. That is valuable information for an organization tasked with uniting resources and developing creative solutions to community challenges.

We are deeply committed to listening to our community. 211 helps – last year, we received nearly 49,000 calls about income support, health care, housing, utility assistance and more. If you need help and do not know where to go, call 211 and we can start you on the right path.

Sincerely,

Moira Weir
President/CEO
RetireMed: Just for You! Your March Medicare Webinars!
“Do I have to enroll in Medicare when I turn 65, even though I will keep working?” When you get Medicare questions, RetireMED is your trusted source for Medicare answers.
 
Whether individuals are considering early retirement or planning to work past age 65, learning the basics of Medicare just got easier with our on-demand webinars series.  

Retirement isn’t a requirement to enroll in Medicare. In fact, many people over age 65 receive more benefits by enrolling in a Medicare plan while they continue to work.

Join RetireMED live or listen in on-demand to learn about:
  • Coverage and costs for Medicare Parts A and B
  • Medicare plan options in 2022
  • Comparing employer group coverage to Medicare
  • Early retirement health insurance options
...and more!
 
This March Live Webinars Flyer gives you an early look at Medicare webinars this month. Please share this flyer with your team members, clients, and anyone else who could benefit from Medicare education.
COVID-19 Dashboard
Ohio Vaccination Dashboard

The COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard displays the most recent data reported to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) regarding the number of individuals that have started and completed the COVID-19 vaccination series by various demographics and county of residence.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard displays the most recent data reported to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) regarding the number of individuals that have started and completed the COVID-19 vaccination series by various demographics and county of residence. “Vaccination started” indicates that the individual has received at least one valid dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The number listed as “vaccination completed” is a subset of the number included in “vaccination started,” indicating that those individuals within that group have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses and are considered fully immunized. ODH is making COVID-19 data available for public review while also protecting privacy. This dashboard will be updated daily. Please see footnotes below for more details.
Ohio COVID-19 Dashboard
Overview

ODH is making COVID-19 data available for public review while also protecting patient privacy.

The State of Ohio COVID-19 Dashboard displays the most recent preliminary data reported to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) about cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Ohio by selected demographics and county of residence. Data for cases and hospitalizations is reported to ODH via the Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS), and verified mortality data is reported via the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS).
Current Trends
Below are the current reporting trends from Friday, February 25 for key indicators calculated from data reported to the Ohio Department of Health. These trends are updated daily and are presented by report date.
Below is a snapshot of key metrics pulled Friday, February 25, 2022 from daily data reporting to the Ohio Department of Health. These metrics are updated daily.
Hamilton County
Cases
185,527
Hospitalizations
5,908
Deaths
1,938
Clermont County
Cases
50,801
Hospitalizations
1,388
Deaths
511
Brown County
Cases
11,108
Hospitalizations
104
Deaths
163
Butler County
Cases
90,073
Hospitalizations
3,102
Deaths
1,079
Warren County
Cases
57,076
Hospitalizations
1,329
Deaths
550
Other News For and About Working People:
Cincinnati AFL-CIO
Labor Council
President

Executive Secretary-Treasure

Communications & Administrative Associate
1385 Tennessee Avenue | Second Floor | Cincinnati, OH 45229 | 513.421.1846 | info@cincinnatiaflcio.org | www.cincinnatiaflcio.org