OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / Sept. 4, 2024

Chapter leaders! The deadline for the upcoming President's Conference is this Friday, Sept. 6. Registration forms (one per attending delegate) should be returned to OCSEA Central Office by the Friday COB.

 

Return forms to:

OCSEA AFSCME Local 11 Attention: Theresa Smith; 390 Worthington Road, Westerville, OH 43082 OR via email: tsmith@ocsea.org or fax: 614-865-4030

2024 OCSEA President's Conference
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 10 A.M.
Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center,
100 Green Meadows Dr S,
Lewis Center, OH 43035

Union momentum is surging nationwide. Everywhere you look, working people are asserting their rights and insisting on a fair shake. Union members are empowered and emboldened, demanding dignity and respect––and claiming a seat at the table.

 

There was plenty to celebrate this past Labor Day weekend. "Working people’s fight for freedom is front and center, and unions are an essential part of the national conversation," wrote AFSCME President Lee Saunders in his annual Labor Day message.

 

New polling released by Gallup just before the Labor Day weekend shows that unions enjoy an approval rating of 70%. That is an increase over 2023 and the continuation of a steady upward trend that we haven’t seen in more than a half-century. This is the eighth year in a row that public support has been above 60%, and it’s a dramatic turnaround from 15 years ago during the worst of the Great Recession.

 

Americans know and understand that life is better in a union. "When you belong to a union, you have a voice. You’re not under the boss’ thumb. You have the power in numbers to make change on the job. And when unions thrive — when we can stand together to improve wages and working conditions — everyone benefits," said Saunders. Read his Labor Day message HERE...

Toledo activists from OCSEA Lucas Chapter 4800 joined other AFSCME and labor union members this past week to celebrate Labor Day in style with family and supporters. The chapter marched in the annual Toledo Labor Day Parade to remind the community why we celebrate Labor Day and the importance of public union members who make Ohio happen. The chapter celebrated with matching chapter t-shirts. 

Fall is quickly rolling in, and that means the September 2024 Union Bulletin Board Network (UBBN) flyers are available for download at OCSEA.org/UBBN. The flyers include important information about how you can participate in the democratic election process, union education and schoalrship resources, fall perks and discounts and more. Check back each month for new flyers to share. 

Don't have an onsite bulletin board? The virtual bulletin board network at OCSEA.org/UBBN gives OCSEA members access to union flyers with a click of a button. Chapters that don't have boards are urged to email the flyers or UBBN link to their members and distribute at meetings. Any chapter that needs assistance with printing fliers should contact the OCSEA mailroom at 614-865-4733.

This month's virtual fliers include:

• Important Nov. 5 Election dates
• Extras: CedarPoint Halloweekends for $67
• Union Education Trust: Don't forget about your $8,000 education benefit this fall
• Apply for the Union Plus Scholarship
• Be a part of Democracy! Be a Poll Worker!
• Working Advantage: Fall into great savings!

Have an AMAZING union bulletin board you want to share? Email photos to communications@ocsea.org.

Are you ready for the upcoming election that will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024? Make sure you know Ohio's important election dates as you prepare to cast your ballot, whether early or on election, in person or by mail.

• Request an absentee ballot: NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 29
• Deadline to register to vote/ update registration: OCTOBER 7
• Early in-person voting begins: OCTOBER 8
• Absentee voting by mail begins: OCTOBER 8 THROUGH NOVEMBER 4
• Absentee post-marked deadline*: NOVEMBER 4
• General election (at polling place only): NOVEMBER 5, 6:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.

*According to the Ohio Secretary-of-State, absentee ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections.

 

Double check your registration today. Visit the Ohio Secretary of State website today to check your registration, to register (don't forget those new voters in your life) or to update your contact info (including your address if you moved recently. You must make all changes to your voter registration file by October 7, 2024. 

Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $5.6 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. More than 4,000 families have benefited from their commitment to higher education.

Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $4,000. These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the Fall of 2025. Students may re-apply each year.

 

Current and dues-paying retired OCSEA members, their spouses and their dependent children are eligible to apply. At least one year of continuous union membership is required (the one-year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31 of the scholarship year).

 

To apply and get more details, go to UnionPlus.org/Scholarships