The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association
Union News / November 17, 2022
OCSEA Veteran of the Year award announced at annual veterans celebration
About a hundred OCSEA activists gathered for the union's annual celebration of veterans. The OCSEA Veterans Affairs Committee Conference was held in Columbus this past Saturday to honor our union member veterans, past and present, offer resources, and to announce the annual Veteran of the Year and Veteran Supporter of the Year Awards.
The OCSEA Larry Cremeens Veteran of the Year Award was presented to Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Chapter 2515 steward Todd Mountain. Todd is a veteran of the U.S. Army and is an active representative with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. Last year the Association raised $24,000 for the Nationwide Children's Hospital Christmas in July event. He also organizes a poker run annually to raise funds for Fisher House, which offers temporary free lodging to service members while their children are hospitalized. Todd was nominated by his chapter president Karl Hildebrand who calls Todd a valuable chapter member and steward who is "ready to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed."
The OCSEA Veterans Supporter of the Year Award was presented to Jennifer Casedy, a Corrections Sergeant at the Ohio State Penitentiary. Jennifer was nominated by her Chapter 5041 President Sam Fero for her involvement in fundraising events for military members, including charities that provide housing assistance to veterans, provide service animals for disabled veterans, and give scholarships to individuals whose parent(s) were killed in active duty. She is actively involved in promoting veterans charities and creating challenges during the annual Combined Charitable Campaign. She is part of a group that sends cards to troops and works with incarcerated adults to send cards as well. She is involved in Christmas in July to send food boxes and more to deployed military members.
See photos from the celebration on OCSEA's Facebook page.
Take Action! Tell Ohio House Committee to ditch the dental bill
The Ohio House Insurance Committee could take up the dangerous "dental bill" before the end of the 2022 "lame duck" legislative session in a last ditch effort to ram the bill through. That's why OCSEA activists are taking action NOW to make sure that doesn't happen.
If passed, Ohio House Bill 344 would give dentists the ability to charge OCSEA members, and all insured Ohioans, more out-of-pocket for non-covered dental services. Delta Dental currently is able to negotiate a cap on non-covered services on behalf of OCSEA members.
OCSEA activists have fought back the dental bill many times before, but it could be back on the table unless we do something about it! HB 344 puts the power in the hands of dentists and their lobbyists and prevents dental insurance providers, like Delta Dental, from negotiating lower fees for non-covered services for their members. Please write a letter to House Insurance Committee members now! Click the blue button below and tell them to do what's best for already-struggling Ohioans and ditch the dental bill once and for all!
Windfall elimination resolution introduced in Ohio House
In good news for public retirees, Ohio House Representative Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) has introduced House Concurrent Resolution 52 - WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION to urge Congress to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision.
For the last 40 years, OCSEA and AFSCME retirees have been fighting to try to change a federal law, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Protection Act (WEP), that prevents employees with a public pension (and their survivors) from collecting their full Social Security from jobs outside of public employment upon retirement.
Plummer introduced the resolution this week to put pressure on Congress to get these punishing provisions eliminated before the start of the new Congressional session next year. OCSEA and AFSCME will be keeping an eye on this resolution and any movement in Congress on this issue. Watch this space for more information.
Members get half-price Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo!
Looking to make a fantastic holiday tradition? Wildlights is opens soon at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and OCSEA members get half off the price of admission. You won’t want to miss this festive annual event, which is open throughout the holiday season from Friday, November 18 to Sunday, January 1. The Columbus Zoo Christmas lights and festivities features displays of millions of LED lights and holiday fun. Visit with Santa, be awed by the amazing animated light displays, and see fascinating animals in select indoor and outdoor habitats (Please note that some animals settle in early such as the gorillas, bonobos and polar bears and will not be available to view after 4 p.m.) The Polar Bear Express train, Camel rides and the Carousel are also available for an extra fee. Stay tuned here for any special event announcements.
Purchase tickets online now, valid November 18, 2022-January 1, 2023 at ocsea.org/extras.
Feeling thankful this November? Tell us all about it!
For so many, being in a union is definitely something that makes them thankful. From affordable health care in a more expensive world, to job security in an ever-changing economy, union public employees know the power that comes with a collectively bargained union contract, especially in a world where so many workers have very little say on the job. That includes Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Chapter 2515 steward Vera E. Clark: "I am so thankful for the employment that allows me to be in the union and to have union support with brotherhood and sisterhood for causes," she says. She's thankful for her dental and vision care, and having great negotiators during contract time. "I am also thankful for being part of a conglomeration of strong, involved members," she says.
Are you thankful for the benefits and security that come with being a public union member? Tell us why you're thankful to be union HERE. With so much negativity in the world, we'd love to share what OCSEA members are thankful for and spread a little gratitude this holiday season.