News

Your union newsletter - October 11, 2023

Posted Oct. 11, 2023 by

Advanced Stewards Training to be offered TWICE

An OCSEA Advanced Stewards Training on Zoom will be offered on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 8-11 am. and then again on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 4-7 p.m. Each training is completely separate and NOT a part of a series. The November 7 training will be capped at 100 attendees, and the November 9 training will be capped at 50. Members must take their own time to attend or get time reimbursed by their chapter.

While Basic Stewards training is not required to register for Advanced Stewards training, it is strongly recommended. Topics will include Article 17-Promotions, Transfers, Demotions and Relocations; Articles 28-30-Leaves: Working-Out-of-Class and Pre-Disciplinary Grievances as well as the backgrounds of various contract articles. OCSEA Staff Representative Ryan Ochmanek will lead the trainings.

Registration in advance is required (Employee ID must be entered):

Advanced Stewards Training on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 11a.m.

REGISTER: NOV. 7 TRAINING

Advanced Stewards Training on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

REGISTER: NOV. 9 TRAINING


Not-to-miss member-only fall events and discounts

OCSEA Union Nights with the Columbus Blue Jackets

Watch the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets hit it hard on the ice! OCSEA and the Columbus Blue Jackets are excited to partner yet again for this exclusive offer for the '23-'24 hockey season for OCSEA members ONLY!

Members and families are invited for OCSEA's Union Nights with the Columbus Blue Jackets coming up on Saturday, October 14 and Friday, October 20. OCSEA members receive exclusive rates and a CBJ giveaway item as the Blue Jackets take on the New York Rangers on Oct. 14 and the Calgary Flames on Oct. 20.

Once tickets are purchased, you will receive instructions on how to pick up your free CBJ giveaway item.

Pick one game or both! Buy tickets through OCSEA.org/Extras


Members get exclusive discount to ZOMBIE-zi Bay

Looking for some creepy fall fun? OCSEA members get up to $10 discount off thrill tickets to ZOMBIE-zi Bay. Explore a fiendish world of four haunted houses, two scare zones, six amusement rides, and other sinister surprises that await you. PLEASE NOTE: This event is not suitable for children under 13 years. In addition to scary haunts and thrilling rides, guests also can purchase specialty food and custom cocktails that are unique to ZOMBIE-zi Bay!

If Zombies aren't your thing or you have small children? Check out the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium ticket deal at the same link. Tickets include Boo at the Zoo. Parking for both events is separate and can be purchased at the link as well.

Get discount tickets before October runs out. Visit OCSEA.org/Extras for the deal.


Immediate action! Tell your State Senator to stop costly dental bill!

With the cost of every thing on the rise, the last thing Ohioans need is for their dental costs to increase. That's exactly what the Ohio dental bill would do and why we need to stop it! Senate Bill 115 prevents dental insurance providers, like Delta Dental, from being able to negotiate lower fees for YOU and YOUR FAMILY on your non-covered services.

If passed, this serious overreach would give dentists the ability to charge members WHATEVER THEY WANT for non-covered services.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Email and call your State Senator TODAY. Tell them to stop these costly regulation attempts once and for all. TAKE ACTION AT THIS LINK!

OCSEA, your Union Benefits Trust (UBT), and Delta Dental adamantly oppose SB 115, and any others like it. Not only does this directly impact OCSEA members who utilize UBT, this overreach would also cause financial strain to EVERY Ohioan with dental insurance. Download the Delta Dental Frequently Asked Questions for No on SB 115.

Contact your State Senator TODAY! Tell them to STOP the unnecessary dental legislation in its tracks before it's too late!

No on SB 115 Resources:


Celebrating our mental health professionals and caregivers

This week we're celebrating World Mental Health Day and all the OCSEA member mental health professionals and caregivers for their service to Ohio. In the upcoming edition of the OCSEA union magazine we spotlight one such mental health professional and highlight the dedication of so many public union members throughout the state who care for Ohio's most vulnerable citizens in crisis.

Later this month you will be able to read a feature story about union activist Robin Staples, a Licensed Practical Nurse with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Robin says it’s the little things that make her public job so valuable. “It’s the feeling of making a difference,” says Robin, who has been licensed as an LPN for 20 years and with MHAS for 15 years.

Recently, to celebrate fall, Robin’s patients built a tree and leaves out of paper bags and construction paper. She said, “They used the leaves to jot down small, incremental weekly goals, and as they meet those goals, the leaves ‘fall off’ the tree, and they add more goals.” It’s these small achievements through a patient’s recovery that mean the most, she says.

Want to read Robin's story and more? Look for your OCSEA Public Employee Quarterly magazine coming to your home mailbox at the end of October. The magazine will also focus on efforts to staff the front lines, including our public mental health facilities and more.


Register for Veterans Conference by Oct. 27

OCSEA Veterans Conference
Nov. 3-4
Mohican State Park Lodge
4700 Goon Rd, Perrysville, Ohio 44864

The 2023 OCSEA Veterans Committee Conference is Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4 at Mohican State Park Lodge. OCSEA activists will gather to honor our veterans and celebrate our member veterans, past and present. All members are welcome to attend! The deadline to register is Oct. 27. Go to OCSEA.org/Veterans for more info.

Nominate a Veteran or Vet supporter During the 2023 OCSEA Veterans Conference, the committee hands out two honorary awards. The Committee will honor the OCSEA Member Veteran of the Year and the OCSEA Member Veteran Supporter of the Year. Both awards are given out to OCSEA members in honor of their community service and dedication to veterans issues.

Nomination forms are below. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 20.

Veteran of the Year Nomination

Veteran of Supporter Nomination


Early Voting runs through Nov. 5

Early voting in Ohio for the November 7 election has begun. Vote early at your local Board of Elections or through Absentee Ballot by mail. Learn more at VoteOhio.gov.

  • October 11-13: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • October 16-20: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • October 23-27: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • October 30: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • October 31: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  • November 1-3: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • November 4: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • November 5: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.