OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS /SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
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Meet your 2027 OCSEA State Contract Bargaining Team
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On Sept. 12, 2026, over 300 OCSEA activists attended the OCSEA Bargaining Council in Columbus to elect the next OCSEA State Contract Bargaining Team. The Team will negotiate the OCSEA state contract that expires at the end of February 2027 and includes 24 OCSEA union members representing every state OCSEA bargaining unit as well as OCSEA's three executive officers. See the Team list below.
Now that the Team has been elected, our next steps will be to start building a winning strategy around our theme: Our Contract! Our Future! For the elected team members, that means working hard before the start of bargaining to get training on procedure, talk strategy and to take a deeper dive into the bargaining survey results. Over the next several weeks the team will focus on the priorities of the membership to create bargaining proposals and come up with strategies and tactics that match those priorities.
But the Bargaining Team can’t do this alone. The Team can’t demand our priorities be met and make gains at the table without the full support and participation of the OCSEA membership. While the Bargaining Team is busy these next few weeks, we hope all our membership will get busy too. We need EVERY member to take an active role in this year’s negotiations. That means a massive showing of solidarity and just plain union strength to show who really has the most power at the bargaining table.
“There are 50 days until we elect the next Governor of this state. We have a lot of gains to be made if we make the right choice at the ballot box,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe, who talked about why bargaining preparation is starting a little earlier than normal as the gubernatorial election approaches.
“It’s your contract, it’s our contract, and it’s worth fighting for. At the end of the day, we’re trying to get a good contract for the benefit of everyone, now and into the future.” said Mabe.
Stay informed! Sign up for Bargaining text alerts by texting OurContract (no spaces) to 237-263 from your mobile phone. Get updates atOCSEA.org/bargaining
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- OCSEA Executive Officers: President Chris Mabe, Vice President Cynthia Watiker & Secretary-Treasurer Melissa Yank
- Bargaining Unit 3: Doug Korba, Brian Miller, Ray Harker, Bill Homer, Tom Holden, Wilson Humphrey
- Bargaining Unit 4: Marcus Harris, Deborah Weaver
- Bargaining Unit 5: Jeff Condo
- Bargaining Unit 6: Michael Sheeter
- Bargaining Unit 7: Scott Buckridge, Bill McAllister, Marie Pacer
- Bargaining Unit 9: Amy Mathews, Damon Neal, Eric Kusky
- Bargaining Unit 13: Bridget McGovern
- Bargaining Unit 14: Bryan Weaver, Matt Tyack, Natalie Qualls, Jennifer Wolfe
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Chapter leaders: Attend an upcoming OCSEA Financial Leadership Training
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All subordinate body leaders are encouraged to attend one of two upcoming OCSEA Financial Leadership Trainings. Two events are scheduled over the next few months: Tuesday, October 6 from 3-5 p.m. and Tuesday, December 8 from 3-5 p.m. All events will be held at the OCSEA Union Hall in Westerville. You can only register for one session.
While it is a finance-themed training, it is also an important event for all subordinate body leaders to attend. In addition to rebates, reporting, forms, minutes and more, the training will also cover officer and executive board duties.
Sign up using the form at this link. You will be able to choose which training you would like to attend. When registering, indicate whether you will need release time. Please note: lost wages and mileage will not be provided by OCSEA Central Office; contact your subordinate body with questions about those expenses.
Have questions? Contact the OCSEA Membership Resource Center (MRC) at 888-627-3211.
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OCSEA Financial Leadership Trainings
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 3-5 p.m.
OCSEA Union Hall, 390 Worthington Rd.,
Westerville, OH 43082
OR
Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 3-5 p.m.
OCSEA Union Hall, 390 Worthington Rd.,
Westerville, OH 43082
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Announcing new program through your Edvance Union College Benefit: Labor Studies
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Labor Day has passed, but the work that goes into advocating for workers is still here.
If you're a steward, an officer, or a member who wants to help other union members, a Labor Studies degree just may be for you.
The new Associate in Labor Studies, provided through the Edvance Union College Benefit, gives you the law, history, and processes to help you stand up for workers' rights––and can open doors to turn labor work into a career, or formalize the work you're already doing with a degree.
Through the Edvance benefit, OCSEA members and their family members will save 41% on the price of tuition and 100% on time saving with an education program that fits easily into your schedule.
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Click below for more on Supplemental Life Insurance:
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Register now for OCSEA Future of Work Conference
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Don't forget! Registration is open for the first OCSEA Future of Work Conference. The event will take place at the Quest Conference Center in Westerville on Saturday, October 17, with a reception the night before.
All OCSEA members are welcome and encouraged to attend. 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.
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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. These events 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 2026 CANVASS: EVERY SATURDAY
- COLUMBUS: UFCW Local 1059, 4150 E Main St. | Contact: Mike French, mfrench@ohaflcio.org
- CLEVELAND: Locations vary by week | Contact: Rebecca Gorski, rgorski@clevelandaflcio.org
- TOLEDO: TFT, 115 S St. Clair St., Toledo, OH 43604 | Contact: Mike Noll, mnoll@ohaflcio.org
- NILES: USW 2155/Mahoning-Trumbull CLC, 1265 N. Main St. | Contact: Kathleen Kelly-Calcei, kcalcei@ohaflcio.org
- CANTON: USW Golden Lodge, 1234 Harrison Ave., SW | Contact: Kathleen Kelly-Calcei, kcalcei@ohaflcio.org
- DAYTON: Dayton-Miami Valley CLC, 6550 Poe Ave. | Contact: Will Minehart, wminehart@ohaflcio.org
- AKRON: Tri-County Regional Labor Council, 720 Wolf Ledges Pkwy | Contact: Kyle Weidleman, kweidlem@aft.org
- CINCINNATI: Cincinnati AFL-CIO/APWU Local 164, 1385 Tennessee Ave. | Contact: Will Minehart, wminehart@ohaflcio.org
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