COVEN - Ohayocon Update - 10/6/2
This was the update that COVEN has provided to Ohayocon attendees today at 9pm regarding Ohayocon:
**tl;dr - please support COVEN and the other Volunteer staff as they strike the convention. Please do not promote Ohayocon. Strike and Digital Picket is being requested at this time**
Ohayocon Convention Labor Strike and Boycott Dear Ohayocon Community, We hope this message finds you well. It is with a heavy heart that we must address the recent developments regarding the future of Ohayocon. We, the Ohayocon Senior Leadership Team, had issued a set of parley demands to the Cultural Exchange Society Inc. (CESI) Board of Directors, outlining our concerns and requests for the future direction and leadership of Ohayocon. These demands were presented in the spirit of preserving the convention's legacy and ensuring its continued growth. Regrettably, the CESI board has failed to respond constructively by the given deadline, which was set for 9:00 PM on 10/06/2023. As a result, we the Senior Leadership Team of Ohayocon have been left with no choice but to take action in order to protect the interests of Ohayocon, its future, and its dedicated community. Effective immediately, we are calling for a labor strike among all current staff members of Ohayocon. This strike will impact various aspects of convention planning and operations. Furthermore, we call upon the entire Ohayocon community, including attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and stakeholders, to join us in a boycott of Ohayocon. We understand the significance of this decision, and we do not make it lightly. Our aim is to bring attention to the critical issues at hand and to work toward a resolution that ensures the convention's long-term success and sustainability.
[9:01 PM]We firmly believe that implementing the demands we presented would further create a positive and transparent environment for all involved with Ohayocon. These actions are not affiliated with the Conventions of Ohio Volunteer Event Network (COVEN) and represent our unique position within the organization. We remain open to constructive dialogue with CESI and sincerely hope that a resolution can be reached for the benefit of Ohayocon and its vibrant community. In the coming days, we will continue to provide further information about the strike's details and the boycott's impact. We ask for your understanding, support, and solidarity during this challenging time. Thank you for being a part of the Ohayocon family, and we look forward to a brighter future for our beloved convention. Sincerely, The Ohayocon Senior Leadership Team
From COVEN
Following the update from Cultural Exchange Society, Inc (hereafter referred to as CESI) and the lack of an acceptable response to demands set forth by the Senior Leadership of Ohayocon, the Conventions of Ohio Volunteer Event Network (hereafter referred to as COVEN) has unanimously voted to go on strike. COVEN, as a united association of Ohayocon volunteers, has officially ceased any and all work or actions that support Ohayocon as of 9 PM EDT today, October 6, 2023. This strike is in effect until further notice until such a time that CESI decides to open negotiations that satisfactorily benefit Ohayocon and its valued volunteers. COVEN hereby requests in solidarity that current and former volunteers do not attempt to recruit new volunteers for Ohayocon and do not advertise attending Ohayocon. COVEN also requests that current and former volunteers do not render any services to CESI on behalf of, or for, Ohayocon. The strike currently is a digital picket line, however that is subject to change should the strike not end by the start of Ohayocon 2024. We ask attendees and all interested parties to spread the word of the strike and digital picket line, and forward any questions to an official COVEN account. As for our attendees, your support for us is invaluable, and we cannot express our gratitude enough during this turbulent time. We love Ohayocon and its attendees and want nothing more than to have you attend a show that we are proud to put on. During the time that COVEN is on strike, we kindly ask that you do not advertise the show, nor suggest that anyone work for, or purchase, a badge for the convention. If you have already purchased one that’s okay; we hope for a swift resolution to this strike and a successful convention year. If you have already purchased a hotel room we do not suggest that you cancel at this time, but if you choose to we understand entirely. Please use #ISupportOhayoconVolunteers on any social media posts in relation to our efforts to show your support and solidarity. We will do everything we can to keep you updated across all our platforms, so please be on the lookout for any future messages. COVEN wishes to express that we are deeply saddened that it has come to this, however CESI’s treatment and lack of communication have led us to this point. We love our guests, attendees, and our deeply appreciated volunteers. We are grateful for the support you all have shown to us thus far. We are committed to making sure that Ohayocon is a convention that can be enjoyed by all for years to come. Sincerely, COVEN
COVEN Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/c.o.v.e.n
In other words, please support COVEN and the other Volunteer staff as they strike the convention. Please do not promote Ohayocon.
