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OCSEA, management get bargaining underway

Nov. 30, 2005 - Recalling the words of Abraham Lincoln, OCSEA’s lead negotiator Andy Douglas kicked off negotiations yesterday for a new contract by reminding his management counterparts that state employees and taxpayers won’t remember what two sides say during negotiations but they “will never forget what we do here.”

Douglas (center in photo at right) told management’s team that the union only wanted what is fair and just for all stakeholders including taxpayers. “This is a new day with a new set of problems. We should always be mindful that what we put together, others - both labor and management – have to live with long after [the negotiators] are removed from the scene… It is my hope that history will be able to judge all of us in a favorable light."

Browse the photo gallery for an inside look at the bargaining table.

Union and state negotiators are working to come up with a new master contract that will replace the agreement set to expire March 1, 2006.

Speaking on behalf of the OCSEA Negotiating Team, Douglas described the negative effects caused by the State of Ohio’s financial problems in 2003 that led to freezes in wages, step increase and longevity in addition to overall reductions in staffing in vulnerable agencies.

Besides poorer service to taxpayers, these economic problems worsened working conditions for institutional workers, led to an outflow of experienced staff and increased tensions with management, said Douglas.

He also warned that state employees were disturbed by management’s increased use of part-time and temporary workers, a practice that has led to a loss of promotional opportunities and increased workloads. “One of our key objectives in these negotiations is to protect the integrity of our bargaining unit, and obtain commensurate wages and salaries.”

Gary Johnson, management’s spokesperson, indicated in his opening remarks that his side wanted changes that would allow more “flexibility” for management and lessen what they considered to be abuses of various leaves.

Besides negotiators’ opening comments, the first day of bargaining consisted of both sides doing an initial presentation of their bargaining positions, excluding health care. A comprehensive comparison of each side’s opening proposals will be made available at a latter date.

Health care proposals are being discussed in a special union-management subcommittee that will feed proposals to each of the two teams for talks scheduled at a later date.

Email Update Members who want to follow the progress of negotiations should be encouraged to provide a non-work email address by calling 614-865-4770, or toll free 800-266-5615, ext. 4770, or complete the web form.

The current contract expires on March 1, 2006.

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