The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association
Union News / DECEMBER 7, 2022
Kings island winterfest discount tickets are here
Voted as one of the top Theme Park Holiday Events in the country, King's Island Winterfest is back, and OCSEA members can get discount tickets.* WinterFest is an unforgettable holiday experience where Kings Island transforms into 11 enchanting winter wonderlands. The annual event features ice skating on the Royal Fountain, the Eiffel Tower turned into a magical Christmas tree, the WinterFest Wonderland Parade, more than five million lights and live entertainment throughout the park. Plus, experience up to 20 rides including Mystic Timbers and Kings Mills Antique Autos. Cincinnati’s premier holiday event is open select nights through December.
Username: KIAFSCME | Password: KINGSISLAND
*Offers subject to change.
Visit OCSEA.org/EXTRAS for all up-to-date member-only discounts and offers.
Discount benefit update: Zoo Wildlights
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights daily discount tickets are now $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for children and seniors and are still available through the end of the season. Those tickets can be purchased HERE using the following: Username: CIVIL | Password: OCSEA11
Take action to protect Ohio's citizen-led ballot initiatives
OCSEA and all Ohio’s unions took to the streets 11 years ago to stop Senate Bill 5 that would have stripped away our union rights. That citizen-led veto initiative allowed us to go directly to voters to stop the damaging legislation in its tracks. Now Secretary of State Frank LaRose and other politicians are trying to make it virtually impossible for us to ever pass citizens-led ballot initiatives again! We can’t let them do that. Take action now!
Nearly 150 Ohio organizations, including OCSEA, the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters, SEIU 1199 and the Ohio Nurses Association, have signed a letter to oppose the measure, named House Joint Resolution 6 (HJR6), because it’s unfair, undemocratic and will silence the voices of everyday voters. The groups will hold a major event and press conference on Tuesday, December 13. With enough pressure, we can end this attack on Ohio democracy once and for all.
The HJR6 proposal would require citizen-led ballot initiatives pass by 60 percent not a simple majority of 50 +1 votes, which is the case now. This would have a chilling effect on any citizen-led ballot initiatives going forward. We can't let that happen!
Tell SOS Frank LaRose and your State Representative to protect and respect your voting rights!
we're halfway through the ocsea 12 Days of Christmas celebration AND giveaway
As you probably already are aware, OCSEA is doing the 12 Days of Christmas union-style! If you’re an OCSEA member, you are automatically entered into the daily drawings for some really great prizes. One OCSEA member's name is drawn each day through December 12. No entry is required! All you have to be is an OCSEA active member in good standing. An email will be sent out to all members with the winner’s name, so check your email daily. The winners will be contacted directly. Visit OCSEA.org/12DaysofChristmas for the winner list and more on the benefits of being union.
AShtabula Chapter park employees give back to local school children
OCSEA chapters continue to do their part to make the holidays bright for their communities. This includes Ashtabula Chapter 400 Ohio Department of Natural Resources union members who are taking care of the youngest members of our communities.
Recently bargaining unit staff at Pymatuning Park (top left photo) donated over 300 hats and gloves to local elementary school children. This was an exclusive effort by park staff, says chapter leader and park employee Betsy Overly. The chapter also donated $400 to Grand Valley Elementary School's Mustang Stable project. The Mustang Stable is Grand Valley’s community resource room, which provides resources, opportunities, and hope to students, families, and community, says school leaders. In the bottom photo, left rear, is Chapter 400 E-board members: Theresa Coder, Betsy Overly, Connie Alexander and Kelly Hudnall, with teacher program committee member, Kayla Reubel, (left) and Principal Delilarose Marroquin (right).
"The [school] staff's surprise and gratitude had all of us a bit misty eyed, and we walked out of that school with full hearts and a whole lot of joy," said Betsy.
What's your chapter's charitable plan for the holiday season? We'd love to hear about it and tell the world! Share your Labor Gives Back story and photos at laborgivesback@ocsea.org. Don't forget to tag @OCSEA on social media with hashtags #LaborGivesBack and #OCSEA. Need help promoting your charitable event or want coverage for a union story? We can help with that too!
Public employees continue fight to repeal windfall elimination in lame duck
As we approach the end of the year, AFSCME and OCSEA continue to work on repealing the Social Security Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) with the passage of the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act. The Senate version, Senate 1302, is sponsored by Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. For the U.S House version, thanks to public union member lobbying efforts, there are 305 bipartisan sponsors. In November, Ohio House Representative Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) introduced a House Concurrent Resolution to urge Congress to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision. For the first time ever, a vote was taken on a repeal of the GPO & WEP and has moved out of Committee.
For the last 40 years, OCSEA and AFSCME retirees have been fighting to try to change the GPO and WEP that prevents employees with a public pension (and their survivors) from collecting their full Social Security from jobs outside of public employment upon retirement.
The goal is to get these punishing provisions eliminated before the start of the new Congressional session next year. OCSEA and AFSCME will be keeping an eye on this resolution and any movement in Congress on this issue. Watch this space for more information.
To send an email to your Representative and Senator, click HERE. Ask them to support the Social Security Fairness Act and repeal the unfair GPO and WEP.
If this is not passed in the lame duck session, we will take the momentum we have generated this year and start immediately fighting for a repeal in 2023.