OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / SEPTEMBER 4, 2025

The 36th OCSEA Biennial Convention wrapped up this past Saturday. Over 400 delegates and alternates elected by their chapters gathered in Cleveland last week, Aug. 28-30. They attended to the business of the union, including making updates to the union constitution and passing resolutions in which the delegation takes a stance on a wide range of specific issues that impact public employee union members.

 

Attendees heard from an array of speakers, including Sen. Sherrod Brown, Dr. Amy Acton and AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders on the power of public employee voices in choosing our bosses at the ballot box. Guest panels spoke on issues pertaining to organizing, building the union movement, technology and our jobs and more. Convention goers also attended workshops to build union skills and perused the Future of Work Expo showing delegates how technology is rapidly changing the workplace.

 

The theme of the convention focused in on solidarity and strength. “What’s the foundation of our strength?” asked Pres. Chris Mabe on Saturday, the last day of convention. “It’s the members of our union who make our state a better and safer place to live,” he said.  As a way of highlighting those strengths, and the solidarity it brings, the union took time out at convention to honor the outstanding accomplishments of OCSEA activists, members and chapters. The union presented three awards to honor leadership, union power and community service among the membership and chapters.

 

As a lasting tribute to the legacy of 24-year OCSEA President Ron Alexander, OCSEA honored the retiree leader and the OCSEA Board of Directors voted to name the OCSEA Union Hall in Westerville in his honor. Alexander has called building the union hall one of his biggest accomplishments as OCSEA’s president. He told convention delegation that he was humbled by the renaming and was grateful for the celebration of his long history leading the union, which included retaining collective bargaining for Ohio state employees, enforcing contracts, protecting pensions and fighting for OCSEA retirees.

 

These news stories and more can be found at the official 36th OCSEABiennial Convention website: con.OCSEA.org

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Convention Photo Gallery

The OCSEA delegation heard from friend of Labor Sen. Sherrod Brown about the dignity of work, the value of public service and the fight ahead for collective bargaining. Read more.

Friday's general session kicked off with an inspiring and positive speech by Dr. Amy Acton calling for change in Ohio. Read more.

OCSEA honors 24-year president Ron Alexander for his lifetime of leadership. Read more.

AFSCME International Pres. Lee Saunders joined delegates in his hometown of Cleveland to promote the AFSCME Get Organized (GO) campaign. Read more.

The first-ever Jean Fightmaster Leadership Award was awarded to long-time union activist Joe Wing, who has served the union for 48 years. Read more.

At last week's OCSEA Biennial Convention, Pres. Chris Mabe unveiled a member-only workplace security insurance benefit. The new benefit includes a NO COST $10,000 insurance policy exclusively for members of the union. 

 

OCSEA has teamed up with Pearl Insurance to offer the workplace security insurance, which covers death and dismemberment while on the job and hostage situations.  The $10,000 insurance policy will be provided at absolutely no cost to members, but only to members. Non-members can receive the benefit if they sign a card with the union. 

 

“This is a way to show appreciation for your commitment to public service and for being a valued member of OCSEA,” said Pres. Mabe during the unveiling. "This benefit will be available to every active member of OCSEA, but only members, no one else," he said.

 

For more details on the new member-only benefit you can check out more information from Pearl Insurance HERE.

OCSEA activists from around Toledo joined other AFSCME and union members this past weekend to celebrate Labor Day with family and supporters. The activists marched in the annual Toledo Labor Day Parade to remind the community about why we celebrate Labor Day and the importance of public union members. Members from Lucas Chap. 4800 celebrated with matching shirts.

Ahead of Labor Day, Gallup released its annual poll showing that nearly seven in 10 Americans approve of labor unions.  “Gallup polling once again shows historically strong support [for unions] because workers understand they have the power to win fair pay, safer working conditions and dignity on the job when they organize a union,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. Read more.