Dear Sisters and brothers,

At our upcoming 23rd Biennial convention in October we will be electing and re-electing leaders responsible for the continued growth and effectiveness of our great union.

At this time I am announcing that, after much thought and consideration, I will retire and NOT run for re-election as AFSCME Ohio Council 8 president.

Many people think of John Lyall as the face of AFSCME Ohio Council 8. Those of you who know me understand that’s not true. I’ve always tried to make it clear that our union isn’t about me, our elected leaders, or professional staff. It’s about you – the members.

YOU are the people in charge of our union – each and every member. Ohio Council 8’s leaders and staff work hard to make our union great. But at the end of the day, we are a member-driven union. That means we need the participation of every member to make us that much better and that much stronger.

I am hopeful about our union’s future because I know it will be capable hands. While leaders come and go, our union always carries on. Clearly, Ohio Council 8 is not going anywhere except forward.

Sisters and brothers, I want you to understand that this was not an easy decision to make. However I know that it is the right one for me, my family and my union family, AFSCME Ohio Council 8.

Like any organization, we can benefit from new leaders and new ideas. I have full confidence that whoever YOU choose to lead us as our next president will take our union to even greater heights.

I look forward to the next great chapter in Ohio Council 8’s history. It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as your President. My heart will always be with our great union.

In solidarity,
John A. Lyall

Ticks – Beware These Summer Hitchhikers

The summer season is here, and many Ohio Council 8 members are busy mowing grass, removing brush and cutting back undergrowth in parks, along streets and highways, vacant lots and rights of way.

Summer is also tick season. Outdoor workers need to be vigilant to protect themselves and their families from these summertime hitchhikers. According to the Ohio Department of Health, your odds of getting bit by a tick and contracting a disease are getting higher each year in Ohio.

In the past four years, the number of cases of Lyme disease in Ohio nearly doubled, with 293 cases reported in 2018. There have already been more than 27 cases reported statewide so far this year.

In addition to Lyme disease, tick bites can also transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Health records indicate there were 38 Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases last year across Ohio.

If you experience a tick bite on the job, make sure you report the bite to your supervisor as you would any work-related injury. If the bite should make you ill, you will have proof that it occurred on the job and the documentation you will need to take sick leave or apply for workers compensation.

Thoroughly check yourself and your clothing at the end of your shift or soon after. Ticks are notorious hitchhikers and while you may not get bitten, you may be bringing an infected tick into your home where it could bite other family members or pets.

Click here for more information on tick bites.

Ohio Council 8 is sad to report the death of AFSCME Local 250 member Leroy Garrison Jr., 48 who died Monday in an on the job accident.

A Cincinnati city electrical maintenance worker in the Department of Public Services, Garrison, a father of two, was working alone when he apparently came into contact with energized wires.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic death,” said AFSCME Ohio Council 8 President John A. Lyall.  “He was a respected, long-time city employee and he will be missed by his family, his community and all who knew him.” 

Emergency crews responded after 911 callers reported the accident and found active wires covering the bucket of his City Public Services truck.

The city has suspended all non-emergency electrical maintenance while the death is investigated. Officials said flags at all city buildings would be lowered in Garrison’s honor according to the city manager’s office.

Members of AFSCME Local 2415 representing University of Toledo Medical Center employees showed their support for nearly 2,000 nurses and support technicians on strike at Mercy Health’s St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.

The dispute centers on two main issues: fair and equitable contract so they can get back to the work they love — caring for our community,” said Randy Despoisto, President of the 2000-member union at UTMC.

United Auto Workers Locals 12 and 2213, representing St. Vincent Medical Center workers, filed unfair labor practice charges against the hospital because of supervisors who have been threatening employees in one-on-one captive audience meetings urging them not to participate in strike.

Since July 30, the two sides have met a total of 56 times. The unions are negotiating the first labor contract for Mercy Health since it nearly doubled in size last year. St. Vincent has about 2,764 workers, and 1,884 are under union contract.

Local 2415 member Desiree Spears, second from right, with union President Randy Desposito, far right, support striking nurses at St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.

For Immediate Release

April 24, 2019

NURSES AND MEDICAL STAFF WILL KEEP WORKING

AFSCME OHIO COUNCIL 8 THANKS COMMUNITY AND ELECTED LEADERS FOR STANDING UP FOR WORKERS

CLEVELAND – John Lyall, AFSCME Ohio Council 8 president, announced today an agreement has been reached with Cuyahoga County, and nurses and medical staff at the Cuyahoga County Jail will have jobs and not face being fired without due process.

Lyall thanked UAW Region 2-B Director Rich Rankin, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Chairwoman Shontel Brown, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, County Council President Dan Brady and MetroHealth Systems CEO Dr. Akram Boutros for their efforts over the past week to work together to ensure the nurses and medical staff were not fired.

“The nurses and medical staff at the Cuyahoga County Jail are dedicated, caring, and deserve to be respected for their commitment to our community,” said John Lyall, President of AFSCME Ohio Council 8. “I’m hopeful that our elected and community leaders will double their resolve in the future to stand up for working people. When workers like these nurses and medical staffers contribute so much to the well-being of our community, they in return deserve to be treated fairly with a living wage, health care, and dignity. They were not asking for anything more than to keep working, and I’m glad we were able to make sure they will have jobs.”

The picket line scheduled for the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Dinner on April 28th has been cancelled.

Lyall also thanked Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga, Petee Talley, retired Secretary Treasurer, Ohio AFL-CIO, Northshore Federation Executive Secretary Harriet Applegate, North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, President Pat Gallagher, North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, and leadership in OAPSE AFSCME, SEIU 1199 and FLOC for their support and help in bringing the sides together.

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For more information:

Joe Weidner

614.841.1918

jweidner@afscme8.org