OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / JANUARY 23, 2026

Registration is open for OCSEA's annualCommittee on Minority and Community Affairs (CMCA) Conference, which will take place Friday, March 6-Saturday March 7.

The conference theme is "From Grassroots to Greatness,” focusing on labor and political action. Speakers and events will focus on how union members from the ground up impact their workplaces and communities. This includes being a voice for all and the importance of political engagement around issues that impact unions and public employees. See last's years conference wrap up video to get a feel for what the annual conference is all about.

The conference will be held at The Embassy Suites, 5800 Rockside Woods Rd., Independence, Ohio 44131. VisitOCSEA.org/CMCAto download the conference registration form, to get instructions on registration, to view the Conference Call and to get the link to make hotel reservations.More information on sign ups forBasic Steward and Advanced Steward Trainings will be coming soon. The trainings will be held Friday, March 6 from 6-9 pm.

OCSEA's Les Best Scholarship Program awards a total of $12,000 in college scholarships annually in three categories: 1) OCSEA members who are enrolled in or plan to enroll in full- or part-time undergraduate studies in the fall; 2) Dependents of members who are enrolled in or plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate college/vocational school in the fall; 3) Spouses of members who are enrolled in or plan to enroll in full- or part-time undergraduate studies in the fall. The scholarships are open only to dues-paying members and their families.

Applications are being accepted now through April 30. Get more information and download applications at OCSEA.org/LesBest. Click below to get the scholarship program checklist.

This week, and all year, we remember the special role that Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. played in AFSCME’s history. On the America's Workforce Union Podcast, AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders recalls how, in 1968, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., joined the cause of 1,300 Black sanitation workers in Memphis, who said “enough is enough.” They went on strike for recognition of their union, AFSCME Local 1733, and to speak out against inhumane and unsafe working conditions.

Labor rights and civil rights are so greatly intertwined, and we must never forget our history. “He was there supporting their right to have collective bargaining. He was there supporting their fight to have a safe workplace and to be paid decent wages,” said Saunders. “And he understood the connection between civil rights and labor rights and economic rights. He was the messenger for us in Memphis, Tennessee, at that time. If it wasn’t for his involvement, I can’t imagine what would have happened, whether we would have been successful or not.”

Listen to the America's Workforce Union Podcast to learn more about our AFSCME history and so much more labor history. It's a must listen for any union activist!