OCSEA is paying homage to OCSEA Secretary-Treasurer Kathleen "Kathy" Gersper who recently retired from the State of Ohio and stepped down as the union's chief financial officer after 23 years of service. Gersper, who served as the union's Secretary Treasurer since 2003, has dedicated decades to maintaining the organization's financial solvency, being a union leader with an unwavering commitment to the labor movement, and serving communities all around Ohio.

 

Sister Gersper, a union activist with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, was a steward and leader for OCSEA Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) Chapter 2570 and has served on many past OCSEA State Bargaining Teams. She sat on the Ohio AFL-CIO Executive Board and the Central Ohio Union Label Council as Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer. Gersper was also the Chair of the OCSEA Finance Committee and was a leader on the Women's Action (WAC) Committee. She is a 2017 graduate of the Harvard University Trade Union Program.

 

Known by many throughout Ohio for her "Kathy's Creature Comforts" initiative, she annually––for nearly 20 years––collected hundreds of Teddy bears and stuffed animals for children at domestic violence shelters statewide. "One of my greatest achievements is knowing that thousands of donations over the years by OCSEA subordinate bodies and members has given even the youngest victims of domestic violence something to hold onto when all around them has been disrupted," said Gersper.

 

We wish Kathy all the best on her retirement!

Melissa Yank, a member of the OCSEA Board of Directors and an activist with BWC Chapter 2535, has been appointed by the board to fill the OCSEA Secretary-Treasurer seat vacancy left by Kathy Gersper.

 

A longtime union leader, Yank has served as an OCSEA Board of Directors member in District 6 and as President of BWC Chapter 2535. In her capacity on the state board, she has sat on the OCSEA Finance Committee as well as the Judicial and Internal Affairs Committee (JIAC), OCSEA IT Subcommittee and OCSEA Future of Work Committee.

 

Yank has also represented her local chapter and agency as a steward, AFL-CIO delegate and BWC Assembly Vice President and Executive Board member. She is an OCSEA District 6 delegate and a Trustee for the Union Benefits Trust (UBT) and the Union Education Trust (UET).

 

"I'm excited to take on this new role in the union and look forward to continuing the legacy of Kathy Gersper to maintain the integrity and financial solvency of the organization for our members across Ohio," said Yank.