Announcing our 2023 OCSEA Scholarship winners!
OCSEA is excited to announce the recipients of the 2023 OCSEA Les Best Scholarships. Eleven awards were given in the Dependents' College and Members' College categories as well as two book scholarships for members.
OCSEA’s Les Best Scholarship makes available a total of $12,000 in scholarships each year to OCSEA members, their dependents and spouses. An additional $500 is also being awarded to two members through the Pat Callanan-Castro Book Scholarship.
Applicants are encouraged to reapply yearly, as Les Best Scholarship recipients are eligible to win up to three total awards during their educational journey.
Congratulations to all our 2023 Les Best Scholarship winners:
Dependent’s College/Vocational
- Maranda Dick - parent, Vanessa Steigerwald-Dick, Ohio EPA
- Aiden Bennage - parent, Jennifer Bennage, Ohio EPA
- Isabelle Kolleth- parent, Adam Kolleth, Dept. of Youth Services
- Willis McClure IV - parent, Willis McClure III, Ohio Dept. of Public Safety
- Karlie Kistler - parent, Kimberly Kistler, ODJFS
- Alaina Robirds - parent, Amanda Robirds, BWC
- Alyssa Sifuentes - parent, Holly Sifuentes, Taxation
- Daniella Seum - parent, Robert Seum, Ohio Dept. of Public Safety
Members’ College
- Landon Conley, Dept. of Rehabilitation and Corrections
Landon was also a winner of the Pat Callanan-Castro book scholarship - Stephanie Peeper, Mental Health and Addiction Services
Stephanie was also a winner of the Pat Callanan-Castro book scholarship - Patrick Gant, Dept of Administration Services
Learn more about the Lest Best Scholarship and the selection process at OCSEA.org/LesBest.
Remote work, ODJFS funding still in balance
OCSEA activists and members in numerous state agencies have been writing a Conference Committee of legislators to ask them to restore remote work and funding to the Unemployment Operations in the state budget.
As of today, however, no agreement has been reached on the state budget between the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate. Typically, the state budget must be passed by June 30, but differences between the House and Senate versions make it uncertain if they will come to an agreement on some of their key issues this week. A couple of those sticking points are likely remote work and restoring the ODJFS operating budget.
Given that there has been no decision on these two issues as of this writing, we encourage affected OCSEA activists to take action AGAIN this week. Click on the links below for information on how to take action and who to contact:
Call Conference Committee Now About ODJFS Shortfall
Take Action on Remote Work Schedules NOW!
Value in Being Union: Union-negotiated state wage increase goes into effect July 1
It pays to be in a union. Literally. Thanks to the power of union bargaining, OCSEA state members will see their 3 percent wage increase effective with the pay period which includes July 1, 2023. This "value in being union" goes a long way to making sure public union members have the resources and benefits needed to stay on top of bills, invest in their futures and even take much needed vacations.
Additionally, as we saw last week, having a union voice has A LOT of value too. State members who work remotely came together in force last week and let their voices be heard in the State legislature. Members called and wrote legislators about the impact that a budget proposal to return to office four days a week will have, not only on working families but also on taxpayers and the communities they serve. ODJFS members also joined in solidarity to stand up against budget cut proposals that will hurt services to Ohioans who need to get back to work and more. As a result of the unified dissent led by union members, the State legislature is going back to the drawing board, especially on these two issues, and even may push back the deadline to pass the budget. See the budget story above on ways to continue to take action on these issues until a fair, union-friendly budget is passed!
There is so much value in being union, not only on a daily basis as we fight together for livable wages and rights at work, but also over our lifetimes as public employee union members. Did you know? Workers who are members of labor unions in the U.S. make 18 percent more than their nonunion counterparts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual report on union membership.
For example, over a 30-year career, the average union member makes over $250,000 more than their nonunion counterparts, and that doesn’t even count the health care and benefits savings. If you add benefits and retirement that unions fight for, workers who spent their lifetimes as union members are projected to earn $3.4 million over their careers. That's $1.3 million over their non-union counterparts. Plus, union workers are more likely to retire earlier. Read more: Business Insider October 2022
The numbers tell the REAL story for public employees and their families, and that's something these anti-union groups will never understand. That's why it's so important that union members take those numbers and spread the word about the REAL VALUE in being union. Only once we all see the real value in being union can we all take a stand solidly to protect union benefits and our jobs. Help spread the word! Let your union co-workers know.
Share the VALUE IN BEING UNION flyer in your workplace and at union meetings at OCSEA.org/Value.
*All wage data is based on the 2021-2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
Grow your career, skills with your Union Education Trust
Are you ready to grow your career or improve your job skills? The Union Education Trust, or UET, is here to help! Every State of Ohio OCSEA dues-paying member is eligible for the UET's annual education benefit up to $6,250 per year.
That's right, thanks to the state union contract, state OCSEA members like you can receive a union-negotiated educational stipend EVERY YEAR. This can be used to go back to college or to take trainings that help improve your skills for your current job or a future job. You can also get training to help you be a better union leader or facilitator.
Start planning your year now. The new UET fiscal year kicks off this Saturday, July 1. That means your union-negotiated union education benefit amount starts over for the next year and will be available to help you grow your educational opportunities. The UET fiscal year is July 1 through June 30 each year. Please note: UET funds do not roll over year to year. The annual benefit is use it or lose it.
Learn more about your UET benefit at www.uedtrust.org
Click HERE to download the latest UET flyer to share with your union co-workers, at chapter meetings and on union bulletin boards.
Attend the No on Issue 1 Cincinnati Community Meeting tomorrow, download July 4 signs
There's a lot of buzz around "No on Issue 1 on August 8" and why it's bad for Ohio. And in order to defeat it big at the August Special Election, the support of union members is extremely important.
Get involved now! Attend tomorrow's Cincinnati Community Meeting about No on Issue 1 (see details below). Learn why we need to vote No on Issue 1 on August 8 to protect majority rule and preserve the sacred principle of one person one vote. Also see why nearly every union in Ohio opposes Issue 1 and find out how you can volunteer to defeat Issue 1 in August. The event will include yard signs, other No on Issue 1 swag and food.
Don't live in the Cincinnati area? That's ok! Find an upcoming event near you AND MORE at UnionStrongOhio.com/events. Additional No on Issue 1 Community Meetings will be held in Dayton on July 13,Youngstown on July 20, Toledo on July 27 and Columbus on August 3.
RSVP CINCINNATI
Download and SHARE the Cincinnati Community Meeting flyer!
Spread the Word! Attending a community event or parade this Fourth of July weekend? Download a No on Issue 1 placard to display. Available in two sizes:
8.5 X 11 size (PDF)
11 X 17 size (PDF)