OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / February 5, 2025

In an Executive Order released by Gov. Mike DeWine yesterday, the administration announced a change to remote and hybrid work for state employees.

The union is reviewing the Executive Order and working closely with OCSEA staff and union leaders in every agency. Under the 2024-2027 OCSEA contract ratified last summer, a third-party Fact Finder ruled that telework is a mandatory subject of bargaining. Article 13.17 requires management to provide a detailed written reason for the termination of an approved telework, remote or hybrid schedule arrangement in advance. Articles 44.01 and 13.06 also give state employees additional protections.

Even Governor DeWine concedes that his executive order does not supersede collective bargaining agreements. In fact, the Governor’s executive order said, “Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to abridge any collective bargaining contract.” OCSEA will insist that the state follow all the articles in the state contract.

Theunion released a media statement yesterday after the abrupt announcement reminding the public that "everyone should know how telework has benefited not only state employees but the citizens of Ohio." Remote work has cut costs by reducing expenses for office space, utilities, and maintenance. The union warned that there could be taxpayer impact if the state must spend tax dollars to acquire office space it no longer owns or leases.

"The evidence is clear that telework has been a major asset in building a strong and diverse workforce by enhancing the state’s ability to attract and retain top talent," said OCSEA Pres. Chris Mabe. "It has enabled state employees to live and work in every part of Ohio without the need to move to Columbus." Mabe stated the upheaval could have a serious impact on our smaller communities that so many employees call home.

"The Governor wants to talk about continuity of service. Remote work, for those who are able, does just that. In this world of technological advancement, a remote workforce can help maintain essential services without interruption, including during natural disasters or other emergencies," said OCSEA Vice President Rocky Jolly. "OCSEA members are dedicated to their jobs and will do them well no matter where they are, but this disruption will only push our best and brightest to more flexible work environments––and straight out of public service."

Pres. Mabe is also calling the announcement “ironic" especially given that Gov. DeWine talked so much about families and childcare during the unveiling of his state budget this week. "He's promoting cost-savings to working families, like a child tax credit for example, while in the same breath threatening to unnecessarily upend state employees and their families," he said. "It should be obvious to the Governor that requiring state employees to go back to the office will cause major disruptions for Ohio families, including to their pocketbooks."

Stay tuned to this newsletter for updates and other actions around remote work.

In a statement released today, AFSCME says that federal funding for transportation should not be "used as a cudgel against communities." AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in response to the USDOT memo re-directing federal funds away from communities:

“Investing in our nation’s transportation is essential for maintaining strong communities and a vibrant economy. It is absurd to re-direct taxpayer dollars away from our communities because of arbitrary standards such as marriage and birth rates; or to use federal funding policies as a cudgel to push states and localities to fall in line on the president’s policies. Clearly, this isn’t about public safety or transportation. It’s about dividing Americans while those in power work to enrich billionaires and hope that we don’t notice.

“Meanwhile, the workers who have dedicated their careers to maintaining our transportation infrastructure are being attacked. Our economy and working families will pay the price if this continues.”

 

On a grander scale, AFSCME is pushing back against proposals to freeze federal money that helps communities, including billions of dollars that fund AFSCME jobs and services by public employee union members all over the country, including right here in Ohio. While the order has since been rescinded (for now), it does little to calm the uncertainty that many in our communities feel.

 

Additionally, AFSCME is joining AFGE and NAGE in filing a lawsuit to halt the White House's federal employee resignation directive and to stop the purge of qualified nonpartisan professionals from the federal government workforce.

 

Further, an executive order targeting union contracts in the federal government is also causing alarm. The directive orders federal agencies to disapprove union contracts signed within the last 30 days under the previous presidential administration. AFSCME and its coalitions partners that represent federal workers remain committed to protecting union rights and ensuring that all negotiated contracts are upheld.

 

Want to get involved and help organize strength through union collective action? Learn more about the AFSCME Get Organized campaign. Sign up to join the fight to protect our jobs, freedoms and futures at go-afscme.org.

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On Super Bowl Sunday, some of our larger and faster union brothers—members of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA)—will be battling it out on the gridiron. The Super Bowl carries a union label, from players to broadcast crews to stadium workers. Even the footballs being used on Sunday are union-made right here in Ohio at the Wilson plant in Ada, Ohio.

 

Your Super Bowl party spread can be union-made, too! If you are planning to celebrate this Sunday, make sure you grab union-made snacks and drinks, all courtesy of our union brothers and sisters of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM), the UAW, Machinists (IAM), the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Teamsters (IBT).