OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / August 27, 2026
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Ohio veterans specialist is honored with AFSCME’s 2026 Never Quit Service Award
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At the 47th International Convention, AFSCME honored Carrington Melton, a disabled veterans outreach specialist at the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services and a member of OCSEA, with the 2026 Never Quit Service Award.
Melton has dedicated his career to helping Ohio’s veterans find jobs as they transition from military life to civilian life. Outgoing AFSCME President Lee Saunders introduced Melton and spoke of his service:. “[Carrington] … has spent his career helping his fellow veterans find meaning in the next chapter of their lives. He refuses to leave his fellow veterans behind. He embodies the best of our union,” Saunders said.
Several of Melton’s clients spoke in a stirring video about how much his work meant to them. And two special guests surprised Melton to help him celebrate the honor: His mom, Claudia Melton, and a former client and friend, David Jeffries.
OCSEA is so proud that this honor could be bestowed upon union brother Melton. He does Ohio, and OCSEA proud. He truly Never Quits!
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Watch Brother Melton's Never Quit tribute
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Moran, Pollard elected to lead AFSCME International union
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Last Thursday, AFSCME members elected Patrick Moran as AFSCME International president at the union’s 47th International Convention in Chicago. Nicole Pollard was elected International secretary-treasurer.
Moran and Pollard ran as a ticket, pledging to build on that momentum of outgoing President Lee Saunders. they pledged to invest in bold, direct member engagement and mobilization. Their platform focused on growing worker power, protecting and expanding public services, and improving the lives of working people by taking on the fights ahead.
Moran previously served as an AFSCME International vice president and president of Maryland Council 3. He expanded collective bargaining for Maryland’s public service workers, strengthened safety standards and built power by expanding membership.
Pollard, an AFSCME member for 23 years, served as AFSCME International executive assistant to former President Lee Saunders. She makes history as the first African American woman to hold this position within AFSCME.
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Newly elected AFSCME President Patrick Moran and Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Pollard close out the 47th International Convention. (Photo: Khalid Naji-Allah)
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Combined Charitable Campaign runs now through Oct. 23
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The Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC) kicked off this week and runs through Oct. 23. The CCC is an annual initiative that encourages State of Ohio employees to donate to one of more than 900 local, regional, and international charitable organizations. CCC consolidates many charitable campaigns into one, asking State of Ohio employees to voluntarily donate through payroll deductions or a one-time gift. All OCSEA members are encouraged to participate as a way to give back to their communities and to important charities that make Ohio strong. Get the CCC Resource Guide in the Coordinator Toolkit section.
The CCC has been a joint union and state campaign for over 35 years. “Every year, the CCC set a statewide goal, but the impact can’t be measured in numbers alone. It’s measured in stories, in lives changed and in the everyday moments where a helping hand makes all the difference,” said Chris Mabe, OCSEA President and labor partner in the CCC. Pres. Mabe encourages All OCSEA members to participate in the annual charitable giving as a way to give back to their communities and to important charities that make Ohio strong.
The CCC offers an online giving system, ePledge, which is a secure and efficient method of viewing and making contributions to the campaign. You may choose to make a payroll deduction or a one-time donation via credit card or electronic check. A minimum donation of $26 is required for credit card payments and electronic checks. Access the ePledge site through myOhio.gov (State News and Events page––click on the myCCC "Click to Donate" tile).
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Watch the CCC Kickoff video
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Celebrate unions! Attend a Labor Day event near you!
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Concert for a Meaningful Labor Day: Sept 6 in Columbus
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Join singer Bill Cohen for his Meaningful Celebration of Labor Day Concert to celebrate all who work. The concert will take place Sunday Sept.6 at 4 p.m. at the Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave., Columbus, 43214.
Bill sings songs honoring union members, factory workers, truckers, teachers, farmworkers, miners, white collar workers, warehouse workers, and so many more. His compilation includes the compelling songs that build up workers and explore the American experience, from Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen to Dolly Parton, Sam Cooke and Garrison Keillor. Bill will explore our nation's memories of union struggles that brought us the 8-hour workday, the minimum wage, safer workplaces and an end to child labor. He will be joined by the great vocal harmonies of Teresa Schleifer and Phil Hart.
A $20 donation per person is suggested at the door, but any and all contributions are welcome. The musicians and tech crew will split the proceeds with the Central Ohio Worker Center.
WHAT: Concert for a Meaningful Labor Day with Bill Cohen and friends
WHEN: Sunday Sept. 6 at 4 pm
WHERE: Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Avenue 43214
There is free parking on the street and in nearby lots of North Broadway Methodist Church
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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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Portsmouth River Days Labor Day Parade is Sept. 5
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Portsmouth River Day Labor Day Parade: Saturday, Sept. 5. Floats line up at IBEW Local 575 Hall, 110 Offnere St, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Line up begins at 10 a.m.; Parade kicks off at 11 a.m.
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Marietta Labor Day/Fair Parade is Sept. 5
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Toledo Labor Day Parade is Sept. 7
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Greater Northwest Ohio Central Labor Council AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade: Monday, Sept. 7 in Toledo. Parade steps off at 9 a.m. Staging at the north curb lanes (opposite side of AFL-CIO) of Monroe and Summit streets. Participants should begin arriving at 8 a.m.
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Newark Labor Day Parade is Sept. 7
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Licking Knox Muskingum Coshocton Labor Counci Labor Day Parade: Monday, Sept. 7 in Newark. Line up starts at 10: a.m. at S. 3rd Street & E Market Street Newark, OH 43055 (the same staging area as in past years). Parade kicks off at Noon.
Following the parade, lunch will be served at the USW 244 Union Hall at 350 Hudson Ave, Newark, OH 43055.
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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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Lima Labor Day Parade: Monday, Sept 7. 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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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 29
- 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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