Celebrating 40 years of Ohio collective bargaining
Forty years ago today, July 6, the Ohio Collective Bargaining was signed into law by Governor Richard Celeste, giving Ohio's public union members the legal right to sit down and negotiate the terms of their employment. For 40 years since 1983, union members have been fighting to build and protect their union contracts. This includes the rights of OCSEA members to bargain wages, health care, leaves, safety on the job, longevity, overtime, pick-a-post and so much more.
This milestone is a reminder of how far we've come as union members in Ohio, but it's also a stark reminder of all there is to lose. A union contract is more than a piece of paper, and our anti-union adversaries know that. "Only when we stick together in solidarity can we stand up and protect 40 years of union rights against those who want to dismantle them––now and in the future," said OCSEA Vice President Rocky Jolly.
OCSEA union brother Eldrid Davis has a 40 plus year career with the Ohio Expositions Commission. He remembers what life was like without a union. That's why he has dedicated his entire career to fighting for union rights for himself and his members.
"When I started as a student, I was making $2.45 an hour, and then $3-$5 an hour full-time. When the union came in and we got collective bargaining, that wage more than doubled, plus health care, plus leave, and overtime," said Davis, who is known as "E.D." in his union circle. "How many employers do you know that are just going to be gracious enough to give us raises without a union? None," said E.D.
From the beginning when the law went into effect, E.D. took the opportunity to become involved and to be a voice for members, first as a union steward, then on labor/management and safety committees and eventually as his chapter's president. Today, his chapter, Franklin Chapter 2500, represents hundreds of State OCSEA members across Columbus.
"We've gotta fight for what we've got, for what we won all those years ago. We need to fight together," said E.D. "Because they will be coming after what we've fought for. We need to be on guard. We need to stand together. And we need to always vote our jobs."
For OCSEA union brother and Franklin Chapter 2500 President Eldrid Davis, an over 40-year employee with the Ohio Expositions Commission, the power of being union has become a way of life.
No on Issue 1 Day of Action is THIS Saturday, July 8!
The Ohio AFL-CIO No on Issue 1 campaign will host nine canvasses and lit drops all over the state THIS Saturday, July 8. This is the last Saturday before Early Voting begins next week, and union members across Ohio are needed to spread the word about the dangers of Issue 1, which attacks majority rule in Ohio. Get the Day of Action flyer.
For over 110 years, Ohioans have had the right to put Constitutional Amendments directly on the ballot for voter approval with a simple majority. This is the fair and democratic way. But now, out-of-state special interests are trying to silence our power.
Join union members and allies at a location near you for a NO on Issue 1 Lit Drop! There will also be additional postcard parties and more at these locations. Participants will also get access to yard signs, shirts and more at these Day of Action events.
SATURDAY, JULY 8 DAY OF ACTION EVENTS:
CINCINNATI - 9:00 A.M.
APWU Local 232, 1385 Tennessee Ave, Cincinnati
Contact: Evan Hennessy, ehennessy@ohaflcio.org | 614-961-5819
DAYTON - 9:00 A.M.
IBEW Local 82, 6550 Poe Ave, Dayton
Contact: Evan Hennessy, ehennessy@ohaflcio.org | 614-961-5819
AKRON - 9:30 A.M.
CWA 4302, 2650 S. Arlington Rd., Akron
Contact: Kathleen Kelly-Calcei, kcalcei@ohaflcio.org | 614-364-0787
YOUNGSTOWN / NILES - 9:30 A.M.
USW 2155, 1265 N. Main St. Niles
Contact: Kathleen Kelly-Calcei, kcalcei@ohaflcio.org | 614-364-0787
ATHENS - 10:00 A.M.
AFSCME Council 8, 36 S Plains Rd, The Plains
Contact: Mike French, mfrench@ohaflcio.org | 614-370-0954
CLEVELAND - 10:00 A.M.
PJ McIntyre's Pub, 17119 Lorain Ave, Cleveland
Contact: Brian Pearson, bpearson@clevelandaflcio.org | 330-402-8411
LORAIN - 10:00 A.M.
Union Town Provisions, 422 Broadway, Lorain
Contact: Robin Kocher, rkocher@ohaflcio.org | 614-961-5820
COLUMBUS - 10:00 A.M.
IBEW Local 683, 939 Goodale Blvd, Columbus
Contact: Jamie Shumaker, jshumaker@columbusaflcio.org | 614-560-5820
TOLEDO - 11:00 A.M.
Unity Coalition, 2903 Dorr St, Toledo
Contact: Evan Morrison, emorrison@ohaflcio.org | 614-284-0134
Download Day of Action Flyer
Looking ahead: Dayton No on Issue 1 Community Meeting
The next Community Meeting for No on Issue 1 will be held in Dayton on July 13. It will be held at the Dayton AFL-CIO Headquarters at 6550 Poe Ave, Dayton, OH 45414.
The Community Meeting is at 5:30 P.M. and will include speakers, food, and No on Issue 1 signs, shirts and more.
Get Dayton Community Meeting flyer | RSVP for the Dayton event
You did it. Remote work proposal pulled from state budget
OCSEA members across Ohio were monumental in ensuring a budget deal was reached last week to protect remote work. After mounting pressure from OCSEA members, union supporters and elected officials, the House of Representatives and Ohio Senate REMOVED the Senate language that would have all but done away with remote work for State and Education Department employees.
This was an enormous victory for OCSEA members who called and wrote Conference Committee members over the last two weeks asking them to reinstate the flexibility for state employees who have remote and/or hybrid schedules. Read more from OCSEA about the remote work victory!
July Union Bulletin Board Network: Pay raises, education assistance, discounts & perks and more
It's the beginning of the month and that means the July 2023 Union Bulletin Board Network (UBBN) flyers are here! Download your virtual bulletin board flyers at OCSEA.org/UBBN. The virtual bulletin board gives OCSEA members access to important union information with just a click of a button. This includes OCSEA events, benefit information, discounts and more.
This month's virtual fliers include:
- Value in Being Union Pay Raise edition!
- Growing your Opportunities with the Union Education Trust
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More college tuition assistance through our partners: Columbia Southern University, Drexel University Online & University of Arizona
- Working Advantage member-only summer deals
- Ohio Aquarium discounts
- African Safari Wildlife Park discount
Get UBBNs
Chapters should place UBBN flyers on workplace bulletin boards, where applicable, and distribute at chapter meetings. Need assistance printing flyers? Contact the OCSEA mailroom at 614-865-4733.
Have an adventure. members get 30% at the African Safari Wildlife Park
Get ready for a wild time at the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, near Sandusky! This drive- and walk-thru animal attraction is open seasonally each year AND OCSEA members are eligible for a 30% discount good toward any day tickets.
Go to OCSEA.org/extras to access the purchase ticket link and get the promo code for 30% OFF at checkout. This promo code is valid for any day, any time, any age admission throughout the 2023 season. Purchase your tickets online and print them out at home. You will be sent an email confirmation as well.
Get Tickets