OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / September 24, 2025
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Register online for OCSEA Veterans Conference
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Just a reminder that registration is open for the union's annual celebration of member veterans, the OCSEA Veterans Committee Conference. Those who wish to attend should register online at the link provided below. While online registration is preferred, attendees can also register via the pdf or paper form downloadable at OCSEA.org/veterans. The deadline to register for the conference is October 30.
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Want to learn more? Get the following conference information online at ocsea.org/veterans:
- Link to quick and easy Online Registration
- Downloadable PDF registration form (for those who prefer emailing or mailing)
- Official Conference Call mailed to members
- Lodging accommodations, including booking info, rates and deadlines
- Veteran Award nomination forms and information
- Tentative agenda
- Conference contacts
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New member-only benefit to take effect October 1
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In case you missed it, a new member-only benefit was announced at the OCSEA Convention last month. The union will now provide NO COST workplace security insurance, a $10,000 insurance policy exclusively to members of the union. This benefit will officially take effect on Wednesday, October 1. The benefit will automatically apply to all dues-paying OCSEA members.
OCSEA has teamed up with Pearl Insurance to offer the workplace security insurance, which covers death and dismemberment while on the job and hostage situations. The $10,000 insurance policy will be provided at absolutely no cost to members, but only to members. Non-members can receive the benefit if they sign a card with the union.
Previously, the union only provided coverage for members who are on the frontlines in dangerous jobs at DRC and DYS. "Now we are thrilled to expand the coverage to ALL members, including those frontline agencies," said President Chris Mabe.
For more details on the new member-only benefit you can check out more information from Pearl Insurance HERE.
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Joint Health Care Committee Update: Partial Coverage Option for GLP-1 Medications
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Thanks to months of applied pressure by the union members who sit on the Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC) regarding weight loss medication coverage, the state announced a program that will offer discounted GLP1s for weight loss. Please note, the state will continue its coverage for GLP1s for diabetics with no changes.
The program will be available through Virta, the state’s weight loss vendor, and will offer a 50 percent cost reduction per month for approved GLP1s. Additionally, the state will also reimburse up to 2,500 employees $200 per month to cover the cost of GLP1s for eligible and approved weight loss. Participation in the Virta Sustainable Weight Loss Program is required to receive the GLP1 monthly medication discount and monthly subsidy reimbursement and is only available to employees. Please note, at this time, only spouses who are also state employees will be eligible for the discount and reimbursement subsidy. A previous communication on the benefit incorrectly indicated that spouses will also be eligible. Spouses are ONLY eligible, at this time, if they, too, are employed by the State of Ohio.
Get more information on the program and enrollment HERE.
"The medical savings from these new drugs promise to be significant, however the financial savings are likely not to be realized for ten years or more," said Marianne Steger, OCSEA's health care consultant for the JHCC union team. The JHCC union team sees GLP1 coverage as an investment in its members' future health and cost savings that will aid health care funds for generations to come.
Additionally, the JHCC continues to look at a number of potential cost savings measures that could help bend the health care cost curve currently impacting employees. The JHCC meets regularly to address the concerns impacting the health care fund.
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TOMORROW: AFSCME GO Lower Health Care Costs Day of Action!
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On Thursday, September 25, AFSCME is urging members to make as many calls as possible to Congress and asking them to lower health care costs for working families!
Working people are doing everything they can to get ahead, but the rising cost of health care is creating a crisis. Congress cut billions in funding for health care that will burden workers with skyrocketing costs and force hospitals and health centers to close––making our communities sicker.
Nearly 22 million Americans rely on premium tax credits through the Affordable Care Act marketplace to afford their health insurance. And millions more receive care thanks to Disproportionate Share Hospitals that serve low-income families.
Without action from Congress, those tax credits will expire and critical funding for these hospitals will be lost. Click here to download a fact sheet on the bill's devastating effects on Ohioans.
If Congress doesn’t extend the ACA tax credits and restore funding to Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH):
- 4.2 million families will be forced to drop coverage
- Millions will face an average 75% increase in health insurance premiums
- Well over 130,000 jobs could be lost – including AFSCME member jobs
- Nursing homes and health clinics would be forced to cut services or even close
- Rural hospitals will lose funding and could drastically reduce care or shut their doors
Time is running out. Call your member of Congress and tell them to lower health care costs!
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Shareable Social Media Graphics
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OCSEA Members Rally for Fair Congressional Maps
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OCSEA members and retirees joined a chorus of Ohioans shouting “Fair Maps Now” at a rally last week outside the Ohio Statehouse. The event was organized by We Are Ohio, the coalition of unions that led the successful repeal of Senate Bill 5 and continues to fight to protect the rights of workers across Ohio.
“Fair maps are essential to us actually being the best state we can be,” said Shannon Freshour, an Investigator 2 with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and a member of Chapter 2540. “It makes us a better wholesome state and means everyone gets representation,” Freshour added. Mary Anderson, a member of Retirees Chapter 1184, also attended the rally because she says she’s sick and tired of rigged elections.
The boundaries for Ohio’s Congressional districts are being redrawn this fall because the first effort at drawing a map earlier this decade failed to gain bipartisan support. Ohio’s constitution requires the mid-decade redistricting before the end of November. But much like the first effort, supporters of fair maps fear the Republican controlled legislature will draw another gerrymandered map that gives their party even more seats in Congress. That’s despite a constitutional provision that says congressional maps should not unduly favor or disfavor either political party. For more on the Fair Maps rally, watch this video:
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Click to watch the Fair Maps Rally video
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AFSCME Retiree Mary Anderson
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Rally attendees circle the Ohio Statehouse
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OCSEA Member Shannon Freshour
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Public Safety in the News
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OCSEA in the News: Curbing violence at Indian River
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OCSEA Pres. Chris Mabe sits down with News 5 in Cleveland about DYS staff assaults at Indian River and how policy change is a way toward reducing violence at the facility. Watch here.
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AFSCME spotlight: Members secure funding for tasers
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AFSCME's Public Safety department recently spotlighted the hard-fought win for safer facilities in Ohio prisons. OCSEA members are celebrating their state budget victory that will enhance safety with taser deployment. Read more.
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CC: OCSEA Board and Staff
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Disclaimer: If you are receiving this email at a State of Ohio work email address, please note that your State email is on file with the union per your request. We highly recommend that you update your personal email address with OCSEA as soon as possible. Update your personal email HERE or log on to your MyOCSEA account to view your profile. Haven't created your MyOCSEA account yet? Create one HERE.
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