AFSCME International Pres. Lee Saunders––a crowd favorite because of his enthusiasm and his booming voice––joined delegates in his hometown of Cleveland to talk about the road ahead and the AFSCME Get Organized (GO) campaign to build power in our workplaces!

Saunders said, in order to build power and to build strength, and to ensure we keep a seat at the table, "we must take it on as a union, together!"

"Our benefits are NOT hand outs," he said. "These are possible, because we are organized and we have made our voices heard. Nothing is more powerful than one worker looking another worker in the eye and asking them to be a part of something bigger than themselves," he said.

Pres. Saunders also had delegates and guests join in a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives on the job since the last convention, including ODOT brother Marty Crane and Ross Correction Officer Andy Lansing.

Representatives from the AFSCME GO initiative were also on hand to talk about the program and the power of organizing during general session. To learn more about AFSCME GO and to sign up for updates, visit AFSCMEGO.org.

OCSEA leaders also held panel to discuss how the OCSEA Leadership Training helped build their organizing skills. Chapters leaders have attended the trainings throughout the year to grow their skills and chapter involvement.