OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / Sept. 18, 2024

OCSEA leaders packed the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center last weekend for the 2024 President’s Conference to hear about key issues on the ballot in November and learn more about our new state contract. Check out a photo gallery of the conference here.

 

The conference kicked off Friday night with New Contract Training for chapter leaders. The training focused on the process of negotiating and ratifying the three-year contract with the State of Ohio and the changes the agreement contains from the previous contract.

 

Saturday’s focus was on the upcoming election and OCSEA President Chris Mabe laid out what’s at stake for organized labor in his opening remarks. “We are gathered here to maintain the strength and solidarity of the labor union and maintain the social safety net services we provide. Those are the things that are at risk every electoral cycle,” President Mabe said. “Collective bargaining was created by the stroke of a pen in the legislature and collective bargaining can be taken away in the same form and fashion.”

 

The Saturday session also included warnings about Project 2025 from State Rep. Allison Russo, the Minority Leader in the Ohio House of Representatives. Project 2025 is a document produced by the anti-union Heritage Foundation which lays out the gameplan for a conservative takeover of the federal government. On the chopping block for Project 2025 are public employee unions and civil service protections. Leader Russo said Project 2025 would “allow states to ban labor unions altogether, eliminate overtime protections and replace civil servants once and for all with political appointees.”

 

Redistricting reform is back on the ballot again this year with a major change intended to end gerrymandering once and for all. Maureen O’Connor, the former Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, urged OCSEA members to support State Issue One because, unlike previous efforts, this plan would remove politicians and lobbyists from the process by creating a Citizens Redistricting Commission. 

 

“We have a broken system in Ohio,” O’Connor said about the two previous attempts to change how maps for Congress and the state legislature are drawn. A “Yes” vote would create a 15-member Citizens Redistricting Commission made up of equal numbers of Republicans, Democrats and Independents representing all areas of the state. You can find out more about the upcoming election including important dates and candidates endorsed by OCSEA at OCSEAvotes.org.

 

Besides learning about the major election issues, conference attendees also returned home with yard signs to show off their union pride and to share with members of their chapters. More of the signs will be available in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for details on how you can get a sign for your yard.

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo speaks at the conference.

Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor speaks at the conference.

As an OCSEA and AFSCME member, you have access to many education savings options for yourself and your family including union-only scholarships, discount college programs, and the Union Education Trust. With so many options, it can be confusing to know which programs might be right for you, your spouse, or your dependents. Read about each program below to learn how they work, who is eligible for each, and how to apply.

The Union Education Trust (UET) is an educational assistance program for State of Ohio bargaining unit employees (this is for members only, not families). Through UET, members get yearly financial assistance of up to $8,000 for programs that advance their careers, improve their quality of work life and work towards achieving employment security. The annual funds are available every year and must be used during the UET Fiscal year, July 1 - June 30. 

• The Career Improvement Program (CIP) offers up to $5,000 per fiscal year for college-credit courses and Vocational Training and Specialty Education.
• The Computer Application Training program (CAT) offers $1,000 per fiscal year for non-college credit computer training courses.
• The Professional Enhancement Program (PE) offers $2,000 per fiscal year for non-college credit, short-term training opportunities that are not covered by CIP or CAT. 

To learn more about UET and to apply for benefits, visit UedTrust.org or call 1-866-436-7900.

AFSCME Family Scholarship

OCSEA members’ dependents can apply for the AFSCME Family Scholarship Program, which provides ten $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors that will be renewed for $2,000 each year for a maximum of four years, as long as the student remains enrolled in a full-time course of study. The scholarship may be used for any field of study. The AFSCME Family Scholarship is NOW OPEN for applications for 2025 through December 31. Click HERE for more information on applying.

 

Union Plus Scholarship Program

OCSEA members AND their families are eligible to apply for the Union Plus Scholarship Program, which awards one-time scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to union members and their families each year. Students may re-apply each year. Last year, a total of 209 scholarships were awarded, including to 22 AFSCME families and one OCSEA dependent (see story below)! The program is NOW OPEN for application for 2025 through January 31, 2025. Click HERE to see how to apply.

 

OCSEA Les Best Scholarship

Don’t forget about the OCSEA Les Best Scholarship program! The Les Best Scholarship program provides a total of $12,000 in awards each year to members, spouses, and dependents. The scholarship is for undergraduate degrees only. The application period is January 1-April 30 each year. Visit OCSEA.org/LesBest for details.

OCSEA Discount College

OCSEA members as well as ANY of their family members are eligible to utilize our Discount College Program powered by EBS Union College Benefit. This program provides discounts of up to 50% on online degree programs at a network of five colleges. To get started, applicants request a match to a program that fits their needs by visiting edutrustnetwork.org/ocsea. Then, admissions staff from the college you are matched with will contact you about your next steps. CLICK HERE to read all about the program and request your match.

 

Union Plus Discount College

In addition to our own program, OCSEA members and their spouses, children, grandchildren, financial dependents, siblings AND parents can access the Union Plus Discount College Program. The Union Plus program works with a network of six other colleges, which expands the school and degree options available to you. CLICK HERE to read more about this program and request your match.

Don't miss our on Halloween Saturdays at Cedar Point! Through Working Advantage, our national perks and discount program, OCSEA members get exclusive ticket deals to Cedar Point, including Halloweekend Saturdays.

 

Visit this LINK to see all the deals including GOOD ANY DAY TICKETS, which is includes Saturday admission through Sept. 28. The cost is $68. Use Code: OCSEAPERKS for all OCSEA deals through Working Advantage (account creation required). Want to but a Thursday, Friday and Sunday ticket? Tickets are also available for the Cedar Point Halloween season through November 1 for $54 at the same link. 

 

See all your member-only perks and discounts at OCSEA.org/Extras. Get discount tickets for Kings Island through November 3, including their Tricks and Treats (family friendly) and Haunt events. Visit this member-only LINK using Username: KIAFSCME Password: KINGSISLAND for member deals including $65 Saturday admission and $43 Friday and Sunday admission. 

See All Extras Discounts