OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / October 14, 2026
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Allen-Oakwood prison activists hold informational picket to raise concerns
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OCSEA activists held an informational picket on Friday, October 9 in Lima to call attention to ongoing workplace and public-safety concerns at the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI). Union leaders at the prison spoke to the media and community members about threats brought about by chronic understaffing, mandatory overtime and poor operational decisions by management at the facility.
“Our staff are tired and they’re fed up. And this is something––I’ve been here 32 years––and this is the worst I’ve seen this prison ran. The worst that I’ve seen, the staff morale. It’s just got to the point where we got to do this and we got to let the public know that our staff and inmates are not as safe as what they could be in this environment,” AOCI Chapter 0230 President Shawn Gruber told Lima's WLIO news.
OCSEA Staff Representative James Beverly Jr. said inaction by the Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Corrections and local prison officials is dangerous for staff and the community. “In this administration, how they are running things is the worst by far. It’s not if the next critical incident happens, it’s when," Beverly told WLIO news. The union is calling on DRC to look at AOCI leadership and to review all complaints that have been submitted by the union.
See more photos from the event HERE: Facebook | Instagram
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First-ever Future of Work Conference is this weekend
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The first-ever OCSEA Future of Work Conference will take place on Saturday, October 17 at the Quest Conference Center in Westerville, with a reception the night before at the OCSEA Union Hall. Registration for this conference and reception are closed.
The conference will provide information, discussion, and resources focused on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, workforce changes, training opportunities, and preparing members for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
A Future of Work Reception will be held on Friday, October 16 starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place at the OCSEA Union Hall (across the street from Quest). The theme is Back to the Future and costumes are encouraged but optional. There will be prizes for best costumes.
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OCSEA Future of Work Conference
Reception: Friday, October 16 at OCSEA Union Hall - 5:30 p.m.
Conference: Saturday, October 17
Quest Conference Center,
9200 Worthington Rd.,
Westerville, OH 43082
Check in begins at 9 a.m.
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OCSEA Veterans Conference: Nominate for annual veterans awards
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OCSEA Veterans Conference
November 13-14 at Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center
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During the OCSEA Veterans Conference on Nov. 14, OCSEA will give out two honorary veterans awards to celebrate community service and dedication to veterans issues. The OCSEA Veterans Committee will honor 1) OCSEA Member Veteran of the Year and 2) OCSEA Member Veteran Supporter of the Year
Noiminate now! The nomination deadline is October 26, 2026. Nomination forms are below:
Email completed nomination forms to gison@ocsea.org or mail to OCSEA, ATTN: Veterans Conference Nominations, 390 Worthington Rd., Suite A, Westerville, OH 43082.
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Labor-to-labor GOTV events are underway! Get involved!
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Our union values are on the ballot! That's why thousands of Ohio union members are volunteering in Get Out the Vote efforts by canvassing neighborhoods and making calls about labor-endorsed candidates. We're having critical conversations with brother and sister union members and their families about the candidates who have earned labor’s endorsement—why they earned it––and why they deserve your support in the upcoming election.
The results of the November 3 election will be monumental for all Ohioans, and particularly for state employees, especially as we elect the person who will lead the state in contract negotiations. “It’s time we get the best seat at the table to move us forward,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe.
Keep scrolling to see how you and your chapter members can get involved in Ohio Labor Get Out the Vote efforts and events taking place in October and through Election Day. Stay tuned to these emails and visit OCSEAVotes.org for updates and GOTV activities, union endorsements and more.
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Labor Votes 2026 Canvass Events: Every Saturday!
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Join union leaders and members across Ohio for door-to-door canvass events every Saturday to support union-endorsed candidates up and down the ballot! Find one near you:
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Toledo Federation of Teachers, 115 S St. Clair St.,Toledo, OH 43604 | Contact: Mike Noll mnoll@ohaflcio.org
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Tri-County Regional Labor Council, 720 Wolf Ledges Pkwy | Contact: Kyle Weidleman, kweidlem@aft.org
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Click image for Early Voting hours and more:
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Join Dropkick Murphys for "For The People" Rally on Oct 23 in Brook Park
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The Ohio AFL-CIO is excited to announce an upcoming "For The People" Rally on October 23 to elect union member candidates up and down the ballot. The Cleveland-area event, celebrating the AFL-CIO's Path to Power candidates, will include AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and an always stellar performance by labor's favorite band: the Dropkick Murphys!
The "For The People" Rally will take place October 23 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at Local UAW 1250, 17250 Hummel Rd. Brook Park, OH 44142. The link to RSVP is below. Please note, space is limited and is on a first-come-first served basis.
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Join Labor 2026 Toledo GOTV Canvass on Oct. 21
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Join Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten as Toledo union members participate in Labor Votes 2026 Get Out the Vote efforts on Wednesday October 21.
The union canvass will take place from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and will kick off from the Toledo Federation of Teachers (TFT), 115 S St Clair St, Toledo, OH 43604. Union members will be knocking on doors and having critical conversations with neighborhood union members and their families about pro-union candidates and making a plan to vote!
Training is available at the start of the event, so whether you’re a seasoned canvasser or this is your first time at a Labor Votes event, all are welcome to participate! The link to RSVP is below.
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Join Cleveland labor for GOTV calls and postcards every Tuesday and Thursday
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Location
North Shore AFL-CIO
3250 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44115
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Edvance Discount College: On-the-job training may count toward a degree
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The Union College Benefit through Edvance gets OCSEA members and their families reduced tuition at accredited schools. But what some members may not know is that it can also turn the training you've already logged into college credit.
One of the schools in the Edvance network, Trine University, can convert documented training hours into academic credit for a Criminal Justice degree. That covers a lot of OCSEA members: officers and sergeants at ODRC, juvenile correctional officers at DYS, and staff at DODD and DBH. Homeland security and emergency management work at Public Safety and Ohio EMA may count too, and so does military service, no matter what agency you work for now.
Members with 600 documented hours may be able to apply them at 40 training hours per credit, up to 15 credits. That's an entire five-course requirement covered by work you've already done. The school provides a free evaluation. Explore Trine University's Criminal Justice programs through Edvance, and then send your training records, certificates, DD-214, or employer verification, and you'll get back a breakdown of what applies and what's left to do.
Of course, credits are only one way the benefit brings down costs for OCSEA members and their families. On top of your discount, you may explore grants, scholarships, or tuition assistance through your union and employer that stacks on top of your reduce union member tuition savings.
The next term starts October 26th.
CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREES
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