OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / March 25, 2026
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OCSEA member sends special message to union sisters and brothers after beating colon cancer
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March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing screenings, promoting prevention, and supporting those affected by the third most common cancer.
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Lena Kise, a Corrections Officer at the Marion Correctional Institution and a member of MCI Chapter 5110, remembers the moment she was diagnosed with colon cancer. “I just wanted to see my daughters get married. I don’t know why that’s the first thing that crossed my mind was them in a wedding dress. And I hadn’t gotten to experience that,” Lena said.
That life-altering moment happened in July of 2018. Lena had not been feeling well for a few weeks when doctors diagnosed her with Stage 4 colon cancer, meaning that the cancer had spread to her liver. What followed was 28 rounds of radiation treatment and eight rounds of chemotherapy at The Ohio State University's James Cancer Hospital. “It’s just so overwhelming,” she said. “Every day, it was like am I going to die today?”
The five-year survival rate for Stage 4 colon cancer is only 15 percent. Not only did Lena beat the odds, but she also returned to her public service job in January 2022 after spending more than three years on medical leave. “I wanted to finish what I started, and I didn’t want cancer to win. And it was kind of my way of fighting back and getting my life back,” she said on returning to work.
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Lena Kise, Marion Correctional Chap. 5110 member and colon cancer survivor
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Lena credits doctors at OSU for saving her life: “I think I was in the right place at the right time with the right doctors,” she said. She is also incrediably grateful for the support she received from her family of union members at MCI. Some of them offered to donate leave time, and a prison bake sale raised $1,800 in donations. OCSEA also helped Lena keep her seniority when she returned to work. “We all work together, and we don’t realize how big of a family we are here until something like this happens,” she said with gratitude.
Lena’s story is especially relevant this month because March is recognized as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. When Lena was diagnosed at the age of 48, the recommended age to start colonoscopy screenings was 50. But, with cancer rates rising, the age for screenings has been lowered to 45 for those with an average risk of cancer. Individuals with a family history of cancer should start even sooner. With that in mind, Lena has a message for all of her OCSEA sisters and brothers: “If you’re eligible for colon screening, you should get one. It's [cancer] out there; it’s happening to a lot more younger people,” she said.
With retirement planned for next January 2027, Lena’s life has come full circle. She’s a grandma now looking forward to becoming a full-time “nana." And this summer she will watch her youngest daughter Sarah get married, fulfilling a dream that helped motivate her during her grueling battle with cancer. “You’d be surprised what you can do. It’s the will to survive,” she said.
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Join AFSCME, stand up for union rights this Saturday for national day of mobilization
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This Saturday, March 28, AFSCME members and retirees will join other union members nationwide for a massive march to put working people first! AFSCME members will take to the streets to say loud and clear: Protect workers! Protect unions! Now is the time to get organized to protect our union freedoms to join together and collectively bargain. Because when working people have a voice on the job, our communities and our democracy are stronger.
When we unite, we can win! See a few events happening statewide below or find an event near you!
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COLUMBUS - RSVP
Saturday, March 28 | 4-5:30 pm.
Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Sq
McKinley Statue, West Plaza, by High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
CINCINNATI - RSVP
Saturday, March 28 | 1-3 p.m.
801 Plum St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
TOLEDO - RSVP
Saturday, March 28 | 2-4 p.m.
Promenade Park, 400 Water St.
Toledo, OH 43604
MARIETTA - RSVP
Saturday, March 28 | 12-2 p.m.
Muskingum Park, 401 Front St.
Marietta, OH 45750
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CLEVELAND - RSVP
Saturday, March 28 | 1-3 p.m.
The Free Stamp at E. 9th and Lakeside
Cleveland, OH 44114
AKRON - RSVP
Saturday, March 28 | 1-3 p.m.
John F. Seiberling Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 2 S Main St.
Akron, OH 44308
CAMBRIDGE - RSVP
Saturday, March 28 | 2-3 p.m.
Guernsey Co. Courthouse, 801 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, OH 43725
CHILLICOTHE - RSVP
Saturday, March 28 | 12-3 p.m.
Ross County Courthouse, 2 N Paint St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
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Leadership Training: Building the future of OCSEA
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Last weekend, OCSEA held its second Leadership Training of the year, with more than 40 members from across the state attending the three-day event in Columbus. The training has expanded this year to include not only chapter leaders but also union stewards.
“It’s great to see a new generation of leaders and activists learn and grow as members of this organization,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe. “This type of engagement and commitment is exactly what we need to strengthen our chapters and the entire union for the future,” he said.
The training covers a wide range of topics including the state budget, the nuts and bolts of running a successful chapter and recent attacks on public employee union members, particularly those who work for the federal government. With negotiations on a new state contract beginning later this year, the leaders and stewards discussed their priorities for negotiations while learning that a lot depends on who becomes Ohio’s next governor.
Two more leadership trainings are scheduled for this year. Leaders and stewards who are interested in attending one of the trainings are encouraged to reach out to OCSEA’s Member Resource Center (MRC) for more information at MRC@ocsea.org or 888-627-3211 (888-OCSEA-11).
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Leaders attending the OCSEA Leadership training focused in on activism, team building and chapter growth.
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Women's Action Committee Conference hotel deadline is April 10
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The annual OCSEA Women's Action Committee (WAC) Conference will take place May 1-2, 2026, at Deer Creek Lodge and Conference Center in Mount Sterling. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The deadline to book lodging with Deer Creek Lodge is quickly approaching on April 10. Room reservations must be made directly through the Deer Creek. Each chapter/subordinate body is responsible to pay for room and tax, payable with a credit card. Online reservations for the conference can be made at THIS SPECIAL CONFERENCE LINK. The group rate code is OWACWCC462. For phone reservations, please call 800-282-7275 and mention the "OCSEA/WAC Conference."
Learn about the event, how to register, and view tentative agenda at OCSEA.org/WAC.
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Women's Action Committee Conference
May 1-2, 2026
Deer Creek Lodge & Conference Center
Mount Sterling, OH
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Leading labor advocate fights on in court to protect workers’ rights
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Gwynne Wilcox, who is fighting her ouster from the National Labor Relations Board, serves as an inspiration for the rest of us in the labor movement.
Speaking at a Women’s History Month event at AFSCME headquarters last week, Wilcox discussed her fight to continue to advocate for workers’ rights despite her illegal removal from the NLRB. The event was moderated by Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride. Read more.
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