OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / APRIL 1, 2026

Congratulations to OCSEA brother and retiree activist Joe Wing, a recipient of honor at last Thursday night's Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO 67th annual George Meany Awards. Brother Wing, a retired union ODOT activist and member of OCSEA Central Ohio Chapter 2513, was honored for his service and dedication to the Ohio labor movement. Congrats to Joe for all of the hard work he's put into the union fight for decades.

 

Joe was also OCSEA's 2025 recipient of the Jean Fightmaster Leadership Award at the August OCSEA Biennial Convention. Learn more about the Jean Fightmaster Leadership Award.

 

The Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is a Central Ohio umbrella union affiliation based in Columbus and focuses on advocating for workers' rights and promoting labor solidarity in the region. Through various initiatives and campaigns, the organization works to support and empower workers, striving to create a more equitable and just workplace for all. Learn more about the Central Ohio Labor Council

 

George Meany, for which the award is named, was a tireless champion for working people and helped build a stronger middle class, advance fair wages, and ensured workers had a real voice on the job. Meany oversaw the merger of the AFL-CIO in 1955 and served as its head.

OCSEA retiree activist Joe Wing, center, was a recipient of honor at the Central Ohio Labor Council's George Meany Awards. Photos courtesy of the Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO

The annual OCSEA Women's Action Committee (WAC) Conference will take place May 1-2, 2026, at Deer Creek Lodge and Conference Center in Mount Sterling. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

 

Read below for important information on the event::

• The RSVP deadline is April 27. All registration forms and payment must be submitted by that deadline.
• The deadline to book lodging with Deer Creek Lodge is quickly approaching on April 10. Book HERE with code: OWACWCC462
• If you plan to attend the Friday evening Get Out the Vote (GOTV) training, please indicate on your registration form. Spots are limited.
• Visit the event website to read about the speaker lineup.
• Commemorative WAC t-shirts will be sold at the conference. Make sure to have cash on hand to purchase a shirt. No credit cards/cash apps will be taken.

Learn about the event, how to register, and view tentative agenda at OCSEA.org/WAC.

REGISTER FOR EVENT

BOOK HOTEL

This month's Union Bulletin Board Network (UBBN) flyers are here and available for download at OCSEA.org/UBBN. Use these flyers for your worksite union bulletin boards for quick access to OCSEA news, events, discounts and more. Chapters should upload them monthly to keep the union news fresh!

 

Don't have an onsite bulletin board? The virtual bulletin board network at OCSEA.org/UBBN gives OCSEA members access to union flyers with a click of a button. Chapters that don't have boards are urged to email the flyers or UBBN link to their members monthly and distribute at chapter meetings. Any chapter that needs assistance with printing fliers should contact the OCSEA mailroom at 614-865-4733.

This month's virtual flyers include 

• Women's Action Committee (WAC) Conference is May 1-2
• Introducing Edvance Union College Benefit!
• Les Best Scholarship - Last chance to apply!
• Union Education Trust: Growing Your Opportunities
• Don't Be Fooled by Anti-Union groups
• Hold the Line for Safe Jobs – Workers Memorial Day is April 28
• Spring Primary Election Deadlines
• Kings Island discount ticket offer
• Union-Made Easter
• Working Advantage: April Deals

The League of Women Voters of Ohio is making sure every Ohioan knows their rights and deadlines when it comes to voting in the May 5 Primary Election.

• The deadline to register to vote and update your information for the spring primary election is next Monday, April 6.
• Early voting and absentee voting begins on Tuesday, April 7.

See more primary election deadlines below.

 

Additionally, Ohio has a new absentee ballot deadline that requires mail-in ballots to arrive by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. This new law removes the post-election acceptance window that allowed ballots mailed before Election Day to arrive a few days later. If you want to vote by mail, request your ballot now to receive it once your Board of Elections begins mailing them out on April 7. Request an absentee ballot application here, or call your county Board of Elections and ask them to mail you an application:

 

Confused about what kind of ID is allowed at the polls on May 5? Visit the League's social media pages to get all the details to make sure you have what you need to vote: Facebook | Instagram Share with family, friends and union co-workers, too!

Last month, OCSEA held its second Leadership Training of the year, with more than 40 members from across the state attending the three-day event in Columbus. The training has expanded this year to include not only chapter leaders but also union stewards. Read more.

 

Leaders and stewards who are interested in attending a Leadership Trainings are encouraged to reach out to OCSEA’s Member Resource Center (MRC) for more information at MRC@ocsea.org or 888-627-3211 (888-OCSEA-11).

PHOTO GALLERY