Cincinnati
AFL-CIO
Labor Council
Friday, May 14, 2021
Leveling the Playing Field for Workers
America is moving closer to finally leveling the playing field for workers by making the PRO Act the law of the land. I don’t need to tell you that our nation’s labor laws are broken or that they have been eroded over a century by big corporations and union-busting politicians. You have devoted your passion to defending working people, too often under a rigged system.

And as we regroup from an extremely successful week of action, we need to keep our foot on the gas pedal in the months ahead. You’ve heard me say it before: Passing the PRO Act isn’t a spectator sport. We need everyone out on the field doing everything you can to pass this transformational legislation. Our time is now. Just think of the future we can build together when we pass the PRO Act. No longer will employers act with impunity, bullying workers into submission. Millions of us will have a true voice on the job for the very first time. And we will grow the labor movement for generations to come.
New, Stronger Affordable Housing Coalition Rising From The Ashes of Issue 3
Former opponents from the recent “Issue 3: Cincinnati Affordable Housing Charter Amendment” are re-forming ranks, only now we are sitting on the same side of the table. Leaders representing the places where we all live, love, learn, work, play and pray are pulling together to form a new coalition to address the very real challenge of affordable housing in Cincinnati head-on.
 
There is a broad recognition that access to affordable housing in Cincinnati is a real and ingrained problem. There was no disagreement as to the reality of the challenge affordable housing poses, but rather the language of the ordinance. Access to affordable housing represents a complex set of issues that require a considered, forward-thinking solution -- one that looks beyond symptomology (the lack of affordable housing) and goes to causation (increased opportunities for work that pays a fair living wage).
 
There are many communities across the nation that are grappling with this same challenge, and many are winning the fight. It is doable. We must look to the places that are fighting the good fight and take from them both their best practices and their lessons learned and convert them into a plan that is right for us…here in Cincinnati. Our goal is to produce a genuine, SMART, viable, and sustainable plan that provides a legitimate solution to this problem, both now and into our future.
 
One can disagree with the merit of Issue Three, but it is irrefutable that it sparked a very real and necessary discussion that has brought us here. Solving this menace is now the zeitgeist of this community. It is the new spirit of our time and we must put aside our differences and take up the challenge. Our home, our future, the very quality of life in the Queen City depends on this. The challenge is very real, but so is our resolve. That is the work ahead of us, but rest assured, we will meet the challenge and rise to the occasion. Defeat is not an option. 
Peter M. McLinden, Esq.
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council
OHIO AFL-CIO WORKERS FIRST AGENDA
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. Our 2021-22 Legislative Agenda is outlined below and can be downloaded in a PDF here
Why Ohio Need The American Families Plan: See How It Will Benefit Working People In Every Corner Of The State
The White House released fact sheets that highlight the need for and impact of the investments proposed by President Biden in the American Families Plan in states and territories across the country. The American Families Plan is a once-in-a-generation investment in the foundations of middle-class prosperity: education, health care, and child care.

The American Families Plan is an investment in Ohio’s children and families – because when American families do well, our nation thrives. The American Families Plan is a once-in-a-generation investment in the foundations of middle-class prosperity: education, health care, and child care. It will help families cover the basic expenses that so many struggle with now, lower health insurance premiums, and continue the American Rescue Plan’s historic reductions in child poverty. It will yield significant economic returns – boosting productivity and economic growth, supporting a larger, more productive, and healthier workforce on a sustained basis, and generating savings to states and the federal government.
REGISTER NOW!! Cincinnati Labor Council 34th Annual Golf Tournament Friday, August 6

The Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council’s 34th Annual Golf Tournament is Friday, August 6, 2021, once again on the Grizzly Course at the City of Mason Golf Center! This nationally renowned course was designed by Jack Nicklaus, 18-time Major Champion and Ohio native, and has been host to several PGA, LPGA, and Senior PGA tournaments.
 
The entry fee is $150 per individual golfer or $500 for a four-person team. The fees include greens fees, carts, coffee, donuts, lunch, and prizes. Individuals and/or organizations may also purchase hole sponsorship ($150), lunch-only tickets ($35), our VIP Package, which includes a four-person team plus hole sponsorship ($600). We also gratefully accept donated items for door prizes at this fun event!
The above flyer lists all relevant details, including directions and a registration form with payment information. Just fill it out and send it along with your check made payable to Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council to Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council, 1385 Tennessee Avenue, 2nd Floor, Cincinnati OH 45229 and you are done.
 
The Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council Annual Golf Tournament helps provide the Council with the resources it needs to strengthen the Labor movement and continue providing valuable resources and services to working families in the greater Cincinnati area.
 
On behalf of over one-hundred-plus union affiliates, our union members, and all working families, I thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you Friday, August 6!
Registration for the 2021 AFL-CIO District Meeting Is Open
Registration for the six AFL-CIO District Meeting is now live, including the Great Lakes District meeting on June 3 and the Midwest District meeting on June 8.
 
Each of the 2021 District Meetings will be one-day sessions held virtually in May and June. The centerpiece of these meetings is the PRO Act, and the full agendas for each meeting are forthcoming.
 
We encourage leaders and staff from local unions, state and local federated bodies, and constituency groups to participate, so please feel free to share the registration links with anyone who may be interested.
 
To register for the Great Lakes District meeting, click here.
 
To register for the Midwest District meeting, click here.
Our November 2021 Goal: Electing Pro-Labor Candidates!
Brothers and Sister, 

One week ago the Cincinnati Labor Council got a major win with the rejection of Issue 3. Now that phase 1 of Labor 2021 is completed, we must move toward a bigger goal in November by electing Pro-Labor candidates. The first step in electing those candidates is building, connecting and educating our Labor council, unions and, communities.

We can start this process by identify local union coordinators (L.U.C’s), Political coordinators and organizers willing to learn and organize their communities and unions. This comes as a follow-up after our most robust L.U.C round up last year that contributed to the big Presidential win last November.

We can continue this trend of successful elections as long as we continue to build our Local Union Coordinator Database. If your Union has a new or existing: political director(s), LPC(s) or Political organizer(s), please Email or contact: Ohio AFL-CIO Southwest State Rep Julien Johnson @ 614-312-4507, jjohnson@ohaflcio.org 
— 
Julien Johnson 
He/Him/His
Southwest State Representative
Ohio AFL-CIO
614-312-4507
APALA Labor Town Hall on Anti-Asian Racism
How can we build a labor movement that is inclusive of Asian American workers and that fights to end anti-Asian racism with the same fervor as we fight for workers’ rights? How do we commit our leadership and each member to recognize anti-Asian racism in our unions historically and now, and commit to stop treating Asian American workers as disposable, as perpetual foreigners, or as invisible?

Join us to build the change we want to see in the labor movement, toward a vision of inclusion and justice for all workers.
Stand With Our Asian American and Pacific Islanders Friends and Neighbors
Ohio CLUW President Davida Russell Paving A Path For Worker Power in Ohio
As a union member and 20 year president for her OAPSE/AFSCME local union, Davida Russell won her first-ever campaign for public office and is now a Councilwoman for the city of Cleveland Heights. As a Path to Power union member elected official, Davida led the effort to pass a resolution in support of the PRO Act, helped pass protections against housing discrimination based on ‘source of income and worked closely with Police Chief Annette Mecklenburg to ban the use of choke holds, like the one applied to the neck of George Floyd in Minneapolis
 
Well known for her dedication to working people, she has been in the forefront of organizing, educating, training, increasing political awareness among workers.
 
Davida wrote, produced and directed a union play called “We May Be Getting Old… But We Ain’t Dead Yet”! The play was presented in Cleveland’s downtown Music Hall for the OAPSE/AFSCME Convention. She’s the author of the book “The Birth of a Union: The Legacy of Noridean McDonald” published in 2007. She graduated from the George Meany National Labor College with a double major Bachelor’s in Labor Studies and in Union Leadership and Administration. 
 
Davida is also a Substitute Teacher and bus driver for South Euclid Lyndhurst City School Districts. She also serves as the State President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), a Vice President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, State Executive Board Member, President of the Northeast Ohio District of the OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4, Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the North Coast Area Labor Federation, and Trustee of the Cleveland North Shore Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, In these positions, Davida represents more than 180,000 members across Ohio and 11,000 just in Northeast Ohio. Learn more about and become a member of CLUW here.
Sen. Sherrod Brown: Working For Working People!
Co-op Cincy’s Union Co-op Symposium 2021
SAVE THE DATE! 

We hope you can join us!
Economics of well-being: Building a just economy
Co-op Cincy’s Union Co-op Symposium 2021
November 12-13, 2021
(In July we will determine whether it is virtual or in person or some fun combo!)

HELP SHAPE THE EXPERIENCE
We want your feedback! Help us to create a super useful experience for you!

Click on this link to complete the survey
The new world can't wait. Help us build our solidarity economy:


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Info:
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Contact us: (513) 549-3381 | info@cincinnatiunioncoop.org
May Webinar Info From Our Friends at RetireMEDiQ
What You Need to Know Before You Enroll in Medicare

Are you planning to enroll in Medicare in the near future? If so, you have several factors to consider as you decide on the details. Whether you’re enrolling when you are first eligible at age 65 or signing up later, you can use this list as a starting point!

May Medicare Must-Knows

As your local advisor in Medicare, RetireMEDiQ wants you to be in the know about the latest Medicare news. We post updates every month about recent developments in the Medicare industry and how your health care may be affected. This month, read about delays to funding cuts, COVID-19 vaccinations, and more!

To learn more about Medicare, you can also view a list of our upcoming webinar topics. 
Black Empowerment Works – Now Accepting Applications
Dear United Way friends,

Our Black Empowerment Works grant program is returning for a second year and we need YOU to make it successful. 

Black Empowerment Works promotes Black self-determination, social mobility and economic prosperity by resourcing and funding community-based, Black-led ideas addressing poverty. This program is one of many ways we're working to create a more equitable community — a local solution addressing the underinvestment in Black-led ideas by traditional philanthropy nationwide. Last year, 28 Black-led ideas, programs and projects received more than $600,000 in philanthropic funds to support their important work in our communities.

We want to keep the momentum going. Here are three ways you can help: 

  • Apply to receive a grant (from $2,500 to $25,000). Take your idea to help your community and make it a reality. Deadline: July 8.
  • Serve as a reviewer. Help choose the grants that will change our communities. Deadline: June 18. 
  • Share the Black Empowerment Works information within your networks. Word-of-mouth is one of the primary ways applicants learned about the program last year.

Too many Black families and individuals in our region experience poverty, and too few Black-led ideas, programs and projects receive funding and resources to address it. We can change that together.

Sincerely,

Moira Weir
President/CEO
Global Confirmed ─ 160,653,971

Global Deaths ─ 3,335,624

U.S. Confirmed ─ 32,839,259

U.S. Deaths ─ 584,230

Global Map        U.S. Map
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).

5/13 COVID19 Update
Courtesy of Government Strategies Group, LLC
Current COVID Data

There are currently 140.2 cases per 100,000 Ohioans, down from 155.6 cases per 100,00 last week.
  • 1,087,182 total cases
  • 19,441 deaths
  • 57,718 hospitalizations and 7,953 ICU admissions

Expiration of Health Orders

Governor DeWine announced yesterday that most COVID-19 health orders would be removed on June 2nd, citing wide access to the vaccine. Measures to be removed include facial covering protocols, social distancing guidelines, and capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events. Remaining health orders will related to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which have federal safety protocols, and data collection related to COVID. 

Vaccine Incentives & Statewide Drawings

To increase the number of Ohioans who have not yet received a vaccine, Governor DeWine announced a series of statewide drawings to help incentivize vaccinations. Five weekly prizes will be drawn. Ohioans 18 and older who have received at least one dose will be eligible to receive $1 million, and Ohioans younger than 18 who received the vaccine will be entered for a four-year full scholarship (tuition, room, and board) to any Ohio state college or university.

Youth Vaccines: 12-15

Pfizer is now available to children as young as 12. Previously. Pfizer was only available to children 16 and older. This announcement comes after Monday's recommendation by the CDC to open eligibility to this age group.
  • Must have parental/guardian consent.
  • Children age 12 must have a prescription to be vaccinated at a pharmacy.
  • Children 13 and older do not need a prescription and can be vaccinated at a pharmacy, school, health center, or local health department.

A bill has been passed by the Ohio Legislature to permit children ages 7-12 to be vaccinated without a prescription. The bill would take immediate effect once signed by the governor. 

KEY LINKS:

Ohio's central scheduling system: gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov
All vaccine providers: vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov
Hamilton County COVID testing: healthcollab.org/testandprotect
Hamilton County
Cases
80,230
Hospitalizations
3,105
Deaths
1,206
Clermont County
Cases
19,821
Hospitalizations
828
Deaths
238
Brown County
Cases
3,956
Hospitalizations
60
Deaths
57
Butler County
Cases
38,440
Hospitalizations
1,470
Deaths
584
Warren County
Cases
24,329
Hospitalizations
720
Deaths
300
Other News For and About Working People:
Cincinnati AFL-CIO
Labor Council
Bill Froehle, President
Pete McLinden,
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Brian D. Griffin,
Director, Communication & Technology
1385 Tennessee Avenue | Second Floor | Cincinnati, OH 45229 | 513.421.1846 | info@cincinnatiaflcio.org | www.cincinnatiaflcio.org