OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / August 21, 2026
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OCSEA District 6 members: RSVP for Family Fun Day by Aug. 25
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Last call! The District 6 Family Fun Day will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26. If you haven't already, please RSVP to district6event@gmail.com by Aug. 25. Let the district know how many people you'll be bringing to ensure that there is enough food for everyone. Please include the number of children 13 and under.
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Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 26, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM
Location: OCSEA Union Hall, 390 Worthington Rd., Westerville, OH 43082
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Delegates elect new leaders, honor public work and activists, support labor fights and more
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It was a powerful and emotional week as thousands of delegates, including OCSEA delegates, gathered for AFSCME's 47th International Convention in Chicago. International President Lee Saunders kicked off the convention on Monday by giving his farewell address after leading AFSCME for 14 years. Pres. Saunders rallied union members to continue organizing, mobilizing and fighting to build power for working people and protect public services.
With delegates chanting his name and waving signs, Saunders also spoke about his 50-year career as an activist and union leader, a career that began when he joined OCSEA while working at the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services (OBES). OCSEA President Chris Mabe was the first to speak in favor of a resolution honoring Saunders for his many contributions to organized labor. Delegates unanimously approved the resolution that gives Saunders the title of President Emeritus and creates a scholarship fund in his honor.
Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride also delivered her final keynote speech to the AFSCME Convention on Tuesday, reminding attendees that “We cannot rest until every public service worker in our country has the freedom to collectively bargain,” she said.
In addition to hearing from an amazing line up of guest speakers, like AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, musicians like Tom Morella (Rage Against the Machine), union activists, labor and economic experts and so many more, delegates also attended to the business of the union. This included nominating and electing the next leaders of the union.
AFSCME Maryland Council 3 President Patrick Moran was nominated and elected by the delegation to serve as the new AFSCME International President, representing 1.4 million members across the country. The floor nomination speech came from Pres. Mabe, calling him "a labor leader who knows how to organize, how to fight and how to win." For the last 14 years, Moran has led Council 3 with integrity, care, and an organizing spirit, says his union. Under his leadership, the council expanded collective bargaining rights to over 15,000 workers in Maryland; secured historic raises, a heat safety standard, and so much more.
Nicole R. Pollard was nominated and elected to serve as the next AFSCME International Secretary-Treasurer. Pollard served as the Legal Counsel and Executive Assistant to the AFSCME President. "We look forward to their leadership and guidance as we build momentum for workers across this nation," said Mabe.
Additionally, OCSEA union brother Carrington Melton was awarded the prestigious 2026 AFSCME Never Quit Service Award. Carrington, who did not know he was receiving the award, was delighted and surprised during Wednesday’s event honoring his public work for veterans, as a veteran. Brother Melton, a U.S. Army Veteran, is a Disabled Veteran Outreach Specialist with the Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services. He helps Ohio veterans find jobs and resources. Look for a full report on Brother Melton's award (PLUS an amazing video honoring his public service) in next week's e-newsletter. You WILL NOT want to miss it!
We will also have updates on a massive rally experience in which the AFSCME delegation stood strong to support AFSCME members at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. They are currently fighting for a fair contract.
CLICK HERE for more AFSCME International Convention highlights.
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Celebrate unions! Attend a Labor Day event near you!
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Portsmouth River Days Labor Day Parade is Sept. 5
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Join fellow union members, families and friends from across Scioto County to celebrate labor with the annual River Day Labor Day Parade on Sat., Sept. 5. Floats line up at IBEW Local 575 Hall at 110 Offnere St, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Line up begins at 10 a.m. with the parade kicking off at 11 a.m.
River Days in Portsmouth, Ohio, is an iconic event held annually over Labor Day weekend for over six decades. The Ohio AFL-CIO invites all union members to join as labor celebrates America’s unions and working people across the nation during the Workers' Labor Day week of action.
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Marietta Labor Day/Fair Parade is Sept. 5
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Join fellow union members, families and friends from across Washington County to celebrate Labor Day and kick off the Washington County Fair on Sat., Sept. 5. Floats line up near Ohio Street at 3rd and 4th streets (around Don Drumm Stadium) in Marietta.
Line up begins at 9 a.m. with the parade kicking off at 10 a.m. The parade begins on Ohio Street and moves to 2nd Street, turns left onto Greene Street, and then turns right onto Front Street. It will end at the Washington County Fairgrounds at 922 Front Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750.
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Toledo Labor Day Parade is Sept. 7
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The Greater Northwest Ohio Central Labor Council AFL-CIO will hold their annual Labor Day parade and celebration of unions in Toledo on Mon., Sept. 7. The parade will step off at 9 a.m.
Local unions affiliated with AFSCME, including OCSEA, will be staging at the north curb lanes (opposite side of AFL-CIO) of Monroe at Summit. OCSEA participants should begin arriving at 8 a.m. The parade steps off at the intersection of Summit Street and Monroe Street. The procession proceeds to head north on Summit Street, turns left (west) onto Jackson Street, and heads to Huron Street, where it will end .
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Newark Labor Day Parade is Sept. 7
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The Licking Knox Muskingum Coshocton Labor Counci Labor Day parade is set for Mon., Sept. 7 in Newark. Union members will line up starting at 10: a.m. at S. 3rd Street & E Market Street Newark, OH 43055 (the same staging area as in past years). The parade kicks off at Noon.
Please note, however, that the parade route is different this year due to construction. The parade will travel north on 3rd Street and then turn right on south Park Place and proceed in a left-handed circle around the Courthouse Square. The route will return to the parking lot where the parade started.
Following the parade, lunch will be served at the USW 244 Union Hall at 350 Hudson Ave, Newark, OH 43055. All union members and their families are welcome to join.
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Join Cleveland AFL-CIO for Labor Day Parade on Sept. 7
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Lima Building Trades Council Labor Day Parade is Sept. 7
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Join fellow union members, families and friends from across Allen County on Sat., Sept 7 to celebrate Labor Day at the annual Lima Labor Day parade. The event is sponsored by the Lima Building Trades Council.
The procession lines up at 9 a.m. near St. Gerard Catholic Church and Northland Plaza (120 W Northern Ave, Lima, OH 45801) and travels south down Main Street to Town Square.
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Cincinnati Labor Day Family Picnic is Sept. 5. Get Tickets now!
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The Cincinnati Labor Council's Labor Day Weekend Family Picnic Basket Celebration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5 from Noon to 6 p.m. at Stricker's Grove! The labor council invites all union members and their families for a day of fun celebrating labor's hard work! The event location is 11490 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45013.
The very special event will include guest speaker, Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who will speak and introduce OCSEA-endorsed candidate for Ohio Governor Dr. Amy Acton.
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Tickets are $25 per person (2 years and under are free) and include parking, rides, mini golf, soft drinks, popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, and ice cream. Additional food will be available to purchase.
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Join the Akron RubberDucks for a celebration of labor on Sept. 4
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The Akron RubberDucks minor league baseball team will hold a celebration of labor unions at their game against Richmond on Friday, Sept. 4. There are complimentary tickets for union families while supplies last (limit of 10 per family). Request tickets at THIS LINK.
Download this flyer to share with chapter members and to enter to win a 2026 RAM 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4X4 courtesy of 7/17 Credit Union and Fred Martin Superstore.
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Labor Votes 2026 Canvass: This Saturday (and every Saturday in August)
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Join union leaders and members across Ohio this Saturday for door-to-door canvass event near you. These events, taking place every Saturday through August, will allow union voices to talk one-on-one in neighborhoods with
union families about electing union-strong endorsed candidates up and down the ballot!
LABOR VOTES CANVASS
THIS SATURDAY, August 22
- COLUMBUS: 9:30 AM at UFCW Local 1059, 4150 E Main St.| Contact: Mike French, mfrench@ohaflcio.org
- CLEVELAND: 9:30 AM Locations Vary By Week | Contact: Rebecca Gorski, rgorski@clevelandaflcio.org
- CINCINNATI: 9:30 AM at Cincinnati AFL-CIO/APWU Local 164, 1385 Tennessee Ave. | Contact: Will Minehart, wminehart@ohaflcio.org
- AKRON: 9:30 AM at Tri-County Regional Labor Council, 720 Wolf Ledges Pkwy | Contact: Jason Perlman, jperlman@ohaflcio.org
- CANTON: 9:30 AM at USW Golden Lodge, 1234 Harrison Ave., SW | Contact: Kathleen Kelly-Calcei, kcalcei@ohaflcio.org
- DAYTON: 9:30 AM at Dayton-Miami Valley CLC, 6550 Poe Ave. | Contact: Will Minehart, wminehart@ohaflcio.org
- NILES: 9:30 AM USW 2155/Mahoning-Trumbull CLC, 1265 N. Main St. | Contact: Kathleen Kelly-Calcei, kcalcei@ohaflcio.org
- TOLEDO: 9:30 AM, Locations Vary By Week | Contact: Mike Noll, mnoll@ohaflcio.org
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