Archive 2006
Providing union news and resources to OCSEA members and their families

OCSEA's News Center includes links to recent features from the current year, as well as links to the 2007 Archive, 2005 Archive, and 2004 Archive .

Dec. 22, 2006 - A union-style Christmas story: Portage County chapter supports Center for Hope in a big way

Dec. 21, 2006 - Legislators cripple unions PACs

Dec. 20, 2006 - Senate approves capital bill without removing bad private prison deal

Dec. 19, 2006 - Union leaders take initiative with new administration

Dec. 18, 2006 - New Directions newsletter for leaders

Dec. 18, 2006 - Union brings to light 36.05 inconsistencies

Dec. 18, 2006 - Current UBBN materials cover: CMCA conference, Building Union Power event, and Civil Service alert

Dec. 13, 2006 - Wood County chapter hosts Toys for Tots at the Toledo Zoo

Dec. 8, 2006 - Union activists make difference in victory on civil service bill

Dec. 6, 2006 - Civil Service "Deform" (HB 187) proposal is back, despite voter referendum to clean up corruption

Dec. 6, 2006 - Union's summarized concerns on Civil Service "Deform" (HB 187) proposal

Dec. 1, 2006 - AFSCME/UNCF: Union Scholars Program applications due Feb. 27, 2007

Dec. 1, 2006 - ODOT employees turn out in huge numbers to support Quality

Nov. 30, 2006 - Union members co-host fashion show to benefit Combined Charitable Committee

Nov. 22, 2006 - ODOT: Union Education Trust offers up to $1,000 for advanced HT courses

Nov. 22, 2006 - Weather emergency grievance update

Nov. 21, 2006 - New Directions newsletter Issue 13 - Nov. 24, 2006

Nov. 21, 2006 - Grievance filed for overtime pay on 36.05 review

Nov. 14, 2006 - At union’s urging, State to hire more correction officers

Nov. 9, 2006 - Count every vote in Kilroy v. Pryce race; Rally Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. in Ohio Union at OSU

Nov. 9, 2006 - Strickland, Fisher, Cordray thank OCSEA in person at the board's planning session

Nov. 8, 2006 - OCSEA members made the difference: Ohioans elect Strickland, Brown

Nov. 2, 2006 - It's not over yet; Help GOTV Nov. 4 - 7 to turn around Ohio

Nov. 2, 2006 - Print endorsements by district, take to the polls

Nov. 2, 2006 -Voter Protection: Know your rights, Volunteer

Oct. 31, 2006 - Hear how one union member "shows" his support— bluegrass style

Oct. 29, 2006 - It's not over yet; Help GOTV Nov. 4 - 7 to turn around Ohio

Oct. 26, 2006 - ManCI employees deliver G.I.F.T.

Oct. 25, 2006 - Union again warns governor of prison problems

Oct. 24, 2006 - Text of letter sent to Gov. Taft, legislators regarding prison overcrowding

Oct. 25, 2006 - Pay upgrade on the way for four classifications

Oct. 18, 2006 - Corrections officers picketed in Lima this week

Oct. 18, 2006 - UBBN: Voter I.D. at the polls on Election Day (PDF)

Oct. 18, 2006 - UBBN: Nadra Floyd Scholarship application deadline approaches (PDF)

Oct. 18, 2006 - UBBN: Horizon Award: Nominate co-worker for outstanding community service (PDF)

Oct. 10, 2007 - Last day to register to vote for Nov. 7 election

Oct. 5, 2006 - Alexander re-elected to pension board

Oct. 5, 2006 - What are you doing Saturday morning? Join the National Labor 2006 Canvass Day  

Sept. 28, 2006 - Union members picket over safety issues, staffing levels at DYS facilities

Sept. 25, 2006 - Retirement training to begin this fall

Sept. 25, 2006 - Education Trust offers electronic vouchers

Sept. 19, 2006 - Union activists shared best practices at Presidents Conference

Sept. 18, 2006 - High Performance Initiative Award to recognize subordinate body achievements; Download Application

Sept. 15, 2006 - Union, State kick off annual State Campaign

Sept. 9, 2006 - One week left to complete, return survey

Sept. 8, 2006 - Labor walks continue this weekend

Sept. 8, 2006 - Good news on voter registration

Sept. 7, 2006 - Indiana: We hate our state's private turnpike

Sept. 6, 2006 - OCSEA supports Alexander for OPERS board; Election ballots due this month

Sept. 6, 2006 - Unions take note of Blackwell's privatization ideas

Sept. 1, 2006 - Blackwell joins the ranks of Lima prison proponents - three years late

Sept. 1, 2006 - New poll indicates Americans view unions positively

Aug. 25, 2006 - Labor-to-Labor walks begin

Aug. 23, 2006 - Three new board members sworn into office

Aug. 14, 2006 - OCSEA activists, leaders represent union interests at 37th AFSCME Convention

Aug. 10, 2006 - Delegates amend constitution to strengthen, excel union's organizing efforts nationwide

Aug. 10, 2006 - Hundreds to receive upgrade in class review

Aug. 10, 2006 - Discussions of new Medicaid agency heat up

Aug. 10, 2006 - Complete, return health care survey

Aug. 9, 2006 - AFSCME delegates pass 21st Century Initiative

Aug. 7, 2006 - OCSEA leaders represent members at AFSCME convention this week

Aug. 7, 2006 - OCSEA to put up fight against voter suppression

Aug. 4, 2006 - Ploy to cut estate taxes for super-rich blocked by U.S. Senate vote

Aug. 1, 2006 - Urge Sen. Voinovich to vote NO on cutting estate tax for ultra-wealthy at expense of public services; Call toll free now

Aug. 1, 2006 - Union Education Trust open for business; Apply online

July 31, 2006 - Prison overcrowding gets attention after inmate census spikes

July 28, 2006 - Stewards study arbitration process during intensive, hands-on academy

July 24, 2006 - Help Stop House's back door attack on government services, Social Security

July 21, 2006 - Challenge grants available for TBO; Apply now

July 19, 2006 - Prison privatization “lab” in Florida implodes

July 11, 2006 - State's classification review findings due July 31

July 7, 2006 - Union-negotiated pay raise kicked in last week

June 15, 2006 - Union-negotiated pay raises kick in July 1; State's direct deposit deadline looms

June 15, 2006 - Register for summer quality event now

June 2, 2006 - National certification training helps members improve facilitation skills

May 25, 2006 - Applications due June 9 for Stewards Academy

May 23, 2006 - Nervous legislators trying to drop TEL amendment from ballot, want to substitute legislated measure to cap state funds

May 31, 2006 - MRDD - Register by June 19 for OLMR conference on June 24 in Columbus

May 22, 2006 - Pajama party kicked off WAC conference at lakeside resort

May 18, 2006 - Members to gather near Sandusky for WAC conference

May 17, 2006 - State employees must sign up for direct deposit by June 30

May 12, 2006 - Correction Officer of the Year honored

May 12, 2006 - Learn more about OCSEA's Getting the EDGE by Giving Your PLEDGE Campaign

May 9, 2006 - Download AFSCME Family Fun Day coupons

May 4, 2006 - Complete post-conference evaluation form by June 5

May 2, 2006 - Vote today; Polls open until 7:30 p.m.

May 2, 2006 - Attend May 10 workshop during Conflict Resolution week

April 29, 2006 - Douglas returns as union's executive director

April 27, 2006 - Douglas stepping down as union administrator

April 24, 2006 - OCSEA Education Fact Sheets revised, available for download

April 11, 2006 - Quality pathways event focused on leadership

April 11, 2006 - Know how to keep your workplace safe

April 6, 2006 - Members responding to education trust survey; Participate online now

March 28, 2006 - Early voting worthy of your consideration

March 16, 2006 - Register for WAC conference by April 30

March 16, 2006 - OCSEA Education Fact Sheets revised, available for download

March 13, 2006 - Applications accepted for July 16 - 21 Stewards Academy at Ohio University

March 6, 2006 - District 6 hosts Black History Month celebration at union hall

Feb. 28, 2006 - Members give nod to new state employee contract

Feb. 28, 2006 - FAQ on premium holiday offered

Feb. 28, 2006 - Conference explores "Bridging Cultures" theme; Browse photo gallery, speeches

Feb. 23, 2006 - Public forums held across state to discuss future of state-operated Developmental Centers; Attend one in your area

Feb. 23, 2006 - Regional meeting series successful

Feb. 23, 2006 - Download chapter voting schedule

Feb. 21, 2006 - Horizon Award presented to Joe Wing

Feb. 16, 2006 - Center celebrates 75th anniversary, closes doors this week

Feb. 15, 2006 - Gubernatorial candidate visits with board of directors last weekend

Feb. 15, 2006 - Event to feature best practices in state government; Register online now

Feb. 13, 2006 - Members to weigh in on contract during ratification voting process

Feb. 10, 2006 - Download the Tentative Agreement, the Fact finder's report and more

Feb. 7, 2006 - FAQ offers details about Workforce Development changes

Feb. 3, 2006 - Study released regarding state of MR/DD centers

January 2006 - Check out upcoming union events: WAC, Building Union Power 6, WD's Pre-Retirement Seminars, Pathways to Excellence, and CMCA

Feb. 16, 2006 - Regional meetings to review contract run through Feb. 21

Feb. 16, 2005 - Center celebrates 75th anniversary, closes doors this week

 QUALITY 
Event to feature best practices in state government
Feb. 15, 2006 - Sign up now for the Pathways to Excellence Conference planned for Tuesday, March 21, in Columbus. Browse the Conferences & Events page to learn about other upcoming events. REGISTER ONLINE

 BARGAINING 
Members to weigh in on contract during ratification voting process
Review union guide to fact finder's report
Feb. 13, 2006 - Your chapter will be scheduling times and locations for voting to occur in the next few weeks. In the meantime, review the contract article-by-article summary in the union's guide to the Fact Finder's Report. FULL STORY

Download the Tentative Agreement, the Fact finder's report and more

FAQ offers details about Workforce Development changes

Fact finder's report available
Feb. 10, 2006 - The fact finder, Dr. Harry Graham, submitted recommendations to OCSEA and management on the matter of wages for 2006, 2007, and 2008. Members may download and print his report now. FULL STORY

Release time deadline for poll workers: Feb. 10
Feb. 8 , 2006 - The Office of Collective Bargaining issued an email to OCSEA today about granting approval for the release time of one member per location to staff the union ballot boxes for contract ratification and requiring the union to give notice regarding poll workers by Friday, Feb. 10. FULL STORY

Review union, management fact finding presentations regarding wages
Feb. 3, 2006 - OCSEA and management submitted their cases regarding Article 36 in writing to the fact finder, Dr. Harry Graham. Download and print presentations from both sides. FULL STORY

 MRDD 
Study released regarding state of MR/DD centers
Feb. 3, 2006 - A study of Ohio's Developmental Centers was released this week with no recommendations for specific closures. Download and print the full report. FULL STORY

Download tentative agreement
Jan. 31, 2006 (updated Feb. 1) - Wages was the only issue left to go to fact finding. OCSEA and management submitted their cases in writing—not at a hearing— to the fact finder, Dr. Harry Graham. For details, download and print the union's presentation regarding wages and the tentative agreement. FULL STORY

Fact finding hearing held Tuesday; TA ready for download soon
Jan. 30, 2006 - The fact finder will hear presentations from the union and management on Tuesday, Jan. 31. He will issue a report on Feb. 10. FULL STORY

Learn more about most recent bargaining session
Jan. 27, 2006 - Log in to the MyOCSEA Bargaining website to view details about what took place at the bargaining table Jan. 23 - 27. Bargaining updates are available to members only. If you have not signed a union membership application yet, please contact Customer Service or complete the online request form now. FULL STORY

Regional meetings scheduled to discuss tentative agreement details
Jan. 26, 2006 - In an effort to communicate with union members about the results of contract negotiations, members of the Negotiating Team, OCSEA’s chief negotiator, the executive committee, and OCSEA staff will visit 10 cities next month. Download and print the Tentative Agreement. FULL STORY

UQN reviews 2005 results, moves forward
Jan. 17, 2006 - As the Union Quality Network (UQN) began the new year, the committee members looked back at the accomplishments of 2005. FULL STORY

Learn more about most recent bargaining session
Jan. 13, 2006 - Log in to the MyOCSEA Bargaining website to view details about what took place at the bargaining table Jan. 10 - 12. Bargaining updates are available to members only. If you have not signed a union membership application yet, please contact Customer Service or complete the online request form now. FULL STORY

Arbitrators set new deadlines impacting three issues
Jan. 9, 2006 - Decisions were issued on three separate cases involving: the weather emergencies; the pay freezes; and the power outages. In each, the arbitrator gave the union a deadline. Impacted employees are encouraged to respond to union headquarters with the requested information before the deadlines. FULL STORY

Learn more about last bargaining session
Jan. 6, 2006 - Log in to the MyOCSEA Bargaining website to view details about what took place at the bargaining table Jan. 4 - 5. Bargaining updates are available to members only. If you have not signed a union membership application yet, please contact Customer Service or complete the online request form now. FULL STORY

 ELECTIONS 
AFSCME unions announce state treasurer endorsement
Jan. 4, 2006 - OCSEA and AFSCME United announced their endorsement of an Ohio Treasurer of State candidate today. Ohioans will elect a new state treasurer on Nov. 7, 2006. Log in to the members-only website for complete details. FULL STORY

Members continue to wear solidarity bracelets to support union team
Jan. 3, 2006 - As negotiators start the fifth round of bargaining this week, union members across the state continue to wear the green Union Power bracelets to show their support of the OCSEA team. FULL STORY