They might be retired from work but that doesn’t mean they’re retired from life.

Retirees from Local 507 in Cleveland make it a point to be active, involved and engaged—especially when it comes to issues that affect their union brothers and sisters. When Ohio needed 230,000 signatures to repeal SB5, the anti-worker legislation on the November ballot, Teamster retirees helped collect the 1.3 million signatures that were delivered. And they’re at it again.

On September 15, more than 400 retirees attended a quarterly luncheon where they heard from state Sen. Tom Patton and learned what they could to do stop voter suppression.

“The message I took away from Sen. Patton is it doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat. It’s about doing the right thing,” said Local 507 retiree Charles Smith. “Tom Patton comes from a working background and he fights for working families. That’s what’s important.”

The Republican senator addressed issues facing voters in Ohio today, including House Bill 194 which aims to limit early voting, prohibit poll workers from assisting voters and make it more difficult for local boards of elections to promote early voting to all registered voters.

More than 230,000 signatures are needed by September 29 to stop the bill from becoming law. If the necessary amount of signatures are collected, HB 194 will appear on November’s ballot, where voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject it.

Patton called on Local 507 retirees to educate their communities about HB 194 and the importance of union membership—a task Smith doesn’t take lightly.

“I’m a retiree and I’m a voter and I want to let people know about the power they have at the polls. I don’t mind getting out, walking the pavement and knocking on doors to do that,” Smith said. “I believe in always giving back because the Teamsters gave so much to me.”

“I’m proud of our retirees for taking the initiative to empower and educate our younger members,” said Al Mixon, International Vice President and President of Local 507. “Retirees from Local 507 teach us what being a Teamster is all about.”

And for retiree Ramiro Martinez, being a Teamster means standing up for what you believe in.

“The middle class is disappearing before our eyes. When I read the paper, I see the average wage for a family is much less now than it was 10 years ago. We’re going the wrong way,” Martinez said. “We have to do something to protect our way of life. That means fighting for our rights and fighting for what we believe in.”

When asked what advice he would give to young people today, Martinez kept it short and sweet: become a Teamster.

“I want young people to have the kind of life I had. I’m living the American dream right now because of the Teamsters,” Martinez said. “If you’re a young person, the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to join a union.”