News
Bargaining support Pledge Cards available on chapter level
State contract bargaining support Pledge Cards are being distributed by local chapters! Show the OCSEA state bargaining team that you've got their backs as they prepare to go to the table to protect our union contract and fight for the wages and benefits that OCSEA members deserve!
Get your bargaining support Pledge Card from you chapter president. Fill it out and return to them. OCSEA members who sign a Pledge Card will be entered into a weekly drawing for gift cards, laptops, and other electronic devices starting on Friday, November 6. Two gift cards and an electronic prize will be given away EACH WEEK!
Back row, left to right: Damon Neal, Bill McAllister, Jennifer Wolfe, Micheal Sheeter, Matt Tyack, Bryan Weaver, Tom Holden, Wilson Humphrey, Marcus Harris; Middle row: Amy Mathews, Marie Pacer, Natalie Qualls, Deborah Weaver, Eric Kusky, Ray Harker, Brian Miller; Front row: Scott Buckridge, Bridget McGovern, Melissa Yank, Chris Mabe, Cynthia Watiker, Bill Homer, Doug Korba (not pictured: Jeff Condo)
Announcing your 2027 OCSEA Bargaining Team
On Sept. 12, 2026, over 300 OCSEA activists attended the OCSEA Bargaining Council in Columbus to elect the next OCSEA State Contract Bargaining Team. The Team will negotiate the OCSEA state contract that expires at the end of February 2027 and includes 24 OCSEA union members representing every state OCSEA bargaining unit as well as OCSEA's three executive officers. See the Team list below.
Now that the Team has been elected, our next steps will be to start building a winning strategy around our theme: Our Contract! Our Future! For the elected team members, that means working hard before the start of bargaining to get training on procedure, talk strategy and to take a deeper dive into the bargaining survey results. Over the next several weeks the team will focus on the priorities of the membership to create bargaining proposals and come up with strategies and tactics that match those priorities.
But the Bargaining Team can’t do this alone. The Team can’t demand our priorities be met and make gains at the table without the full support and participation of the OCSEA membership. While the Bargaining Team is busy these next few weeks, we hope all our membership will get busy too. We need EVERY member to take an active role in this year’s negotiations. That means a massive showing of solidarity and just plain union strength to show who really has the most power at the bargaining table.
“There are 50 days until we elect the next Governor of this state. We have a lot of gains to be made if we make the right choice at the ballot box,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe, who talked about why bargaining preparation is starting a little earlier than normal as the gubernatorial election approaches.
“It’s your contract, it’s our contract, and it’s worth fighting for. At the end of the day, we’re trying to get a good contract for the benefit of everyone, now and into the future.” said Mabe.
Stay informed! Sign up for Bargaining text alerts by texting OurContract (no spaces) to 237-263 from your mobile phone. Look for updates on this page: OCSEA.org/bargaining
Your 2027 Bargaining Team Members
- OCSEA Executive Officers: President Chris Mabe, Vice President Cynthia Watiker & Secretary-Treasurer Melissa Yank
- Bargaining Unit 3: Doug Korba (DR&C), Brian Miller (DR&C), Ray Harker (DR&C), Bill Homer (DR&C), Tom Holden (DR&C), Wilson Humphrey (DYS)
- Bargaining Unit 4: Marcus Harris (DBH), Deborah Weaver (DODD)
- Bargaining Unit 5: Jeff Condo (Veterans Services)
- Bargaining Unit 6: Michael Sheeter (DR&C)
- Bargaining Unit 7: Scott Buckridge (Cosmetology/Barber Board), Bill McAllister (ODOT), Marie Pacer (BWC)
- Bargaining Unit 9: Amy Mathews (BWC), Damon Neal (ODJFS), Eric Kusky (DR&C)
- Bargaining Unit 13: Bridget McGovern (EPA)
- Bargaining Unit 14: Bryan Weaver (Public Safety), Matt Tyack (Industrial Commission), Natalie Qualls (ODJFS), Jennifer Wolfe (DODD)