OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / June 17, 2026

AFSCME International President Lee Saunders electrified and inspired OCSEA leaders at the recent OCSEA Steward Conference. His powerhouse speech was a "thank you" to Ohio's public union members and a solemn goodbye as he prepares to retire from his union presidency later this year.

 

"This is home. This is family," said Saunders. "The first thing that I did when I became a state employee, working for OBES [Ohio Bureau of Employment Services], I joined a union. And guess what union I joined? It was OCSEA!" he exclaimed proudly. Originally, an OCSEA AFSCME Local 11 member and activist, Saunders went on to serve AFSCME International for nearly 50 years, as a staffer as well as its Secretary-Treasurer and then President for 14 years.

 

"Lee has been and always will be an OCSEA member, through and through," said OCSEA President Chris Mabe, who reflects on Saunder's labor and OCSEA history, including early bargaining and contract fights here in Ohio. “Lee leaves his mark on this nation. He’s a great man and a great leader, and one hell of a fighter for the labor movement,” said Mabe.

 

Saunders retirement will take effect at the conclusion of the upcoming AFSCME International Convention in August 2026, where delegates will elect new leadership to carry forward the union’s mission. But he didn't skip a beat when talking to leaders at the OCSEA Steward Conference about the significant tasks ahead. He spoke of the gravity of the upcoming statewide and legislative elections, putting his support behind pro-union Ohio Governor candidate Amy Acton, as well as the critical importance of the AFSCME GO (Get Organized) campaign that will continue his legacy for union worker rights for years to come.

 

"The real power of this union has never lived in any one leader. That power rests with all of our members," said Saunders, calling AFSCME members the “best damn members" in the labor movement. "I couldn’t have done it without you!" he said.

WATCH SAUNDERS VIDEO

Over 300 activists participated in the annual OCSEA Steward Conference in Columbus in early June. New and experienced union leaders gathered from across Ohio to not only fine tune their contract enforcement skills but to learn more about Get Out the Vote efforts over the next months that are essential to maintaining and protecting collective bargaining rights.

 

OCSEA Education Committee chair Leslie Tilton and her committee set up an action-packed weekend of events and speakers. Participants attended trainings on Friday evening and general session on Saturday, where they heard from OCSEA-endorsed Ohio gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Amy Acton; AFSCME International President Lee Saunders; Mediator Joe Trejo; and representatives from our discount college partners.

To help gauge member priorities for state contract bargaining, OCSEA leaders and staff have begun calling state union members to conduct the official bargaining survey. Your feedback will help the bargaining team develop a winning strategy and give you––and all OCSEA members––a voice at the table. The calls began this past weekend with the OCSEA Board of Directors and OCSEA senior staff reaching out to nearly 2,500 active OCSEA members. The survey calls will continue through the next few weeks.

 

The survey only takes a few minutes and allows members to prioritize their top issues and give feedback on concerns that are unique to their agency or workplace. The calls will also allow the union to update your contact information and sign you up for text alerts. If you receive a call but are unavailable, you can contact the OCSEA Member Resource Center at 888-627-3211 to complete your bargaining survey.

 

The OCSEA State Contract Bargaining Team will be elected this September at the OCSEA Bargaining Council, and bargaining with the State of Ohio could begin as soon as the end of the year. The OCSEA State Contract expires at the end of February 2027.

 

OCSEA Board of Directors members and OCSEA senior staff make bargaining survey calls.

In the spring edition of the OCSEA Public Employee Magazine, we are highlighting the importance of the Union Education Trust (UET), the negotiated education benefit that offers up to $8,000 every year for members to go back to school, receive training and so much more. We love to spotlight members who have used the union benefit to make transformative impacts on their lives––personal and professional. Read the most recent spotlight below:

 

"I just want to be a lifelong learner and be curious,” said Laura Woods, a union activist with Franklin Chapter 2500 and an Energy Data Analytics Specialist with the Ohio Adjutant General’s Office. It’s this desire for perpetual learning that has driven Laura to use her union education benefits to the fullest. It has also pushed her to persistently promote the Union Education Trust (UET) to anyone who will listen–– especially her union co-workers.

 

Laura says the union education resources available through the UET help take your educational journey to the next level––no matter where you are in your life. “What are the things that I can learn to help me be a better public servant and be better at my job?” she constantly asks herself––and wants others to ask of themselves too. She says her UET funds have been fundamental in her own public service journey and in improving the skillsets she needs to serve Ohioans and advance the mission of the Ohio National Guard.

 

Read her full story on Page 10 of the Spring Public Employee Magazine at OCSEA.org/PEM.

New this year, the Union Benefits Trust (UBT) is offering optional pet insurance coverage for purchase. MetLife Pet Insurance helps cover the costs of unexpected accidents or illnesses, so nothing gets in the way of caring for your pet when they need it most. With flexible plans for purchase, active union members covered under the UBT can select the plan that fits their pet needs and finances.

 

With MetLife Pet Insurance, it means coverage that fits any budget plus the freedom to visit any U.S. veterinarian, exam fees coverage for accidents and illnesses, flexible plans with no breed exclusions, coverage of prior pre-existing conditions under previous providers, optional preventive care coverage for dogs and cats, and more.

 

To get a free quote and enroll, visit metlife.com/getpetquote53 or call 877-914-9622.

 

Here are just some of the treatments and conditions covered:

• Accidental injuries
• Illnesses
• Exam fees
• Surgeries
• Medications
• Ultrasounds
• Hospital stays
• X-rays and diagnostic tests
• And more!

Want to learn more about all of YOUR union member education benefit options? CLICK HERE!