Remember "Essential Workers" on Memorial Day

OCEA Steward Greg Fuller passed away last January battling cancer and COVID-19.

 

Dear OCEA member,

Memorial Day is an American Holiday that serves as both a somber remembrance of fallen soldiers who died protecting us and an opportunity to celebrate with our families the sacrifices of the few that have made possible the security of the many.

As we enjoy this long weekend with our families, we can also take time to think about the sacrifices made to continue to provide vital public services in the face of an unprecedented pandemic. We have always known the work done by OCEA-represented workers is “essential.” Public health nurses, social workers, public safety workers, and many others, stepped up this year even while faced with the risk of contracting COVID-19 and perhaps spreading it to their families and vulnerable loved ones.

While the work of our County, Courts, cities, and special district workers is inspiring, the effort to keep our society moving in a semblance of order came at a cost. The labor movement lost a great advocate with the passing of OCEA Steward Greg Fuller earlier this year. He posted the following message on his social media page while battling the virus: “From my Family to the OCEA Staff and families, thank you for your Prayers. Appreciate all of my Union sisters and brothers.”

Greg and his family represent so many other workers lost to the pandemic including AFSCME labor leader Sandra Fox who ably represented County of Orange workers at SSA. Many OCEA members also had loved ones who died of the Coronavirus.

The pandemic has also revealed to the community that “essential workers” can also be grocery store workers, farmworkers, and maintenance workers charged with sanitizing literally every surface we interact with at work. The pandemic has shown that there is inherent dignity and worth in every occupation and that workers deserve fair wages and benefits that protect their families. At OCEA, we sum up these principles with our commitment to Safety, Security, and Stability. Standing together with you, we will fight for these principles every day. 

I hope you enjoy this time off with your family. That’s exactly what Greg and Sandra would want us to do. On a day like Memorial Day, when we think about those who gave all, let’s also remember our fellow workers and their sacrifices, too.

In Solidarity,

Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager

Publication Date: May 31, 2021