OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / JuLY 8, 2026

With rising temperatures, it’s important to practice sun safety in the workplace and in every day life. Whether you work primarily indoors or outdoors, keeping some simple tips in mind can keep you safe while working in the heat or enjoying time outside. Over exposure to heat and sun can cause dehydration, fatigue, and other heat-related illnesses. Take care of yourself and your loved ones this summer by being prepared before spending time in the sunshine.

 

Hydration is key! Plan ahead by increasing your water intake before, during, and after spending time in the heat. If you work outside, pack extra water on hot days. Staying hydrated is important to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Many state facilities have notified the union that they are providing water and cooling stations for members during these hot days. If you find that your safety at work is being compromised because of the heat, contact your steward or Staff Representative immediately.

 

Avoid heat-related illness:

• Stay hydrated
• Wear lightweight and breathable clothing
• Seek shade or air-conditioning whenever possible
• Rest frequently
• Limit caffeine intake
• Get plenty of rest
• Avoid heavy, salty foods
• If able, remain indoors during the hottest times of day

Recognize the symptoms of heat-related illness:

Weakness, lightheadedness, nausea and vomiting, extreme sweating, rapid heartbeat, cramps, headache, unusual skin temperature and disorientation.

AFSCME members will continue to be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program after a federal judge blocked the administration’s effort to unfairly disqualify certain government and nonprofit employers from the popular program. 

 

The court’s June 30 ruling —in a lawsuit brought by AFSCME and others — ordered the U.S. Department of Education to abandon a rule change. That change would have allowed the administration to exclude organizations for political reasons and denied their workers access to the student debt relief program that makes college more affordable and attracts skilled workers to public service careers. 

 

AFSCME President Lee Saunders called the ruling a major victory for public service workers and the communities they serve.  Read more.

In a memo from the Ohio Dept. of Administraitve Services (DAS), it was noted that there was an issue over the weekend with processing the current state leave accruals for pay period ending June 27, 2026. As a result, current accruals are not reflected in employee leave balances for vacation and sick leave. DAS is working to research and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Once the issue is corrected or additional details become available, we will provide an update. Agency payroll teams were notified this morning. If employees have questions or concerns, they can reach out to their Human Resources teams. Those teams will likely be sharing information as it becomes available. DAS is working to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.

EXPLORE EDVANCE

The newest Union 411 installment from AFSCME explores the power of collective bargaining. As we head toward bargaining the next three-year contract later this year, we encourage you to watch AND share this video to help others understand the importance of organizing and fighting for a fair contract and what they can do to help make it happen.

 

Collective bargaining is not just about what happens at the bargaining table. Fighting for a fair contract is a prime opportunity to grow union membership. The more members who are engaged, connected and informed, the better the outcomes. Whether we are fighting for fair wages, paid family leave, quality health insurance, better equipment, or safe staffing ratios––collective bargaining is how we achieve victories for workers. And through collective bargaining we are raising the bar for workers across the country, whether they belong to a union or not. Watch Life is Better with Collective Bargaining now!

AFSCME members who keep Ohio theater running ratify first contract unanimously. "This contract represents a huge win and delivers stability for our team that has been sorely needed,” said Ashby Daugherty, an admissions and membership services associate and a member of the contract negotiations team for GFCU/AFSCME Local 281.

 

This victory comes after GFCU voted to form their union with AFSCME Ohio Council 8 in November 2024. Read more.

In what is being called a landslide, a strong majority of staff at Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) voted to form their union, CML United, according to secret ballot election results released this week by Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board (SERB). The results showed that 86% of valid ballots voted in favor of the union.

 

The new union includes approximately 600 librarians, customer services specialists, youth engagement specialists, materials services associates, drivers, sorters, and other library workers. CML United was organized under the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT). Read more.

Congratulations to Joseph Gray, one of the ten awardees of this year's national AFSCME Family Scholarship. He is the son of Arkeeta Humphrey, a member of OCSEA Cleveland Chapter 1801 and a Tax Examiner Specialist at the Ohio Department of Taxation. Joseph will attend Kent State University as a freshman in the fall where he will be studying architecture.

 

This $2,000 AFSCME Family Scholarship is available to high school graduating seniors and is renewable for up to four years, as long as the student remains enrolled full-time. The scholarship may be used for any field of study. Learn more about the AFSCME Family Scholarship HERE.