News Archive 2007
Providing union news and resources to OCSEA members

OCSEA's News Center includes links to recent features from the current year and archives from 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004.

Dec. 2007 - OCSEA posts staff representative opening

Dec. 26, 2007 - UET login page down Jan. 11 for ID conversion

Dec. 19, 2007 - Sign up for degree program at labor college

Dec. 19, 2007 - State corrects Dec. 8 payroll sick leave accrual; Double check ePay.

Dec. 19, 2007 - OCSEA President Parks elected to OPERS board

Dec. 19, 2007 - Board meeting minutes updated for members only

Dec. 18, 2007 - Video: Steve Wall talks ART to Union Quality Network

Dec. 18, 2007 - UET tackles retirement in January; Register now

Dec. 18, 2007 - OAKS chokes on sick leave accruals for pay period ending Dec. 8

Dec. 18, 2007 - Sick leave accrual dips last pay day of year

Dec. 18, 2007 - Two AFSCME scholarship deadlines this month

Dec. 18, 2007 - Updated UBBN materials mailed

Dec. 3, 2007 - Strickland reports back to Faith Vote Columbus group

Nov. 30, 2007 - Quality activists move forward with Agency Review Team training

Nov. 28, 2007 - Union leaders invited to preview ODOT's new 2008- 2009 business plan

Nov. 22, 2007 - UBBN updated Nov. 21

Nov. 19, 20067 - OCSEA urges legislators to support veterans' agency with conditions on ODJFS

Nov. 19, 2007 - Sign up for degree program at labor college

Nov. 16, 2007 - House fails to override Bush-Veto of domestic spending bill

Nov. 15, 2007 - New fundraising policy won't impact Combined Charitable Campaign

Nov. 15, 2007 - OCSEA offers Purchasing Power's computer program

Nov. 13, 2007 - AFSCME launches new matching fund program to give back to our veterans

Nov. 13, 2007 - Bush delivers on promise to veto Labor-HHS-Education spending bill

Nov. 9, 2007 - Union quality leaders met to discuss new initiative

Nov. 7, 2007 - View Pathways photos, presentation materials

Nov. 7, 2007 - New processes set in place to help improve Ohio

Nov. 7, 2007 - Urge passage of Labor-HHS-Education / Vets bill with veto-proof majority to cancel Bush; Call Congress one more time

Nov. 5, 2007 - "Keep It Made in America" townhall meeting set

Nov. 5, 2007 - CALL CONGRESS TODAY:
Urge passage of Labor-HHS-Education bill with veto-proof majority

Nov. 1, 2007 - Enroll in flexible spending account by Nov. 30

Nov. 1, 2007 - Parks led late-October planning meeting

Nov. 1, 2007 - Mark your calendar for 2008 events, meetings

Nov. 1, 2007 - Don't forget to check November calendar

Oct. 31, 2007 - AFSCME announces presidential endorsement of Hillary Clinton

Oct. 29, 2007 - Cast your vote on Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 6

Oct. 26, 2007 - Anti-privatization win secured related to expansion of state trade, unemployment programs

Oct. 26, 2007 - Pathways to Excellence set for Tuesday, Nov. 6; Mark your calendar for 2008 events, meetings

Oct. 26, 2007 - AFSCME members' calls key to gaining more support for Labor-HHS-Education Spending Bill

Oct. 18, 2007 - Download Oct. 19 UBBN materials now

Oct. 18, 2007 - Know a hero? Nominate a member for outstanding community service

Oct. 18, 2007 - Union helps members protect home before financial disaster hits

Oct. 18, 2007 - Order Cleveland Cavaliers tickets now through April 3

Oct. 13, 2007 - Union seeks input on new veterans state agency

Oct. 11, 2007 - Stretch your dollars;
Enroll Nov. 5 - 30 in flexible spending account!

Oct. 11, 2007 - New health and wellness program rolls out Nov. 1

Oct. 11, 2007 - Register to vote, and vote early

Oct. 11, 2007 - UET sets pre-retirement training for Jan. 11 - 12

Oct. 2, 2007 - Steward skill honored at conference; 250 attend

Sept. 28, 2007 - Parks sets late-October leadership meeting

Sept. 14, 2007 - Assembly award savings bonds at Roadeo

Sept. 13, 2007 - Union seeks input on new veterans state agency

Sept. 28, 2007 - Members-only board minutes page updated

September 2007 - Union Leaders of Future Scholarship applications postmarked by Sept. 29

Sept. 27, 2007 - UET postpones October pre-retirement training; Future session TBA

Sept. 20, 2007 - Power-packed agenda planned for first Steward Conference on Sept. 29

Sept. 20, 2007 - Submit meeting, election notices for magazine by Sept. 24 deadline

Sept. 17, 2007 - DRC assembly president remembers fallen union officers at D.C. event

Sept. 14, 2007 - ODOT Assembly presents awards to Roadeo winners

Sept. 13, 2007 - Apple discounts updated

Sept. 12, 2007 - New regional benefits staff helps leaders promote members-only benefits

Sept. 12, 2007 - UET pre-retirement training set for Oct. 26 - 27

Sept. 12, 2007 - Subordinate bodies consider HPI entries

Sept. 12, 2007 - Union Leaders of Future Scholarship applications postmarked by Sept. 29

Sept. 11, 2007 - Grievance Form now activated with text fields

Sept. 11, 2007 - Download revised union release time form

Sept. 11, 2007 - New wellness program introduced at upcoming meetings statewide

Aug. 24, 2007 - Parks tapped as new union president

Aug. 23 - 25, 2007 - Convention Video Clips

Aug. 23 - 25, 2007 - Convention Photo Albums

Aug. 23 - 25, 2007 - Convention newsletters

Aug. 14, 2007 - Vote YES for new positions in ODNR; OCSEA must receive ballots by Aug. 20

Aug. 9, 2007 - Grievance form gets two useful updates

Aug. 9, 2007 - Various workshop topics offered from benefits to finances to quality

Aug. 8, 2007 - Got a question or an opinion? Contact your elected delegates

Aug. 7, 2007 - State to make two more OAKS corrections

Aug. 6, 2007 - Calling all younger workers; Union offers forum, updates

Aug. 3, 2007 -
ODOT District 5 reviews quality progress, maps out future paths

Aug. 3, 2007 - Get credit for vacation, longevity based on Ohio National Guard time served

July 30, 2007 - Benefit deduction make-up payments to appear on Aug. 3 pay checks

July 27, 2007 - Career Improvement Program benefit dollars increased by UET

July 27, 2007 - Stewards study arbitration process during intensive, hands-on academy

July 27, 2007 -
Photo Album: July 15 - 20 Steward Academy

July 26, 2007 - Photo ID required to vote; New touch screens to improve process

July 26, 2007 - ODNR agreement would increase union positions; Cast your vote by Aug. 20

July 26, 2007 - Latest OAKS glitches impact longevity pay, health care deductions

July 26, 2007 - Get credit for vacation, longevity based on Ohio National Guard time served

July 25, 2007 - CBTU breakfast set for this Saturday in Columbus

July 25, 2007 - ID theft protection offered for deaf community

July 20, 2007 - Check pay stub for OAKS problems with deductions

July 18, 2007 - Union hosted Pathways to Excellence; Strickland's accountability plan shared

July 18, 2007 - BWC Chapter 1810 hosted successful legislative tour at Garfield Heights office

July 17, 2007 - OCSEA leaders endorse Ohio Healthy Families Act

July 16, 2007 - Trade "blue bird" plate for union-designed plate

July 16, 2007 - Cleveland-area BWC employees to host legislator walk-thru

July 13, 2007 - Need your stories on healthy lifestyle, wellness for educational video

July 13, 2007 - Photo I.D. required to vote for officers at convention

July 12, 2007 - Union members picket outside of Lorain prison, earn media attention

July 11, 2007 - Find out how to move health and safety forward

July 11, 2007 - State offers stolen data update, new lookup tool

July 10, 2007 - Steward event set for Sept. 29 in Columbus; Features new recognition program

July 3, 2007 - New pharmacy benefits manager offers more choices, register now

July 2, 2007 - Gov. Ted Strickland signs budget bill

July 2, 2007 - OCSEA wins historic MR community program

July 2, 2007 - Blue Ribbon Commission stalled by budget process, but union continues fight

July 2, 2007 - Union-negotiated 3.5 % pay raise kicks in July 1 pay period

July 2, 2007 - Strategic planning process gaining momentum

July 2, 2007 - Order union-designed license plates to support Ohio State Parks

June 27, 2007 - Media covers Wednesday's union picket at Mt. Vernon Developmental Center

June 26, 2007 - Sandusky media covers Tuesday picket highlighting cuts at Veterans’ Home

June 26, 2007 - Registration closed for July 18 quality event

June 25, 2007 - Learn more about AFSCME Presidential Forum

June 25, 2007 - Sandusky Picket: Program reductions at Ohio Veterans’ Home hurt

June 25, 2007 - Union leaders deliver 5,000 postcards on EFCA to Sen. Voinovich in D.C.

June 20, 2007 - Activists continue advocacy as budget bill moves to conference committee

June 19, 2007 - Statewide officer candidate statements due June 25

June 14, 2007 - ELECTIONS ALERT:
Exec. Director's sends letter to Board of Directors, all candidates for board regarding election process

June 14, 2007 - Treasurer offers financial empowerment courses

June, 2007 TODAY: Noon rally at statehouse to support union choice (EFCA)

June 14, 2007 - Toledo Zoo coupon now available for download

June 12, 2007 - Support state parks, sport union-designed plates

June 5, 2007 - OCSEA calls on General Assembly to reject pension divestment bill

June 5, 2007 - Union activists successful: Senate's budget includes state-operated MRDD pilot

June 5, 2007 - Legislators listened intently to union's concerns about state-operated MR pilot

June 4, 2007 - Rally at statehouse to support union choice (EFCA)

June 4, 2007 - Download AFSCME Summer Fun Coupons for members

June 4, 2007 - Elections-by-mail for Board of Directors' seats; Complete, return ballot

June 2007 - Apple discount for iPods

May 30, 2007 - Help secure MRDD pilot via state budget amendment

May 23, 2007 - OPERS for retirement, not foreign policy

May 22, 2007 - OCSEA launches union choice postcard drive; WAC gets signees

May 22, 2007 - Need officer candidate statements by June 25

May 21, 2007 - First Lady Strickland entertains WAC conferees

May 16, 2007 - UET increases career improvement benefits

May 16, 2007 - OCSEA Extras: Newport Aquarium discount added

May 16, 2007 - OCSEA mourns loss of a Chapter VP, Ed Henderson

May 15, 2007 - Register for next Pathways to Excellence event

May 15, 2007 - First Lady of Ohio to speak at WAC event held May 18 - 20

May 11, 2007 - Governor talks quality at TeamUp ODOT Event

May 10, 2007 - WAC Agenda finalized; First Lady of Ohio Frances Strickland to address union women

May 9, 2007 - Subordinate body presidents get board update from president

May 9, 2007 - Workers' Comp Ombuds Office offers help

May 8, 2007 - House budget gets unanimous yes: 97-0

May 8, 2007 - Union to host OAKS-related meetings during lunch hours on Friday

May 3, 2007 - Vocal talent needed for OCSEA's convention

May 3, 2007 - L-M agreement fixes OAKS-related comp time glitch

May 1, 2007 - Ohio's Chief Information Officer met with union

April 30, 2007 - Exec. Dir. Andy Douglas talks quality at the April union event in Columbus

April 27, 2007 - Members to vote on board of directors seats; Request nomination kits by May 1

April 27, 2007 - House substitute budget released: Keeps much of governor's plan, but adds prison privatization rule

April 26, 2007 - Email, fax forms to union to accelerate removal grievances

April 26, 2007 - Stewards Academy applications reopen

April 23, 2007 - Six HPI Awards presented at BUP 7 last weekend

April 23, 2007 - Budget plan to improve coordination of IT system

April 20, 2007 - Workshops, speakers support theme of Building Union Power 7

April 19, 2007 - OAKS: L-M agreement to fix personal leave glitch

April 19, 2007 - UBBNS for April - Les Best, CEO Pay and AFSCME's eAcademy

April 19, 2007 - Chief Information Officer to attend union meeting

April 18, 2007 - Hearings, union testimony continue in House with three OCSEA Assembly Presidents

April 17, 2007 - Register for summer member, leader courses

April 13, 2007 - RSC leader makes plea to legislators

April 12, 2007 - MR Budget: State workers key to state-operated community services

April 12, 2007 - DYS Budget: Leader says more staff, training needed

April 11, 2007 - Friday Night at the Movies returns to BUP event

April 7, 2007 - Register for summer member, leader courses

April 5, 2007 - Chief Information Officer to attend union meeting

April 5, 2007 - OAKS Alert - New extended e-pay hours announced

April 5, 2007 - Union steward says more needed for ODNR budget

April 4, 2007 - DRC assembly president offers legislative testimony

March 30, 2007 - Convention: Campaign lit memo, forms mailed out

March 28, 2007 - Ohio AFL-CIO hosts May 8 - 9 legislative conference

March 28, 2007 - May 10 Team Up ODOT to share, recognize results

March 27, 2007 - MRDD: GDC hosts Rep. Stewart, finance chair

March 15, 2007 - Union studies Strickland's budget plans, impact

March 14, 2007 - Bush budget wrong for Ohio; Sign Petition

March 14, 2007 - Urge Senate to approve Employee Free Choice Act

March 8 - 9, 2007 - Photo Gallery - Check out photos of speakers and leaders

March 8 - 9, 2007 - Strickland cabinet members, legislator, policy expert address leadership

March 9, 2007 - Training Day 2 - Speakers talk messaging, impact of federal cuts

March 8, 2007 - Training Day 1 - Tax Commissioner Rich Levin addressed OCSEA leaders

March 8, 2007 - Training Day 1 - OBM Director Pari Sabety: Money savings explored

March 8, 2007 - Training Day 1 - Senior Policy Analyst, John Corlett describes budget process

March 8, 2007 - Training Day 1 - Rep. Scott Oelslager talks to leaders about talking to legislators

March 7, 2007 (updated) - Gov. Strickland Video: Providing valued services in state government important work

March 5, 2007 - MR/DD lawsuit finally over

March 2, 2007 - Submit meeting notices online for magazine

March 1, 2007 - Reserve hotel for BUP event by March 22

March 2007 - AFSCME introduced its new magazine, AFSCME Works! this month. Check it out, and get involved through the publication's new member-driven features: Ask AFSCME, Talk Back, Privatization Watch, and Letter to the Editor.

Feb. 28, 2007 - WAC conference to focus on personal finances

Feb. 28, 2007 - MRDD: Budget fight begins with Warrensville tour

Feb. 26, 2007 - Horizon Award recipient serves homeless, mentors young people

Feb. 26, 2007 - Committee collected, donated used cell phones to women's shelter

Feb. 22, 2007 - State budget crisis on horizon; Union prepares

Feb. 22, 2007 - OCSEA Biennial Convention Call Sent (PDF)

Feb. 22, 2007 - OCB provides FAQ to help address weather emergency questions

Feb. 21, 2007 - AFSCME's Wednesday presidential to air on TV

Feb. 21, 2007 - OCB provides FAQ to help address weather emergency questions

Feb. 21, 2007 - New Directions newsletter (Feb. 23 issue) for activists published online (PDF)

Feb. 20, 2007- Weather emergency declared in some counties

Feb. 16, 2007 - OCSEA members’ letters, phone calls help stop USDOL privatization attempt

Feb. 15, 2007 - Strickland encourages quality activists; Speaker shares reinvention experiences

Feb. 14, 2007 - DAS provides clarification on procedures related to weather emergency

Feb. 14, 2007 (1 p.m.) - Weather emergency situation updated, effective until 5 p.m. today

Feb. 14, 2007 (9:23 a.m.) - Two-hour delay on Wednesday morning for state offices; Weather emergency message reported by media

Feb. 14, 2007 (8:30 a.m.) - OCSEA headquarters closed Wednesday; Check out winter weather safety tips

Feb. 14, 2007 (8:05 a.m.) - OCSEA Blog reports office closing

Feb. 13, 2007 (12:30 p.m.) - Union secures update on weather situation; Stay tuned

Feb. 13, 2007 - Cleveland Cavalier ticket discount back for members | Download Form

Feb. 13, 2007 - Mark your calendar for two women's events

Feb. 12, 2007 - Help AFL-CIO identify union members who hold elected office

Feb. 09, 2007 - MRDD: Latest 'Martin' proposal could impact budget

Feb. 5 and 6, 2007 - Activists’ efforts payoff in One-Stop privatization threat

Jan. 31, 2007 - Fisher: Strong labor-management partnership key to TurnAround Ohio

Jan. 31, 2007 - Several OAKS issues identified, resolved

Jan. 31, 2007 - ODNR members hosted briefing to prepare legislators on budget

Jan. 25, 2007 - Strickland makes agency leadership changes

Jan. 19, 2007 - Email union with OAKS concerns, problems

Jan. 18, 2007 - Register now for February event; Keynote speaker to address TurnAround Ohio plan

Jan. 16, 2007 - FULL STORY: Federal revisions threaten state employment service staff, pave way for more privatization

Jan. 16, 2007 - TALKING POINTS: Federal revisions threaten state employment service staff, pave way for more privatization

Jan. 8, 2007 - Columbus-area Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) honors two OCSEA leaders at annual MLK event

Jan. 8, 2007 - Gov. Ted Strickland takes oath of office

Jan. 3, 2007 - Request application for Les Best Scholarship - College and Vocational

Jan. 3, 2007 - Patricia Callanan-Castro Memorial Book Scholarship for members offered for first time

Jan. 3, 2007 - Mark your 2007 calendar for union events

Jan. 3, 2007 - Legislators end lame-duck session with language to cripple union PACs; New session underway

Jan. 2, 2007 - Presidential observance does not impact state employees