Dental bill rears its ugly head again. Take action again!

It's a New Year, but it's business as usual in the Ohio General Assembly as legislators continue to take aim at your dental benefits. The constant attempts by legislators to push through their agenda to undermine the health care benefits of working people (and failing year after year) would be comical if it weren't so serious and didn't impact EVERY Ohioan with dental insurance. 

House Bill 160 would increase dental costs for OCSEA members and all Ohioans with dental insurance! If passed, HB 160 would prevent dental insurance providers, like Delta Dental, from negotiating lower fees for non-covered services for their members. Basically, it takes away the bargaining power that comes with having a benefits provider and gives dentists the ability to charge ANY AMOUNT of money they want for non-covered services.

A hearing of opponent testimony is taking place today, Wednesday, February 7 at 10 a.m. at the Ohio Statehouse. Your dental and vision provider, the Union Benefits Trust (UBT), has submitted opponent testimony urging legislators to VOTE NO on HB 160. The UBT adamantly opposes this legislation and any others like it that will harm OCSEA members and their families. 

TAKE ACTION: Contact members of the House Insurance Committee. Tell them to STOP unnecessary dental bills that would raise our out-of-pocket costs once and for all. Write a letter to the members of the committee and tell them to VOTE NO!

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Grab a spot for upcoming union trainings in March

There are a few spots remaining to join an upcoming union training webinar being held online over two days in March 2024. The number of participants for the Basic Steward Training webinar on March 4 was increased from 50 to 75, so if you were unable to grab a spot last week, there are some additional spots now available. All four trainings will take place over Zoom and training materials will be emailed to participants. Stay tuned for more trainings coming soon!

RSVP TODAY! 

Basic Steward Training 
Monday, March 4 - 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
RSVP HERE

Advanced Steward Training
Monday, March 4 - 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
RSVP HERE

Evidence, Investigatory Interview and Pre-D Training 
Thursday, March 7 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
RSVP HERE
 
Evidence, Investigatory Interview and Pre-D Training 
Thursday, March 7 - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
RSVP HERE 

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Continue to support Bargaining Team with Solidarity Wednesdays

Only through a united front can we show management that their proposed takeaways WILL NOT be tolerated!

Even though preparations are underway for mediation, Solidarity Wednesdays are VERY IMPORTANT! Support your OCSEA Bargaining Team every Wednesday by wearing OCSEA attire or the color green, at work or at home...that's every Wednesday through bargaining until we have a fair contract!!

Chapters are urged to hold Solidarity events at the workplace or during chapter meetings. Learn more HERE.

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Celebrating Black History Month: Black history is labor history!

Labor rights are civil rights, and labor history is Black history. From our earliest days, AFSCME has been a union of working people fighting for justice and equality. We’re proud of all the ways our members and leaders have stood up for civil rights throughout the long history of our union.

Throughout U.S. labor history, Black workers have played a key role not only in forming unions, but helping secure improved pay, benefits and working conditions even amid ongoing discrimination. From A. Philip Randolph and Dorothy Lee Bolden, black activists have led the way!

Download the February Union Bulletin Board Network packet, which includes an important Black History Month flyer to post on your union boards, offices or to share with co-workers as we celebrate this important month and our important union history. Or directly download the flyer HERE.

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There's so much to ❤️ about being union. Spread the word!