Your union newsletter - Nov. 20, 2025

Posted Nov. 20, 2025 by OCSEA

OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / NOVEMBER 20, 2025

Ohio House of Representatives Passes Andy’s Law

There’s great news to report on the progress of Andy’s Law in the Ohio General Assembly. The Ohio House of Representatives passed the legislation Wednesday by a vote of 77-3 during a marathon session that didn’t end until after midnight. House Bill 338, named after Andrew Lansing, the correction officer killed on Christmas Day 2024 at the Ross Correctional Institution, now heads to the Ohio Senate where it will be scheduled for more hearings. The bill must pass both chambers of the General Assembly before Governor Mike DeWine can sign it into law.

OCSEA President Chris Mabe testified in support of Andy’s Law last week and urged the House to pass the bill as a crucial step toward protecting COs and other employees of Ohio’s prisons. He said, “the bill demands accountability for those who choose violence and reinforces that an assault on a corrections professional is an assault on the state itself.”

Andy’s Law would increase penalties for the murder or assault on a Correction Officer and require longer sentences for illegal conveyance of drugs and communications devices into prisons. Specifically, the legislation would impose a mandatory seven-year prison sentence for assaulting a prison employee, including COs, and require the sentence to be served consecutively. And the surviving spouse of a CO killed in the line of duty would receive healthcare benefits from the state. Unfortunately, language on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) eligibility was removed in the House-passed version. The union will push for that language to be returned to the Senate version.

View the House version of HB 338

Watch President’s Mabe’s testimony HERE.

Veterans Committee hosts annual Veterans Conference, sees record attendance

This past weekend, members gathered at the Mohican State Park Lodge in Perrysville, Ohio, for the most highly-attended OCSEA Veterans Committee Conference in OCSEA’s history! The event-filled day kicked off with a welcome from Veterans Committee Chair Doug Korba (Navy), followed by the Presentation of Colors by the DRC Honor Guard and the annual Missing Man Ceremony lead by Veterans Committee member Eric Kusky (Air Force).

Attendees were welcomed by Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, followed by President Chris Mabe (Army). Mabe said, “Everything you do is important for Ohioans, including veterans, every day,” reminding members of the importance of their public service.

Throughout the day, guest speakers included Lucas Denney, Assistant Director with the Dept. of Veteran Services, Retired U.S. Army Chaplain David Long, and Roy Campbell Jr., a former District 5 Commander with the VFW. They told stories of service, shared resources, and urged veterans to stay involved in their communities.

To wrap up the day, the Larry Cremeens Annual Veteran Service Awards were presented. The Veteran of the Year was awarded to Carrington Melton (Army), an union activist with ODJFS Chapter 2599. The Veteran Supporter of the Year was awarded to Tyler Evans, vice president of Ohio State Penitentiary Chapter 5041. Read more about the event.

Watch the video highlights of the event HERE, plus, see the full photo gallery HERE.

VIDEO

PHOTO GALLERY

Franklin County Job and Family Services members ratify union contract

Members of the union bargaining team for the Franklin County Job and Family Services are proud to announce that the FCJFS has been ratified by the membership through 2028. The union contract was approved by the membership at a ratification vote held at the OCSEA Union Hall on Monday, November 17.

Those voting on the three-year contract are members of FCJFS Chapter 2508. Members in that local government chapter bargain and approve the stand-alone contract each three-year cycle.

The ratified contract includes an 8.5% wage increase over the life of the three-year contract, reflects the county's minimum wage increases, and includes annual increases for longevity lump sum payments for years of service. The contract also includes increases to the number of hours that employees can accrue comp time before payout from 50 to 80 hours and increases Paid Family Leave from 8 to 10 weeks.

"We're proud of this contract and what it affords to our sisters and brothers in Franklin County," said bargaining team member and Chapter 2508 President Cynthia Watiker. "I'm proud of the team and the staff, and the members, who supported us through the entire process, from the table to ratification."

Members of the FCJFS Union Negotiations Team thank the members and staff who supported them through the contract process. From left to right: Jonathan Wright, Kevin Menefield, Dori Johnson & Cynthia Watiker. No photographed: Sylvia Gaddis

FCJFS Chap.2508 member Stephanie Williamson votes on whether to ratify the union contract.

DOWNLOAD CONTRACT

View all OCSEA Contracts at OCSEA.org/contracts

OCSEA 12 Days of Christmas starts December 1!

It's that time of year again! OCSEA's 12 Days of Christmas, the annual holiday celebration of OCSEA members, kicks off on Monday, December 1. This festive 12 days of raffle prize drawings is the perfect way to say THANK YOU to our union members this holiday season. It will come with "recipes" for success to help grow our union strength and solidarity. There's real value in being union, and it's the ingredients that come with collective solidarity that will cultivate a labor movement that supports working people and our communities.

OCSEA's 12 Days of Christmas prize drawing starts Monday, December 1 and ends on Friday, December 12. One prize per day will be awarded to one OCSEA member beginning on December 1 and each day for the 11 days that follow. If you’re an active, dues-paying OCSEA member, you will automatically be entered into the daily drawings for some really great prizes. No entry is required. The only requirement is that you are an OCSEA member, and you'll automatically be entered.

Daily winners will be contacted at the phone number and email on file with the union. Winners will also be announced on the OCSEA website at OCSEA.org/12daysofchristmas. Login HERE to make sure that your contact information and membership is up to date.

Know a co-worker who needs to sign an OCSEA membership card to become a member? Share this JOIN link with them today. Or reply to this email for assistance.

Final Leadership Training of 2025 continues goal of growing future leaders

OCSEA chapter leaders from around the state gathered this month for the final OCSEA Leadership Training of 2025. This is the fourth leadership training this year to bring together chapter officers and stewards aimed at building activism and growing the next generation of union leaders. It was held at the OCSEA Union Hall in Westerville. See a photo gallery of all the Leadership Trainings this year.

PHOTO GALLERY