Cincinnati
AFL-CIO
Labor Council
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The labor movement continues to lead the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to fight for economic opportunity and social justice for America’s workers. |
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Quote of the week:
“We know there is an end in sight. We know the masks work. We know the vaccine distribution is steadily increasing. So why cause hospitalizations and deaths unnecessarily?”
LINA HIDALGO, a top elected official for Harris County, Texas
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President Biden Signs Executive Order to Promote Voting Access |
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Marking the 56th anniversary of Selma with actions and not just words, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order to promote voting access and allow all eligible Americans to participate in our democracy. This Executive Order will leverage the resources of the federal government to increase access to voter registration services and information about voting.
Executive Order is an initial step in this Administration’s efforts to protect the right to vote and ensure all eligible citizens can freely participate in the electoral process. The President is committed to working with Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act and pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which includes bold reforms to make it more equitable and accessible for all Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote.
The Executive Order will:
Direct federal agencies to expand access to voter registration and election information. The executive order will direct the head of each federal agency to submit to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy a strategic plan outlining ways their agency can promote voter registration and participation within 200 days. These strategic plans could include actions such as:
- Leveraging agencies’ existing websites and social media to provide information about how to register to vote
- Distributing voter registration and vote-by-mail ballot applications in the course of regular services
- Considering whether any identity documents issued by the agency can be issued in a form that satisfies state voter identification laws
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Keeping his Word To Working People |
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President Joe Biden’s administration defended an
executive order by President Donald Trump that bans
U.S. securities transactions in companies that have ties
to the Chinese military. With this order, President Biden is ensuring that when the federal government spends taxpayer dollars they are spent on American made goods by American workers and with American-made component parts. This Executive Order fulfills President Biden’s promise to make Buy American real and close loopholes that allow companies to offshore production and jobs while still qualifying for domestic preferences.
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House Passes The PRO Act - Expected Uphill Struggle in Senate |
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The House of Representatives passed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act on Tuesday by a bipartisan vote of 225–206. The following is a Statement from President Richard Trumka
This is a historic moment in the struggle for working people’s rights on the job, and it was delivered by a broad coalition that transcends any one issue, party or ideology. This fight is about strengthening fundamental civil rights. It’s about making us safer on the job, creating fairer workplaces and building a stronger economy. In the wake of a devastating year for America’s workers, that cause has never been more urgent.
Working people have been patient long enough. We aren’t interested in excuses, and we aren’t interested in waiting. The PRO Act is our litmus test. If progress is delayed or denied yet again, the suffering of the past year will only get worse and working people will continue to pay the price of failed leadership.
But if the Senate steps up to the plate and delivers generational change—the change we voted for—we will emerge from this crisis stronger than before. Everyone deserves the basic protections and dignities that come with a union card. The day the PRO Act is signed into law, tens of millions more working people will finally be free to carry that power in our pockets.
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PRO Act passes House, Senate Republicans Plan to Kill It |
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WASHINGTON (PAI)—After another boost from Democratic President Joe Biden, the Democratic-run House passed the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, the most wide-ranging, pro-worker rewrite of labor law since the original National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Debate lasted into the evening of March 9. The 225-206 vote ended at 8:56 pm EST.
Only five Republicans, notably Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, joined all but one Democrat in backing the PRO Act, officially designated HR842. Biden wants the evenly split Senate to pass it, too. There, 48 Senate Democrats and two independents oppose 50 Republicans.
Winning passage in the Senate will be essentially impossible, unless Democrats in that chamber do away with or evade the filibuster, which allows a minority—the GOP—representing a minority of residents and voters, to hamstring virtually everything that isn’t a tax or spending bill, by requiring 60 votes for it.
“We’re not going to let a minority in the Senate stop” the PRO Act, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka vowed in a video press conference with lawmakers and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights just before House debate began.
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American Rescue Plan Explained |
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The American Rescue Plan is a victory. Like a lot of you, we’re also disappointed it doesn’t include a minimum wage increase this time. But that doesn’t change the fact that this bill will help people.
This bill gives people money. This bill helps schools reopen. This bill funds vaccine distribution.
Thousands of people called and wrote letters asking for help—for themselves and everyone else who has been struggling through the pandemic.
And help is coming.
We wanted to explain a few parts of the bill in plain English (we have a longer explanation on our blog). It’s a large bill, so there’s a lot of reading. But we hope this is useful.
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What is the American Rescue Plan?
The American Rescue Plan is a COVID-19 relief bill that was passed in the House and Senate. It was signed by President Biden on March 11. It gives money directly to people who need it most. It also pumps money into our entire economy, from small businesses to state and local governments.
How much money will people get?
People will get different amounts based on their income and size of family. The Treasury Department and IRS are trying to get payments out this month. The IRS will use your most recent tax return to determine how much you will get and whether you’ll receive payment electronically or through the mail.
The maximum payment amount is $1,400 per person or dependent. Those who will receive full or partial benefits based on their income are:
- Single filers earning less than $80,000.
- Heads of households earning less than $120,000.
- Joint filers earning less than $150,000.
What about vaccines and PPE?
The bill dedicates billions of dollars to fighting COVID-19. There’s funding to distribute more vaccines. Aid for testing, contact tracing and personal protective equipment (PPE). And funds for expanding domestic production of PPE, vaccines and medical supplies.
How does it help students?
States will receive billions of dollars to help students of all ages. K-12 public schools will receive grants to reopen safely and support students as they recover from the effects of the pandemic.
Colleges and universities also will receive grants, of which at least half must be spent on emergency financial aid for students.
The bill also includes child tax credits, food aid and housing assistance to help caretakers provide children with everything they need to learn.
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U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
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U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown breaks down the differences in changes to income for each bracket of American taxpayers - American Rescue Plan (2021) vs. GOP Tax Giveaway (2017).
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Rep. Tim Ryan’s PRO Act speech:
“Help the damn workers”
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Rep. Tim Ryan TORCHES opposition in fiery floor speech for focusing on Dr. Seuss. "Stop talking about Dr. Seuss and start working with us on behalf of the American worker."
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Ohio AFL-CIO To Promote "The Workers First" Agenda As Legislative Priority |
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With the election of President Joe Biden and a pro-worker Congress, the AFL-CIO is aggressively advancing a Workers First agenda which includes the PRO Act and several key areas that emphasizes the dignity of work and building back better with union jobs. The Ohio AFL-CIO followed suit and has adopted an Ohio-specific "Workers First" agenda that the federation will be working on in the Ohio General Assembly over the next two years.
As the essential nature of our workforce and unions has been on display during the pandemic, Union favorability among Americans is at a near all-time high. Our Workers First agenda will focus on six key areas that invest in workers and rebuilds our economy from the middle class out. You can read the full Workers First agenda here.
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So, What's in the "Workers First" Agenda?
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Ohio AFL-CIO Legislative Agenda: Updated March 11, 2021
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Ohio AFL-CIO Legislative Agenda: The Ohio AFL-CIO has released its legislative agenda for the 2021& 2022 calendar years. The Agenda focuses on: the Pandemic, Worker safety, Jobs, Racial justice, Education equity, Tax fairness and fair districting. Many of these priorities impact not just union members but all Ohio citizens and workers. These key issues will be the guide this year as we fight for Labor and working people across the state. With the collaboration with our CLC’s and Local unions, we can be a positive force that can pass effective legislation and give security to all Ohioans.
Infrastructure: The Ohio AFL-CIO is waiting on an infrastructure Bill to be announced from the Federal Level, Pres. Biden has vowed to push for a revitalization of Americas infrastructure with backing from the House and Senate. There will be a bill in the near future and will be shared with our CLC and members when available.
IUE-CWA Walmart Action: On Saturday March 6th the IUE-CWA and Cincinnati AFL-CIO held its final action in support of the GE-Savant light bulb plant in Bucyrus Ohio. The Actions thus far, have garner national attention from the National AFL-CIO and the Wal-Mart Corporation. After weeks of demonstrations and pressure from the public; Walmart Corporation, Bucyrus city officials, GE officials and Union Leadership are discussing ways to keep the factory in Bucyrus.
COVID Relief: The COVID relief bill has officially been passed on March 10, 2021. The COVID relief bill includes funding for Local governments, stimulus checks, unemployment assistance and aid for small businesses. Sadly, the proposal for raising the minimum wage was removed from the bill and maybe reintroduced as a separate bill. None the less, this has been a big first win for the Biden administration and for all Americans.
Pro Act Summary: The PRO Act (H.R. 842) has passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 225-206 by the 117th congress. The bill had 212 co-sponsors in the House and 45 cosponsors in the Senate. The PRO-Act was debated on March 9th and passed the House March 10, 2021. The resolution will still need to pass the Senate with a 60 majority vote before it would be sent to the white house. President Biden has express support for the PRO Act as apart of his “Build Back Better” plan and his support for Organized Labor. The Passage of the PRO Act would strengthen unions, penalize employers for violating labor laws and eliminate ALL Right to Work laws.
Please review and participate in our PRO Act Campaign Actions!
PRO Act Actions
Call In: We are mobilizing and organizing members to participate in the PRO Act campaign by calling our Legislators and telling them to Support the PRO Act. Please Call your Legislator and urge them to PASS THE PRO ACT. To Participate, Please Call 866-832-1560 and tell Congress to PASS THE PRO ACT!
Letter to the Editor (LTE): We are mobilizing and organizing members to participate in the PRO Act campaign by submitting Letters to the Editors to local Newspapers across the State. If interested please see attached file for Letter templates!
PRO Act Informational meetings: We are mobilizing and organizing members through education. If you would like to organize a PRO Act Informational or want a short PRO Act presentation at your next Local union meeting, Please Contact me to set up the event.
Follow the Bill: If you are interested in following the PRO Act (HR 842) through Congress, Please Click the link!
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Ohio AFL-CIO Labor Leader Roundtables
2 Sessions To Choose From
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Save the Date - March 24! Celebrate CLUW's Anniversary with We Were There!
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The Coalition of Labor Union Women is celebrating its 47th anniversary with We Were There, a play consisting of great historical women leaders to current activists in the present.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
7:00 - 8:30 PM
This year, the program is available online. We hope CLUW members and supporters can join us and celebrate 47 years of America's only national labor union women's organization!
Please stay tuned for additional details.
Thank you for reading and celebrating CLUW's anniversary!
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Labor’s Voice: A Woman’s Place is in Her Union
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Dear members and allies:
Join the UCLA Labor Center and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO on Thursday, March 18, for Labor's Voice, a labor education series featuring the voices of workers, labor leaders, community leaders, and educators to promote inspiring ideas to advance policy change.
This Labor’s Voice program celebrates Women's History Month and features three outstanding women labor leaders, who are all anchoring national organizations within the labor movement.
Elise Bryant is the President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
Yanira Merino is President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.
Monica Thammarath is President of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.
Moderated by Kent Wong, Director of UCLA Labor Center
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Getting Charged Up at IBEW Local 212!
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New members sworn into IBEW Local 212! |
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Following in the footsteps... |
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Jason Wiggins with his son John |
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Keith Schaefer with his stepson Jacob Cimini |
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Congratulations to all our newest Sisters and Brothers of Local 212 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, joining approximately 775,000 active members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The IBEW has members in both the United States and Canada and stands out among the American unions in the AFL-CIO because it is among the largest and has members in so many skilled occupations.
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(IBEW Photo Credit: Phil Bovard) |
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Let's Pass The PRO Act! Town Hall
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Join us, rank and file union members, and labor leaders from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana for a Town Hall discussing the PRO Act, and learn about how it could change the face of labor forever, by allowing workers all over the US of north or south, regardless of immigration status, the ability to more freely and safely organize their workplace.
From the national Pass The Pro Act Campaign's website:
President Joe Biden pledged to “be the most pro-union president you’ve ever seen.” The labor movement played a pivotal role in delivering Biden’s victory, now it’s time for the Biden administration to deliver for workers.
In February of last year, Congress passed the PRO Act. It has 196 cosponsors in the House, 43 supporters in the Senate, and the support of both President Biden and VP Kamala Harris.
It’s time for each and every one of them to fight for and demand the labor law reform we need, beginning with the PRO Act.
The PRO Act would dramatically grow workers’ power on the job by expanding union membership, reforming decades-old labor laws, banning so-called “right to work” laws and ending employer intimidation or interference in union drives.
We’ve been sold false promises for decades, and it must come to an end now.
If the labor movement stands together united across industries in this one demand, we can win.
The stakes for all of us couldn’t be higher.
After nearly 100 years without positive labor law reform, we must work together to pass the PRO Act.
The Pass the PRO Act Campaign is supported by 180 unions and 50 combined state labor federations and statewide building trades councils comprising 9 million members.
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Have you seen our new courses?
Register today and prepare for the future of work.
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Real-world, practical, conflict-resolution training opportunities!
Sharpen your skills with live, instructor-led virtual courses.
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Mediation Skills
Dealing effectively with conflict in the workplace has become a critical function in public and private organizations. Employers and employees are increasingly turning towards mediation to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation. Mediation has successfully applied to many types of workplace disputes, including grievances, EEO complaints, superior/subordinate problems, and peer conflicts. This workshop focuses on the mediation process and the skills required to be successful. Facilitating difficult conversations, creative problem-solving, interpersonal negotiations, and communication will be covered.
Highly interactive, this course will use large and small group discussions, online discussion boards, role-plays reflecting a variety of workplace conflicts, and other exercises along with instructor-led presentations to prepare you for real-life workplace dispute and problem resolution.
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For additional details, contact FCMS at 202-606-FMCS (3627) or www.fmcs.gov
To learn about custom-tailored courses for your organization taught by seasoned labor-relations practitioners, or to inquire about discounted group rates, contact Valerie Harragin at fmcs_institute@fmcs.gov
The FMCS Institute for Conflict Management delivers practical, experience-based, conflict resolution training for individuals and groups. Institute training is specifically designed to meet the real-world challenges of labor-management relations and organizational change. Programs provide participants the opportunity to interact with and learn from experienced practitioners. The Institute staff is comprised of FMCS Mediators, FMCS Office of Strategy and Development staff, and private-sector arbitrators. Sessions are held at locations nationwide.
FMCS Institute is a SHRM Recertification Provider.
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Additional Courses Available Now |
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Combating Workplace Burnout During a Pandemic
Cynthia Pyle
4/14/21
Mediation Skills
David Moora, Kevin Hawkins, & Gemma LoPresti
Offered free of charge as a public service
4/20 - 4/22 & 4/27 - 4/29/2021
$1,300 ($1,200 for early bird) group rates available!
5/11, 5/18 & 5/25/2021
Funny You Should Ask: The Art and Science of Asking Questions
Heather Brown & Valerie Harragin
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Becoming A Labor Arbitrator
Arbitrators Jack Clarke & Elizabeth Neumeier
$225
5/10 Orientation and
6/14 - 6/18/2021
$2,700
6/22 - 6/24 &
6/29 - 7/1/2021
Negotiations Skills
Jourdan Smithwick, Christy Yoshitomi, Dan Sims, &
Valerie Harragin
$1,300 ($1,200 for early bird)
group rates available!
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Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Update - Mar. 10, 2021
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Governor DeWine Announces Cincinnati, Columbus Pop-Up Mass Vaccination Sites |
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that Ohio's state-sponsored Cincinnati and Columbus pop-up mass vaccination sites will open next week.
Both vaccination clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine to those eligible to be vaccinated under the Ohio Department of Health’s vaccination plan. Individuals who receive their first dose of vaccine at a pop-up site will be guaranteed their second dose at the same site approximately three weeks later. Details on how to register for an appointment will be available in the coming days.
The 50,000 total vaccine doses that will be available as part of these pop-up mass vaccination clinics are being reallocated from Ohio's unused long-term care vaccine supply that was initially required by the federal government to be set aside for use in Ohio's more than 2,400 long-term care facilities as part of the federal long-term care program. Ohio has already administered nearly 160,000 reallocated doses from the program.
Columbus
St. John Arena
410 Woody Hayes Drive
- First dose clinic dates: March 18, 19, 20, 21 - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Second dose clinic dates: April 8, 9, 10, 11 - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This state-sponsored, pop-up mass vaccination clinic will have the capacity to administer up to 12,500 first doses and 12,500 second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The site will be operated by Kroger in cooperation with Franklin County Public Health and Columbus Public Health. Free parking will be available in the parking lot to the north of St. John Arena off of Lane Ave.
Cincinnati
Cintas Center
1624 Herald Avenue
- First dose clinic dates: March 18, 19, 20 - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Second dose clinic date: April 8, 9, 10 - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This state-sponsored, pop-up mass vaccination site will be operated by Kroger in cooperation with Cincinnati Public Health, Hamilton County Public Health, and the Health Collaborative. The clinic will offer approximately 10,000 first doses and 10,000 second doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Approximately 2,500 first doses and 2,500 second doses will be administered in Kroger stores located in high-risk Cincinnati-area communities that could be disproportionately impacted by the virus. Kroger clinic locations will be announced.
The Columbus and Cincinnati pop-up mass vaccination clinics being held next week are in addition to 15 permanent state-sponsored mass vaccination clinics and one state-federal mass vaccination clinic announced last week.
For details on the 15 permanent mass vaccination sites located regionally across the state, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Check Eligibility and Book Your Vaccination
Need help or have questions?
See a map of all providers in the state on our Vaccine Provider Location Search
Looking for a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you?
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Questions and Answers
COVID-19 Vaccination: Ohio's Phased Approach
Questions about COVID-19
Ohio Department of Health call center is ready to answer your questions about COVID-19
Call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634)
The Call Center is staffed from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, including weekends.
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Global Confirmed ─ 118,152,254
Global Deaths ─ 2,622,294
U.S. Confirmed ─ 29,155,093
U.S. Deaths ─ 529,267
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Current Trends
Below are the current reporting trends for key indicators calculated from data reported to the Ohio Department of Health. The graphics and information were taken from the Ohio Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) website Thursday, March 11.
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Hamilton County
Cases
74,226
Hospitalizations
2,668
Deaths
1,073
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Clermont County
Cases
18,615
Hospitalizations
772
Deaths
206
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Brown County
Cases
3,767
Hospitalizations
55
Deaths
52
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Butler County
Cases
36,021
Hospitalizations
1,103
Deaths
535
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Warren County
Cases
22,710
Hospitalizations
651
Deaths
277
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Just The Facts:
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The pandemic has disproportionately impacted women and workers of color. There are nearly 10% fewer employed Black women than a year ago, but only 5% fewer employed White men.
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Five Republican members of Congress joined nearly every Democrat in the House to vote for the PRO Act.
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Some 2.5 million women have left the workforce since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Other Important Headlines: |
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Cincinnati AFL-CIO
Labor Council
Bill Froehle, President
Pete McLinden,
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Brian D. Griffin,
Director, Communication & Technology
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