Our country is very sick. Our society is on life support.

We don’t just mean the coronavirus. Black people are more likely to die both of COVID-19 and police violence. This is no coincidence; it’s proof that the racial injustice killing people of color in our country is not the fault of some “bad apples,” but runs both wide and deep throughout our society.

We join the family and friends of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, and far too many others in their grief. No one should have to suffer as they do. Our hearts are truly with them, now and always.

The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, is outraged by the murder of George Floyd and stands in solidarity with the peaceful protesters calling for an end to the racial injustice and inequality that plague this nation.

OPEIU has always been committed to finding solutions to economic and societal inequalities both on and off the worksite. The murder of George Floyd is the latest in a long line of instances of police brutality against people of color, and just one of the many insidious examples of systemic racism in this country. This is clear as our nation struggles with a much higher rate of infection among communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working people are desperate for our leaders to put partisanship aside and do what is right for our health, our economy and our country.

H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, includes an emergency workplace infectious disease standard; gives aid for state and local governments, public schools, police, firefighters, hospitals, the U.S. Postal Service, and pension relief; keeps workers on payrolls to avoid mass layoffs; extends unemployment insurance; provides more direct payments to working people; extends health care coverage; and provides housing and food benefits, and much more.

Post to Social Media today to protect our HEROES!

Because of the current economic and health uncertainty facing many of our members, your union is making it possible for all students who enroll through the OPEIU Low-Cost Degree Program at Central State University this summer to complete their degree with no out-of-pocket costs.

OPEIU members who enroll in the term beginning May 18 can do so under the same terms as the OPEIU Free College Program. All new and continuing students who are enrolled this summer will be eligible for a Free College last-dollar scholarship, which allows students to complete their degree (through graduation) with no out-of-pocket costs for tuition, fees or e-books. This represents a savings of more than $9,000.

Students can finish their teacher education or business administration bachelor’s degree affordably and safely. You must have earned an associate degree or have at least 60 credits in either field to be eligible. And remember, if you haven't earned your associate degree you can do so as always for NO COST through the OPEIU Free College Program.