OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / FEBRUARY 25 2026
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OCSEA Leadership Training grows to include more union activists
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More than 50 union leaders and activists attended the first OCSEA Leadership Training of 2026. This year the training has expanded to include not only chapter leaders but also union stewards who go through three days of learning, networking and team building.
“I think this was one of our best leadership trainings so far,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe. “This group was very engaged and excited to learn about the challenges and opportunities we face as a union, and they took home knowledge that will help them become stronger leaders.”
The training covers a wide range of topics including the state budget, the nuts and bolts of running a successful chapter and recent attacks on union members who work for the federal government. Yessica Garcia, a training coordinator for ODJFS in the Office of Workforce Development and a member of Erie/Huron Chapter 2201, says attending the conference was one of the best decisions that she’s ever made. “I’m meeting a lot of my brothers and sisters in the union, and it’s a good networking opportunity,” said Garcia.
With negotiations on a new state contract beginning later this year, the leaders and stewards discussed their priorities for negotiations while knowing a lot depends on who becomes Ohio’s next governor. Bryan Weaver, the President of Montgomery Chapter 5700 and an infrastructure Specialist 2 with Public Safety/Ohio State Highway Patrol, says it’s one of the most consequential elections we will face because it is bigger than state workers. Weaver is especially concerned about what will happen if Vivek Ramaswamy is elected governor. “I was always told as a kid that a rising tide lifts all ships. If we have an elected leader who is only concerned about the biggest ships in the water and is OK with other people running aground, then we are going to fail not only as a state but also as a nation,” said Weaver.
Three more leadership trainings are scheduled for later this year. Leaders and stewards who are interested in attending one of the trainings are encouraged to reach out to OCSEA’s Member Resource Center (MRC) for more information at MRC@ocsea.org or 888-627-3211 (888-OCSEA-11).
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Yessica Garcia, Erie/Huron Chap. 2100 Secretary
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Bryan Weaver, Montgomery Chap. 5700 President
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Download winter union magazine
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Download the winter 2026 edition of the union magazine, the Public Employee Magazine, at OCSEA.org/PEM. Read about the OCSEA leaders and activists who are making a difference in public service and hear from activists about what's at stake as we head toward November's Governor election. Plus much more!
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You might have noticed something different on the front cover of this magazine. The name has changed to Public Employee Magazine (PEM) to better reflect the publication schedule for a magazine you receive three times a year. Nothing else has changed—we remain committed to keeping our members informed through social media, weekly electronic newsletters, YouTube videos and our magazine.
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Magazine spotlight: Honoring service to veterans in recent union publication
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In the recent edition of the union magazine, The Public Employee Magazine (PEM), OCSEA honored two of its very best as it focused in on the union's annual veterans awards.
The OCSEA Larry Cremeens Veteran of the Year award winner was Carrington Melton of ODJFS Chapter 2599. Melton served in the U.S. Army for 16 years, with two deployments—Desert Storm & Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Carrington is a member of Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services Chapter 2599 in the Office of Workforce Development where he is a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist. He is also very involved with veterans' issues in his community.
OCSEA's Veteran Supporter of the Year was Tyler Evans, Vice President of Ohio State Penitentiary Chapter 5041. Tyler was nominated by his chapter president, Stephanie Behnke. An 8-year Correction Officer at OSP, Officer Evans has turned a personal tragedy into an annual event to help veterans who are struggling and in crisis. He channeled his grief of a fallen serviceman and friend into the Justin R. House Annual Softball Tournament to bring awareness and raise funds to stop veteran suicides.
You can read their full story and watch a video about the awards and the 2025 OCSEA Veterans Committee Conference at OCSEA.org/PEM. The video is also available on OCSEA's YouTube channel.
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OCSEA Veteran of the Year, Carrington Melton
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OCSEA Veteran Supporter of the Year, Tyler Evans
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UET spotlight: Education benefits come at "right time and right place" for member
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“The UET came at the perfect time,” says Curtis Bishop reflecting on the union education benefits that have helped him and other OCSEA members afford their post-secondary education and training opportunities. Curtis, who has been a Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW) and member of Northcoast Behavorial Health Care Chapter 7715 for two years, says his financial aid for college had just run out when he found out about the Union Education Trust (UET).
When asked what the UET means to him, he responded, “It means a lot to me, everything to me. It was a blessing. And it turned out at the right time that I needed it. I wished I found it on the first day!” he said. “The UET is there for union members who need it, especially people who don’t qualify for financial aid,” he said. Read Curtis' story in the winter 2026 edition of OCSEA's Public Employee Magazine (PEM).
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Curtis Bishop, Chapter 7715, Ohio Department of Behavioral Health
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Want to learn more about UET?
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Join online UET forum tomorrow
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Join the next quarterly UET Open Forum Online via Zoom tomorrow, Thursday, February 26, from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. This FREE online event will help you get your questions answered and gain new knowledge about using your UET benefits.
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CMCA registration deadline is Sunday March 1
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The registration deadline for the upcoming OCSEA annual Minority and Community Affairs Committee (CMCA) Conference is THIS Sunday, March 1.
The CMCA conference will take place on Saturday, March 7 at The Embassy Suites, 5800 Rockside Woods Rd., Independence, Ohio 44131, with a pre-conference social event, contract trainings and early conference check-in on Friday, March 6.
This includes two training options: Basic Steward Training OR Advanced Steward Training. Registration for the trainings is now open but has limited spots, so register immediately. Additionally, the "Boots on the Ground" Reception with line dancing will be held from 7:30-9:00 p.m. on Friday evening at the hotel.
Get all conference deadlines, training registration links, the tentative agenda, speaker bios and MORE at OCSEA.org/CMCA.
PLEASE NOTE: Hotel reservations at the conference block rate are now closed. Contact the hotel directly for room options or nearby hotels.
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CC: OCSEA Board and Staff
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Disclaimer: If you are receiving this email at a State of Ohio work email address, please note that your State email is on file with the union per your request. We highly recommend that you update your personal email address with OCSEA as soon as possible. Update your personal email HERE or log on to your MyOCSEA account to view your profile. Haven't created your MyOCSEA account yet? Create one HERE.
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