OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / April 3, 2025
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Local chapter activists gather to build skills, grow union leadership
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Nearly 40 local OCSEA chapter leaders from around the state gathered this past weekend to attend the next phase of OCSEA's Leadership Training. Building activism and growing the next generation of leaders was on the agenda for the event held at the OCSEA Union Hall in Westerville.
This is the year's first OCSEA Leadership Training but more are scheduled throughout 2025. With large turnover of state employment during the last decade, the number of union leaders who are brand new to union activism is on the rise. For many new leaders, they are still learning the ropes of union leadership. The OCSEA Leadership Training gives new leaders and their mentors the tools they need to grow as leaders and build strong chapters.
Chapter leaders explored ever-changing technology, got an online training preview and walked through the financial roles of chapters. Attendees also participated in team-building and learned about the role of emotional intelligence in organizing successful chapters. As union activists, chapter leaders learned about the state budget revenue and the impact that federal budget cuts could have on state agencies, which are already understaffed and underfunded. They also were guided on how to effectively testify before the state legislature.
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Federal Executive Order Moves to Outlaw Union Rights for Federal Workers
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Last Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order limiting numerous federal agency employees from unionizing and instructing the government to stop engaging in any collective bargaining with union members.
In a release last week, AFSCME President Lee Saunders called the unlawful order to eliminate collectively bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal workers a "blatant retribution" and an attempt to silence union voices. "The billionaires running this administration have proven that they are willing to bulldoze anything that stands in their way to enact their anti-worker, extremist agenda–even if it harms our communities," he said.
Pres. Saunders says AFSCME’s 1.4 million members are prepared to fight to protect federal workers’ voice on the job. "Federal workers–including thousands of AFSCME members–are the lifeblood of their communities. They protect our clean drinking water and food supply, care for veterans, support American farmers, administer Medicaid and Social Security and so much more," he wrote. Read more.
MAKE A CALL TO RESTORE FEDERAL BARGAINING...
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Tell U.S. Senators: Vote NO on Federal Budget Cuts.
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Congress could vote in a matter of days to advance a harmful federal budget that could devastate our communities. These massive federal spending cuts will mean cuts for states, cities and towns. Public services and Ohio public jobs are on the line. The damage of these budget cuts would be felt immediately and could last for years and potentially decades.
It's time to get organized. Call U.S. Senators Moreno and Husted and tell them: "Stand up for Ohio public workers! Don’t cut public services to pay for billionaire tax cuts." CLICK HERE to Take Action and tell them to vote NO on these devastating federal budget cuts.
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EVENT ALERT:
Attend a Hands Off Event this Saturday!
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🚨 This Saturday, April 5, unions are joining with allies and community members across the country with the message: Hands Off Our Unions and Our Union Contracts! 🚨
Join labor for events happening all across the country, in major cities and small towns. Take a stand for public workers, government services and our fundamental freedoms—including the freedom to join a union. And make sure to wear your AFSCME green or OCSEA gear.
Join a Hands Off event near you!
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Les Best Scholarships: Application Deadline is April 30
Click to Learn More --> HERE
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Register Now For Upcoming Women's Conference
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Registration is underway for OCSEA's annual Women's Action Committee (WAC) Conference, which will take place May 2-3, 2025 in Perrysburg, Ohio. Visit OCSEA.org/WAC to learn how to register today. Please note: The hotel deadline is next Monday, April 7.
OCSEA WAC chairperson Annie Pleasant-Combs invites all OCSEA members to attend the upcoming event. The conference theme is “Hope & Happiness Go Hand-in-Hand."
"The Women's Conference is an opportunity for all members to build positive hope for change that will bring joy and goodwill in these trying times," said Annie. "There is so much that we can do together in the labor movement and through the good work we do to foster a sense of hope and resilience for a better tomorrow."
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Union Bulletin Board flyers available for download
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The April 2025 Union Bulletin Board Network (UBBN) flyers are available for download at OCSEA.org/UBBN. This month's flyers include a "Pro-Public Employee Zone" flyer to show support for public workers across the country, an April Fools memo, scholarship and UET reminders, tons of discounts and more. Check back each month for new flyers to share. Have an AMAZING union bulletin board you want to share? Email photos to communications@ocsea.org.
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. This includes quick access to OCSEA bargaining news, events, discounts and more. Chapters that don't have onsite bulletin 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 flyers include:
- IMPORTANT FLYER ALERT! "This is a Pro-Public Employee Zone"
- Last Chance to Apply: Les Best Scholarships
- Worker's Memorial Day
- Grow Your Opportunities with your Union Education Trust
- Don't Be Fooled by Anti-Union groups
- Union-Made Easter
- African Safari Wildlife Park discount
- Vacation savings
- Working Advantage: April Savings in Bloom
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