News Archive
Your source on IT employment security and good government

Joint IT committee hosted focus group event on classification design
Aug. 22, 2008 - The Joint Information Technology Classification Committee hosted a large focus group on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the OCSEA Union Hall. Extensive notes were taken and a great deal of input was collected and will be considered as the committee wraps up the design. FULL STORY

Focus group feedback forms due Monday, Aug. 25
Aug. 22, 2008 - State employee IT workers who participated in the Aug. 20 focus group event are encouraged to complete and return the feedback form, if they have not already done so. Focus group participants should return the completed form by 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 25, to OCSEA's Sandi Friel at sfriel@ocsea.org.

Joint IT committee to host focus group; Participants randomly chosen
Aug. 8, 2008 - The IT Classification Committee will host a large focus group on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the OCSEA Union Hall. This joint committee's goal is to separately review the draft classifications and solicit feedback from randomly selected employees from multiple agencies and classifications. FULL STORY

IT workers encouraged to request worksite briefing, attend union meeting on Aug. 28
July 31, 2008 - State employees who work in Information Technology can get updates and ask questions about the classification project at union meetings at OCSEA headquarters or worksite briefings or lunchtime "brown bag" meetings. FULL STORY

Slide show describes joint reclassification review process, goals
June 26, 2008 - OCSEA and DAS have collaborated on the creation of a slide show to share information about the joint Information Technology Job Reclassification project. This presentation is for informational purposes and is intended to convey the purpose of the IT Classification project. However, this is not all inclusive of details to-date. FULL STORY

Classification project briefings set for July;
IT bargaining unit, exempt employees invited
June 21, 2008 - State employees who work in Information Technology can get updates and ask questions about the classification project at three upcoming sessions. FULL STORY

FAQ: Joint committee releases question-and-answer sheet on IT classification project
July 15, 2008 - As the joint Information Technology classification committee moves forward, it takes time to educate employees about the process and ask for feedback. A detailed list of questions and answers is now available to help address concerns of both bargaining unit and exempt employees. FULL STORY

Union participates in joint subcommittee to review IT classification system
May 20, 2008 - For years, OCSEA has advocated for better career ladders, more valued training opportunities, and a better link between what Information Technology bargaining unit employees do and their ─very outdated ─ job classifications. After agreeing last winter to the creation of a joint subcommittee, union and management representatives now are reviewing all IT classifications in all state agencies and developing a comprehensive proposal for a new system. FULL STORY

Labor, management agree to review IT classifications
Feb. 19, 2008 - The Office of Information Technology in conjunction with the Office of Classification and Compensation, the Office of Collective Bargaining and OCSEA is conducting an Information Technology classification review. FULL STORY

Subcommittee to review classifications, union examines knowledge transfer by contractors
Feb. 11, 2008 - The OCSEA IT Committee's next meeting has a full agenda and is set for Thursday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m. in the OCSEA Union Hall. The meeting time has changed: The new start time will be 4 p.m. at the OCSEA union hall. Please review January 2008 meeting notes (PDF) before the next meeting. At the next meeting, the committee will tackle two critical issues: Classification review and knowledge transfers from vendors. FULL STORY

Next meeting to focus on OAKS-related issues; Set for Thursday, June 28
June 25, 2007 - All union members interested in making an impact on issues that impact the state's information technology systems and the employees who deliver these services are invited to attend the monthly OCSEA IT Committee meetings. FULL STORY

Next meeting to focus on OAKS-related issues; Set for Thursday, May 24
May 23, 2007 - All union members interested in making an impact on issues that impact the state's information technology systems and the employees who deliver these services are invited to attend the monthly OCSEA IT Committee meetings. The next meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. at the OCSEA Union Hall at 390 Worthington Rd. in Westerville, just off of Polaris Parkway. In preparation, please review the special meeting notes (PDF) from the May 11 OAKS-related meeting and the April meeting notes (PDF).

Union to host OAKS-related informational meetings during lunch hours on Friday
May 8, 2007 - OCSEA will host informal informational meetings on Friday, May 11, regarding bargaining unit employees who are working on the OAKS project. 
FULL STORY

Ohio's Chief Information Officer met with committee
May 1, 2007 - The new Director of the Office of Information Technology, R. Steven Edmonson, attended the OCSEA IT Committee's April 26 meeting. He shared his new vision regarding IT in state government and details about the move of the Office of Information Technology to the Office of Budget and Management. FULL STORY

Review Strickland Agency Review Reports on OIT at March meeting
March 1, 2007 - Our next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on March 28 at the OCSEA Union Hall. The primary focus of this meeting's agenda will be the report given to Gov. Strickland on the Office of Information Technology. FULL STORY

Mark calendar for Sept. 26 meeting; Download OIT plan for your agency
Sept. 19, 2006 - The IT Forum meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 5:30 p.m.; OCSEA Headquarters, Westerville (Polaris) Map & Directions Please take time to download & review your agency's information technology plan before our meeting. You can easily locate the plan for your agency at http://www.oit.ohio.gov/IGD/planning/ITplans.aspx. If you want to invite other IT members to attend, they are very welcome. However, please contact Sandy Trout at strout@ocsea.org or 614-865-2614 to let her know you will be attending so we can make the proper arrangements.

Mark calendar for July 12 meeting
June 14, 2006 - Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 12, at the OCSEA Polaris Building at 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. FULL STORY

Read the latest news about the OAKS project
January 2006 - The article titled, "State Agencies Win with New OAKS Scorecard" can be found on the front page of the OAKS Web site.

Unionists to consider communication strategies to strengthen OAKS voice
Nov. 21, 2005 - The IT Forum will meet tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at OCSEA Headquarters, Westerville (Polaris). The agenda will include updates on the IT pilots and the OAKS project. The committee will also consider how to improve communication to and from the agency implementation teams (ATIs). Please RSVP to Sandy Trout, strout@ocsea.org or 614-865-2607, if you are attending so she knows how much Pizza to order and we know we will have enough folks for a meeting. Feel free to invite another interested member. Map & Directions

OIT management to meet with union
Oct. 14, 2005 (Tuesday) - The IT Forum will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at OCSEA Headquarters, Westerville (Polaris). We expect to have Mary Carol and/or Walter Callahan, her deputy speak to the committee at 5:30 p.m. The remainder of our meeting should be devoted to developments regarding our member skill assessment proposal and the OAKS agency transition teams. Map & Directions

Mark your calendar for Ohio Digital Government Summit
Sept. 14, 2005 - Designed for decision-making state and local government employees, the Ohio Digital Government Summit will offer topics on Technologies Digital Government Trends, Best Practices, and Cross-Jurisdictional Collaboration Policies and Standards. This event offers insight for union leaders who are working to protect IT services and members employed in information technology jobs. Full Story

Proposed legislation to impact state's information technology services, employees
Fall 2005 - The Electronic Government Services Act, HB 188 proposes government agencies to privatize e-commerce and related internet services that are currently performed by state and local agencies. The primary thrust of the legislation is to shift the provision of such services to the private sector using the rationale that government "unfairly" competes with the private sector and if the private sector can perform such services the presumption is that it should be contracted out. Full Story or Take Action

News Clip - While some jobs are going overseas, others just going

OAKS presentation drew crowd, questions at quality event
July 20, 2005 - A quality workshop, created to explain how the state will charter teams to help agencies design and use new technologies, drew many union members who wanted to learn more about the impact of OAKS. OAKS is an Enterprise Planning (ERP) System, a computer system that accomplishes administrative functions across an entire organization. The workshop was offered at the Pathways to Excellence event Tuesday, July 19, hosted at OCSEA headquarters. PRESENTATION

Register online for OAKS workshop at quality event
July 14, 2005 - For the first time, OCSEA will be the host of a Pathways to Excellence event. OCSEA is rolling out the red carpet to state employees on Tuesday, July 19, at OCSEA headquarters that day. Register for a workshop that will explain how OAKS will charter teams to help agencies design and use new technologies. OAKS is an Enterprise Planning (ERP) System, a computer system that accomplishes administrative functions across an entire organization. Full Story

Proposed legislation to impact state's information technology services, employees
June 3, 2005 - The Electronic Government Services Act, HB 188 proposes government agencies to privatize e-commerce and related internet services that are currently performed by state and local agencies. The primary thrust of the legislation is to shift the provision of such services to the private sector using the rationale that government “unfairly” competes with the private sector and if the private sector can perform such services the presumption is that it should be contracted out. Full Story or Take Action

HB 188 Analysis - OCSEA examines impact of legislation on government services (PDF)

Mark your calendar for March 24 meeting
March 21, 2005 - IT Forum meeting, 5:30 p.m. at OCSEA headquarters; Participants will discuss hosting brown bag lunches, review the IT Competency Profile, and address the March 31 "Keeping Pace with Societal Change Through Mobile Technologies" Conference.

Register for information technology conference
March 21, 2005 - The Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) has approved the OCSEA IT committee to attend the "Keeping Pace with Societal Change Through Mobile Technologies" Conference. The key speaker is from Governing Magazine. OCB has approved time under joint labor-management time for your attendance at the March 31 event. Committee members who are interested can make registration at 800-940-6039 ext. 355. If you wish to go using L/M time please register, notify the appropriate person(s) and contact Sandy Trout by Wednesday, March 23 at 3 p.m. so we can formally notify OCB of who will be attending.

Next meeting set, January minutes online
Feb. 14, 2005- The IT Forum will meet at OCSEA Headquarters on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. A subcommittee met on Monday, Feb. 1. January Minutes

Privateers eye government specialty work, expect more contracts
Jan. 4, 2005 - Federal spending on contractors is expected to grow more quickly than it has historically, though not quite at the booming pace of the three years after Sept. 11, 2001. And the growth will likely be uneven, with contractors that specialize in technology services growing the most in 2005, according to experts. Full Story

Get a glimpse of union work on IT issues
Dec. 20, 2004 - The IT Forum meeting notes are available online for the Dec. 15 meeting. The group of activists and staff covered three hot topics at the last meeting. The next meeting is set for Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m. Full Story

Government Technology magazine article details privatization growth
Dec. 16, 2004 - Corporations on U.S. soil and abroad have been securing increasingly more government contracts during the last seven years. What used to be initiated on a pilot-project basis or on a small-scale level has become much more common-place in the eyes of legislators and government managers. Full Story

Kerry delivers plan to protect high-tech jobs from exportation
Oct. 27, 2004 - Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry released a report today outlining his plan to combat the new trend of white collar service work moving overseas. In the report, he called services offshoring a "threat to the U.S. innovation economy." Full Story

Meeting cancelled, rescheduled
Oct. 26, 2004 - The IT Forum will meet at OCSEA Headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m. This new meeting date replaces the one that was scheduled for Oct. 27, but cancelled due to GOTV activities.

State officials award large OAKS contract to PeopleSoft Inc.; Project given green light
Oct. 7, 2004 - The Ohio Administrative Knowledge System (OAKS) on-off-on-again project clearly has been turned back on by the Office of Information Technology. Last week, an $11.6 million contract was awarded to PeopleSoft for software and maintenance to drive the system. Full Story

Washington officials replace laid-off IT employees with higher- priced consultants, costing taxpayers more
Sept. 29, 2004 - Though Washington's governor, Jim Doyle, said he would save money by replacing laid-off state IT workers with private consultants, he's actually costing taxpayers $3.17 more per hour. Obviously, his privatization plan didn't add up correctly, contends the Wisconsin Professional Employees Council. Full Story

Ohio consolidates e-mail servers; State to offer displaced workers training
Sept. 28, 2004 - In a recent front page article published in COMPUTERWORLD, Greg Jackson, CIO, said the Office of Information Technology's email server consolidation initiative would save Ohio money since the number of staff needed will decrease. A retraining program has been initiated to offer displaced IT workers the opportunity to learn new skills in the applications development field. Currently, the state has 49 e-mail servers supported by 44 systems administrators. Full Story

Check out privatization magazine; Editors wonder if America can 'learn to love privatization'
Sept. 23, 2004 - For the last decade, the concept of privatizing public services had been growing and more recently politicians had been boarding the offshoring privatization boat. But according to a recent edition of a privatization think tank's magazine, many state governments are are jumping ship. The scary thing is that privatization advocates are now trying to figure out how to change their sales pitch to increase public support for sending government work overseas. Check out the editorial on page 2. PRIVATIZATION WATCH MAGAZINE

Bush keeps promise to support privatization of government services
Sept. 23, 2004 - Privatization of government services is not a new campaign pitch. In early 2000, George Bush pledged to push e-government and privatization of public services. His administration received help and advice from former director at the Reason Foundation, a pro-privatization think tank, and former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith. Over the last four years the U.S. has seen an increase in privatization of government services. Take a look at a April 21, 2000, article titled: Bush pushes e-government, privatization. Consider what you've experienced or seen happening in other states. Full Story

Community partners develop action plans to stop outsourcing Ohio jobs; Participate in regional forums in Canton, Chillicothe, Mansfield and Marion
Aug. 26, 2004 - Does international trade impact OCSEA members and the government services they deliver? You bet. Over the past decade, poorly-crafted international trade agreements have exacted a terrible price from workers and our communities, reaching into the public sector, too. Full Story

ACTION ALERT
Support legislation to stop offshoring of American jobs, protect personal info
April 16, 2004 - Please join OCSEA in supporting a new bill by State Representative Jim Trakas that would limit state and local government involvement with sending jobs out of the country. Dubbed the Ohio Jobs First Act, the Trakas measure would also provide the first set of Ohio consumer protections related to offshoring. Take Action

Union announces support for Trakas’ "Ohio Jobs First " offshoring bill
April 7, 2004 - OCSEA leaders said today at a news conference that the union strongly supports a new bill by State Representative Jim Trakas that would limit state and local government involvement with sending jobs out of the country. Dubbed the Ohio Jobs First bill, the Trakas measure would also provide the first set of Ohio consumer protections related to offshoring. full story

Chief of Information Technology shares key factors, intentions
April 7, 2004 - Greg Jackson, newly named Chief of Information Technology, acknowledges that Ohio is as big as one of the top Fortune 50 companies in the U.S. And, likewise, he told the OCSEA IT Committee at a Feb. 17 meeting, the State of Ohio also needs to manage its IT resources in a competitive and efficient way. Full Story

OCSEA IT committee hosts chat April 21
April 2, 2004 - The OCSEA IT committee will host an IT chat with other OCSEA members in IT classifications Wednesday, April 21, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Concerns about the establishment of the newly-created Office of Information Technology will be discussed. Members of the OCSEA IT committee will be on hand to share their ideas about the joint process that the union is trying to engage in with management on IT career ladders, classifications, compensation, skill sets, training and other issues related to these classes.  Full Story

Michigan newspaper reports on efforts to pump up IT job market
March 21, 2004 - While the demand for tech jobs is sagging in Michigan, politicians and business people are not giving up. Interestingly, Michigan's information technology job loss has not been as bad as nationwide numbers. Full Story

News about offshoring trends, failures reported
March 20, 2004 - One in four IT jobs are headed East to Asia over the next five to six years, say experts. However, one major "Offshoring Failure" has been predicted for 2004. Full Story