OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / November 11, 2026
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Remembering ODOT union sister tragically killed on the job
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OCSEA and its union members are mourning following Monday's tragic death of Ohio Dept. of Transportation union sister, Jennifer Donley. A member of OCSEA Fairfield-Perry Chapter 2320, Jennifer, an ODOT Bridge Specialist, was killed while working on the I-70 Reconstruction Project in Zanesville. She was 45 years old from Lancaster and had been a public bridge inspector for four years.
In a statement made by the union following the accident, OCSEA President Chris Mabe mourned our union sister and extended love to her family and co-workers: "Our union family is in mourning following the death of Jennifer Donley this morning in Zanesville...While the incident is currently under investigation, this tragedy is a reminder of the dangers our members face every day as we serve the people of Ohio. Please join me in saying a prayer for Jennifer’s family and loved ones.”
ODOT called Jennifer "a cherished member of our team whose presence touched everyone she worked with. She will be deeply missed and remembered for her warmth and commitment to her work and colleagues." She was remembered by the agency for her positive attitude and love of her job.
The accident is currently under investigation. We will continue to share information as it becomes available. Please know that ODOT is offering support to employees in need. The Ohio State Highway Patrol Member Assistance Team (MAT) has been activated and is available at the Zanesville field office (1540 Coal Run Road) as a counseling resource. Grief resources are also available for employees and family members through the Ohio Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) at 614-644-8545 or 800-221-6327.
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First Pledge Card raffle winner announced. Have you completed your pledge yet?
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OCSEA's Bargaining Pledge Card Solidarity Drive kicked off in October. OCSEA members who sign a state contract bargaining support Pledge Card are being entered into a weekly drawing for gift cards, laptops and more. The first drawing was held last Friday, November 6, with winners to be pulled weekly throughout bargaining. Additionally, chapters that have returned pledge cards are put into a weekly drawing to earn a rebate amount to be returned directly to the chapter.
Congrats to our Week 1 Winner!
- Member: Janeta Head, a union member who returned her pledge card from Franklin Medical Center Chapter 2578, won Beats Studio Pro Wireless noise canceling headphones.
- Chapter: Anthony Wayne Chapter 4810 earned a $250 Rebate
State contract Pledge Cards are being distributed by local chapters! These important pledge cards help members show the OCSEA Bargaining Team that you've got their backs as they prepare to go to the table. Get your bargaining support Pledge Card from your chapter president. Fill it out and return to them to be entered into the weekly pledge card drawing. The sooner you return your pledge card, the better chance you have of winning a prize.
Get bargaining news and see the weekly list of winners at OCSEA.org/bargaining.
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Solidarity Spin drawing, thank you to members starts Friday!
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10 WINNERS. 10 CHANCES TO SPIN. 10 PRIZE WHEEL SLOTS.
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As a thank you for being a member of OCSEA, every dues-paying member are being entered into a Solidarity Spin drawing for some huge prizes like an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), electric bike, OLED Smart TV, game systems, a Carnival Cruise Travel gift card and more.
One eligible OCSEA member will be selected on each payday from November 2026 through March 2027 to spin the Prize Wheel! That's 10 winners in all simply for being a union member! The first drawing is this Friday, November 13.
To be one of the 10 drawn winners, you must be an OCSEA member in good standing. Each selected member receives one Prize Wheel spin and must travel to OCSEA Headquarters to spin the prize wheel.
Download flyer with rules.
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OCSEA Veterans Conference to honor member veterans this weekend
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The OCSEA Veterans Committee Conference will take place this weekend at Salt Fork State Lodge and Conference Center. The annual celebration, always around the Veterans Day holiday, will honor OCSEA veteran members past and present and will celebrate veteran activists with the union's yearly veterans awards. Stay tuned to this newsletter for the conference wrap up and veterans awards honorees.
Visit OCSEA.org/Veterans to download the conference agenda.
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Magazine spotlight: OCSEA member uses Union Education Trust to pave a new path
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In the recent edition of the OCSEA magazine, the Public Employee Magazine (PEM), we spotlight how one member is using the contractual education benefit: the Union Education Trust (UET). For Lorenzo Surgeon, a Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW) caring for Ohio’s veterans at the Ohio Veterans Home Sandusky, switching fields in his mid-30s was a labor of love for helping others in need. And his UET benefit was just another perk of the job and being a union member that has helped meet career goals he never even knew he had. Read Lorenzo's story at OCSEA.org/PEM.
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ICYMI! Midterm: Voters support union-endorsed candidates, demand change in Ohio
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In the end, Ohio voters called for change and rejected big money and gutter politics in favor of union-endorsed candidates up and down the ballot. At the top of the ticket, Ohioans overwhelmingly voted for Dr. Amy Acton in the governor’s office and will send Sherrod Brown back to the U.S. Senate. In all, 68 of 76 of OCSEA's endorsed candidates were elected by the voters of Ohio.
"Ohio’s working people showed up––OCSEA activists showed up and made their voices heard and demanded change! Now the real work begins!" said OCSEA President Chris Mabe of this week's election victories.
Read more and see all winning union-endorsed candidates at OCSEAVotes.org.
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Download the November Union Bulletin Board flyers
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