THE INFORMER
STATE BOARD UPDATE
The State Board of Directors met October 20th and voted to fill the vacancy made available when Daphne Smith resigned from the position 4/13/07.
The Taxation 2595 Chapter President and previous State Board candidate who was able to garner 487 votes from District 6 Union members in this summers run off election received 11 votes. Daphne Smith who apparently decided to attempt to regain her seat received 3 votes and Deborah Honore received 15 votes to win the position.
The general term for your State Board of Directors Representatives is 3 years. The next election for the other half of the Board seats will take place this coming June with 5 seats open to candidates. Taxation will again have a viable chance to gain a representative seat.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE
The additional item of extreme importance at the State Board of Directors October 20th meeting was the vote for renewal of the contract of the Executive Director of our Union.
Andy Douglas is our current Director and has been the catalyst in obtaining the respect our Union deserves from the current political machine. He has led the Union in overturning many of the obstacles that previous state government politicians put in place to hamper our union representation and organizational rights. All of us should remember the assult on collective bargaining.
He has renewed the rights of workers and overseen a reasonable contract that when compared with our previous one (2003-2006) in which we were subject to no raise, frozen steps, massive layoffs and wholesale cronyism it is a Godsend. He has also saved the Union millions of dollars, qualified the grievance process and greatly improved the legal division within OCSEA
(still working on the IT area).
The vote taken concerning the Executive Directors contract by the current State Board of Directors was less then satisfactory for our Union members.
The clear divisions that exist from the "old guard" are still prevelant and have turned a deaf ear and are ignoring the call from your elected delegates when they voted it's "Time for a Change".
Your elected Delegates voice was loud and clear and uprooted the previous President who reigned over the membership for more than 24 years.
At Convention we heard the voice of Eddie Parks your elected President state that all candidates were "Good Men" and "Good Woman" and that he supported
and would be able to work with Andy Douglas for our UNION, your Union.
As the vote progressed a division of the house was called for in order to record the actual individual representative vote for renewal or rejection of Judge Douglas contract.
The results as follows:
Those voting to NOT renew (rejected) Andy Douglas contract for 3 more years as the Executive Director of OCSEA.
Derek Collins Shirley Hubbert Kelvin Jones Louella Jeter
Quida Higbee Charlie Johnson Bob Boger Dave Bailey
Sharon Brown Tim Roberts Kate Callahan Debbie King
Debbie Honore Chris Mabe and Kathy Stewart
The total vote count as taken was 15 Board Members (above) voting against renewal and the balance of 14 votes were to renew with 2 members (Annie Person and Michelle Hunter) absent.
Your choice as Union members should be heard in this matter and I urge all of you to contact your State Board of Directors Representatives and convey your opinion on this important issue.
The District 6 State Board candidates who will be seeking your support this summer for re-election of their respective 3 year terms will include:
Derek Collins
Shirley Hubbert
Kelvin Jones
Deboarh Honore
Taxation will also be again seeking your support for endorsement to the State Board of Directors. Representation for All Union members is our belief and comittment.
Your opinion counts and the notice of your right to cast that Vote will reflect your commitment to our Union .
Please take the time to become involved and express your rights and voice your choice to your representatives. I welcome comment and support.
