OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / October 7, 2026

The first-ever OCSEA Future of Work Conference will take place on Saturday, October 17 at the Quest Conference Center in Westerville, with a reception (costumes optional, see more below) the night before at the OCSEA Union Hall. Registration for this conference and reception are closed.

 

The conference will provide information, discussion, and resources focused on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, workforce changes, training opportunities, and preparing members for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

 

The official conference agenda has been announced. Special guest speakers will include Allison Russo, 7th District Ohio State Representative and union-endorsed candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, and Hanna Halbert, Director of Policy Matters Ohio. Both will talk about the impact of emerging technologies on public work and communities.

A Future of Work Reception will be held on Friday, October 16 starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place at the OCSEA Union Hall (across the street from Quest). The theme is Back to the Future and costumes are encouraged but optional. There will be prizes for best costumes.

GET AGENDA

Our union values are on the ballot! That's why OCSEA leaders gathered this past weekend for a Labor Votes outreach event, calling OCSEA members about the importance of getting out to vote and supporting labor-friendly candidates on November 3.

 

“When we talk about ‘vote your job,’ it’s not just a bumper sticker, it’s not a tagline,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe at the OCSEA Presidents Conference in July. The results of the November 3 election will be monumental for all Ohioans, and particularly for state employees as we elect the person who will lead the state in contract negotiations. “It’s time we get the best seat at the table to move us forward,” said Mabe.

 

Get more information on the upcoming election, including union endorsements, at OCSEAVotes.org. Also, keep scrolling this email for labor-to-labor Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities near you through the Ohio AFL-CIO.

 

Early voting in Ohio began on October 6. Visit the Ohio Secretary of State's voting website to find your Early Voting Location.

GET LABOR VOTES UNION RESOURCES

Help remind union members to vote! Stop into the North Shore AFL-CIO HQ on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. to write postcards and make calls to union voters.

 

North Shore AFL-CIO GOTV - postcards and calls

Tuesdays and Thursdays

11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: North Shore AFL-CIO, 3250 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115

RSVP

Join union leaders and members across Ohio for door-to-door canvass events every Saturday. These events will allow union voices to talk one-on-one in neighborhoods with union families about electing union-strong endorsed candidates up and down the ballot!

 

Labor Votes 2026 Canvass: Every Saturday

• COLUMBUS: UFCW Local 1059, 4150 E Main St. | Contact: Mike French, mfrench@ohaflcio.org
• CLEVELAND: Locations vary by week | Contact: Rebecca Gorski, rgorski@clevelandaflcio.org
• TOLEDO: TFT, 115 S St. Clair St., Toledo, OH 43604 | Contact: Mike Noll, mnoll@ohaflcio.org
• NILES: USW 2155/Mahoning-Trumbull CLC, 1265 N. Main St. | Contact: Kathleen Kelly-Calcei, kcalcei@ohaflcio.org
• CANTON: USW Golden Lodge, 1234 Harrison Ave., SW | Contact: Kathleen Kelly-Calcei, kcalcei@ohaflcio.org
• DAYTON: Dayton-Miami Valley CLC, 6550 Poe Ave. | Contact: Will Minehart, wminehart@ohaflcio.org
• AKRON: Tri-County Regional Labor Council, 720 Wolf Ledges Pkwy | Contact: Kyle Weidleman, kweidlem@aft.org
• CINCINNATI: Cincinnati AFL-CIO/APWU Local 164, 1385 Tennessee Ave. | Contact: Will Minehart, wminehart@ohaflcio.org

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RSVP

 

Registration is open for the OCSEA Veterans Committee Conference, the union's annual event to honor and celebrate its member veterans, past and present. The conference will be held November 14 at the Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center in eastern Ohio. A reception will be held the evening before on November 13 at the Lodge.

 

Get information on the conference, including registration, lodging, tentative agenda and veterans award nominations at OCSEA.org/Veterans. 

 

OCSEA Veterans Committee Conference

November 13-14, 2026

Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center

11073 Natural Resources 3 Road, Kimbolton, OH 43749

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 6

Learn More

The Combined Charitable Campaign Committee Team helps make the annual charitable giving campaign and kick off a success.

Don't forget! The Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC) runs through Oct. 23. That means there's still time to sign up for a reaccuring payroll donation or a one-time gift to one of more than 900 local, regional, and international charitable organizations. All OCSEA members are encouraged to participate as a way to give back to their communities and to important charities that make Ohio strong.

 

The CCC offers an online giving system, ePledge, which is a secure and efficient method of viewing and making contributions to the campaign. Access the ePledge site through myOhio.gov (State News and Events page–myCCC "Click to Donate" tile).

 

The CCC has been a joint union and state campaign for over 35 years. This includes many bargaining unit union members who assist with the overall campaign planning, campaign kickoff and as CCC Coordinators statewide and within their agencies. Thanks to these amazing volunteers who make this campaign a success every year!

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