The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association
Union News / August 17, 2022
Help make a difference: Joint Combined Charitable Campaign to kick off August 24
The State of Ohio and OCSEA will kick off yet another season of charitable giving with the Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC) beginning Wednesday, August 24. The charitable campaign runs through Friday, October 21. The CCC is an annual labor and management initiative that encourages State of Ohio employees to donate to one or more of 1,100 local, regional, and international charitable organizations. Last year state employees donated more than $2.3 million through the campaign. Click here to see how far your CCC donation can go.
Employees can give to the CCC by making a pledge online at myOhio.gov or by submitting a paper pledge form through your campaign coordinator. The form and more information will also be available at Ohio.gov/OhioCCC.
Planning to attend next week's Team Up ODOT in Columbus? OCSEA will be providing lunch for attendees for $3 per meal (cash only), with all proceeds going to the CCC.
Read the campaign launch letter from OCSEA President Chris Mabe who, as always, is honored to have OCSEA Vice President Rocky Jolly co-chair the annual campaign:
The Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC) has been a special partnership between labor and management in the State of Ohio since its inception in 1989. Year after year, the campaign has demonstrated the incredible generosity of State of Ohio employees.
Look what happened during the pandemic. Despite essential state employees being on the frontlines for the last two years and having their own trials and tribulations, they made an extra effort to give back and help others less fortunate than themselves.
This giving spirit not only helped shine a light through the darkness for those in need, these efforts lifted us all up. It reminded us we are not alone, and that giving to others helps us all. It’s this same spirit that I know will continue this year as we build support for and heal our local communities.
By supporting the CCC our state employee members make it possible to find solutions to social justice issues, protect the environment, advance medical research, provide educational opportunities, house the underserved and feed the hungry. The mission of the CCC is just as urgent now as ever.
Simply put, the Combined Charitable Campaign brings out the good in all of us. I hope you’ll join me and other state employees in making a contribution to a charitable organization of your choice.
Mount Vernon DC members protest overtime, short staffing
While unemployment in the private sector is at historic lows, in the public sector, it’s a whole different ball game. Essential public employees in corrections and the state’s health care agencies left state employment in droves during the pandemic, leaving big holes in staffing levels.
In the Department of Developmental Disabilities, for example, the staff vacancy rate is at a shocking 40 percent. That’s why Mount Vernon Developmental Center employees from Dixie Chapter 4220 donned t-shirts this week with a message that mandatory overtime is keeping employees away from their families, and that it’s unacceptable.
Chapter President Jeana Campolo said MVDC staff there are at a breaking point and work on average 60 hours a week. She said the shirt was a way to say “we are in this together and to let management know this is affecting employees’ lives in a major way.”
Although MVDC continues to hire Therapeutic Program Workers (TPWs), the mandatory overtime makes the job less attractive for those who remain, Jeana explained. “They’ll hire in like three to six TPWs, but, when they hit the floor, three more are leaving,” she said. MVDC currently has 46 vacancies.
She said the local union chapter is doing everything it can to keep engaging management and pushing them to get employees relief. “We’re obviously pushing for more help from ancillary departments and management to take shifts and help relieve stress on direct care,” said Jeana. She said they have continuous discussions with management about recruiting more staff and that efforts are now being made to get the word out about direct care jobs at county fairs, in movie advertising and on billboards. “We’re just really trying to work together to get through a tough time,” she said.
OCSEA Stands with Columbus, Niles teachers as strikes loom
Nearly 700 Columbus educators were supported by students, parents and community members as they rallied outside the Columbus Board of Education’s meeting yesterday. Columbus Education Association (CEA) members continue to fight for a fair contract that would provide the resources that teachers, students and families deserve.
The teachers union continues to meet with the BOE this week on an agreement. CEA filed its Notice of Intent to Strike and Picket with the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) on August 11. A strike could commence at 12:01 a.m. on August 22 if the parties don’t reach agreement on their contract. Sign the Community Support Petition at ceaohio.org/ and "demand the board negotiate for safe, properly maintained and fully resourced schools!"
Additionally, OCSEA continues to monitor the contract negotiations of Niles Education Association union members. The Niles teachers also voted unanimously to issue a Notice of Intent to Strike and Picket for 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 1, if an agreement is not reached. The board of education threatens to rescind wages and benefits of any striking teacher.
"OCSEA stands with Ohio's union teachers in their fights for fair contracts. We stand in support with our sisters and brothers in education and will march the picket lines and more, if we have to," said OCSEA President Chris Mabe. He encourages any OCSEA members who have students in these districts to stand with teachers and not cross any picket lines.
Inflation Reduction Act becomes law, a major win for working families, says AFSCME
The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law this week. AFSCME President Lee Saunders says the law that will lower costs for families while reducing the federal deficit, allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices, fights climate change, makes multi-billion dollar corporations pay their fair share and much, much more.
AFSCME members and retirees throughout the country have long advocated for these priorities. The new law is a historic victory for working families. President Saunders hailed the landmark legislation: “The Inflation Reduction Act is another example of what we can achieve when we elect pro-worker candidates committed to improving the lives of everyday people instead of enriching billionaires and CEOs,” Saunders said in a statement. “It builds on the progress made by previous legislation to fund state and local public services, empower and invest in child care workers, repair our roads and bridges, rebuild water systems, and so much more.” Read more.
Making sure your back to school is union-made
As students and teachers head back to school and get those long lists of school supplies, make sure you look for Union-Made products. Brands include Mead/Acco Brand products, including Five Star supplies and organizational gear; Roaring Spring Paper Products; Boise Paper Products, Pacon Brand Products; International Paper Products; Clauss scissors; and Master Lock. See lists of union-made school supplies and other products HERE.