OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / June 12, 2025

The murder of Officer Andrew Lansing on Christmas Day at the Ross Correctional Institution showed the world how dangerous working in Ohio’s prisons can be. That awful tragedy led to meaningful change when OCSEA convinced the Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Corrections to allow officers at Ross and Trumball Correctional Institutions to carry tasers as part of a pilot program. The tasers have already proven to be extremely effective in stopping violent attacks just a few weeks after they were first deployed.

 

Unfortunately, there’s a catch. The statewide deployment of tasers depends on how much money DRC receives in the next state budget. Governor DeWine requested money to buy more tasers and hire additional sergeants to help ease staffing shortages. But the funding was cut in a version of the budget passed by the Ohio House of Representatives. That’s why we need YOUR help to write state legislators now.

 

Every Officer working in our correctional institutions in Ohio deserves protection! That’s why it’s critical for state legislators to give DRC the funding it requested to pay for the statewide deployment of tasers to all state corrections facilities. Write your State Legislator RIGHT NOW! Urge them to fully fund DRC’s request for safety equipment in the state budget.

TAKE ACTION!

For 10 years, your union has administered a licensure and certification benefit for OCSEA bargaining unit members in the Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation & Corrections. This benefit was negotiated in 2015 and continues to serve DRC members’ licensure and certification needs. The program is administered by your Union Education Trust.

 

This program will pay for a required license, certificate or a test leading to a license or certificate not currently paid for by the Dept. of Rehabilitation and Corrections. You must be a DRC bargaining unit employee assigned to your current position to participate in this program. Always check with your DRC supervisor FIRST to see if DRC already pays for your license or certificate.

 

What the program pays for:

• Renewing approved licenses & certificates
• Acquiring required licenses & certificates
• Taking a test leading to a required license or certificate

What the program DOES NOT pay for:

• Licenses or certificates not required in your current job position
• Licenses or certificates currently paid for by DRC
• Instructional Fees
• Commercial Drivers Licenses

Get more information about participating in this program, including a download link to the application, at OCSEA.org/drclicensesandcertifications

 

More information to distribute: DRC Licensure & Certification Flyer | DRC Licensure & Certification Union Bulletin Board Flyer | DRC Licensure & Certification FAQ

This past weekend, nearly 350 activists participated in the annual OCSEA Steward Conference in Columbus. New and experienced union leaders gathered from across Ohio to foster their union representation skills and celebrate the history that built the union rights we have today. Click here to see more photos from the event.

 

The main event kicked off with the DR&C Honor Guard's celebration of our nation, a welcome from OCSEA officers President Chris Mabe and Secretary-Treasurer Kathy Gersper as well as OCSEA Education Chair Leslie Tilton.

 

"History is the foundation of everything. When you give a member a firm foundation and understanding of where we started––and where we are now––we develop a more dedicated leader who can to be the voice for our union brothers and sisters," said Leslie.

 

Special guest speakers Arbitrator Jack Buettner and Attorney Mike Hunter reiterated this point as they talked about the power of a union contract, the men and women who fought for Ohio's public union rights, and their roles as union arbitrators and mediators over the last 40 years.

 

"Everything about wages and benefits was controlled by the legislature," said Hunter, talking about life before Ohio collective bargaining over 40 years ago. "People sacrificed a lot to give us the benefits we have today," Buettner told the crowd. "Protect it!! Fight to protect it!" 

 

New activist Will Clemons agrees that knowing our union history is a powerful tool. Will, a Corrections Researcher, is training to be a steward for Central Ohio Corrections Chapter 2597.

 

"For me it’s all we've got," said Will. "What you like or don’t like about work––and the way to change it––is to organize. The way you’ve gotten what you like, somebody did that before you. And I want to be a part of all that."

 

Special guest speaker Dr. Amy Acton, the former Director of the Ohio Dept. of Health, thanked OCSEA members for their work and passion and talked about her history with the state of Ohio and her own passion for public service.

 

"I'm here to inspire a new generation of public servants," Dr. Acton told the crowd. "This means, together, creating a North Star that gives everyone an opportunity to reach their potential." Acton said her vision for Ohio is one of building hope. "That's optimism plus a real plan that will take all of us working together," said Acton.

PHOTO GALLERY

CONFERENCE VIDEO

Summer’s almost here, and with the new Union Education Trust (UET) start of the fiscal year right around the corner, the time is right to learn about your union-negotiated educational benefits!

 

As an OCSEA member, you are invited to join the next quarterly UET Open Forum Online via Zoom on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 4:30pm-6pm. Please plan on attending this free online event to get your UET questions answered and to gain new knowledge regarding utilization of your benefits.
 
Schedule of Events:
4:30 p.m. – Introduction and Announcements
4:40 p.m. – Presentation: Who Wants a CAT? UET’s Computer Application Training Program
5:00 p.m. – Open Forum Q&A
 
Click on the button below to register. There is limited space for this event so do not delay! We hope to see you there.

UET ONLINE FORUM
Wednesday, June 18

4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
On Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

OCSEA continues to push back on Governor DeWine’s Return to Office executive order and stand up for its members who’ve been impacted by the change. The statewide grievance the union filed against the Governor’s RTO order is now scheduled for mediation on June 23, 2025. OCSEA contends that management does not have the unilateral authority to eliminate or modify telework, and RTO represents a significant change to the terms and condition of employment that should have been negotiated with the union.

Both sides agreed to have Arbitrator Thomas Nowel serve as the mediator for the next step in the grievance process. Nowel, who served as the Fact Finder during the most recent contract negotiations, is familiar with the telework issue. Read more.

This week is AFSCME’s national Save Public Services Week of Action. We’re fighting to save our communities and protect the work we do.

 

The U.S. Senate is debating a cruel budget that would devastate working families, retirees, and public service workers like us.

 

Tell your senator: NO cuts!

This scheme, driven by anti-worker extremists and billionaires, would gut essential services, threaten good union jobs, and hand trillions in tax breaks to the wealthy. If it passes, seniors could lose life-saving care, children and families could go hungry, AND public service jobs would be on the chopping block.

 

We need you to call your senators and tell them to vote NO on these harmful budget cuts. Every call matters. Every voice counts. Together, we need to stand up to protect the communities we serve.

NOMINATE BY JULY 14