PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY - OCSEA

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY 

AFSCME LOCAL 11/AFL-CIO 

Volume 69, No. 1 • WINTER 2013 

The State Budget 

pages 12-13

Could it happen here? 

On a cold day in 

December, 12,000 

Michigan workers 

shivered in the bitter cold outside 

the state capitol to stand 

up for their workplace rights. 

It was déjà vous all over again. 

What Ohioans went through 

in 2011, Michiganers were suddenly 

and unexpectedly experiencing. 

In the blink of an eye, 

the Michigan state legislature 

was poised to ram through 

legislation to destroy collective 

bargaining for public and 

private employees. 

The Michigan state legislature 

with Michigan Governor Rick 

Snyder as co-pilot passed a No 

Rights at Work law during a 

lame duck session of the legislature. 

The bill was swiftly 

moved out of two committees 

on a Friday with no hearings or 

public input. By the following 

Wednesday, the legislation had 

become law. Lawmakers knew 

if they waited for the new lawmakers 

to be sworn in, the bill 

would never pass. 

“Of all the underhanded 

deals we’ve seen as state workers 

in Ohio – and we’ve seen 

plenty – the deal in Michigan 

took the cake,” said OCSEA 

Chap. 4720 Pres. Dave Harper, 

from Lorain Correctional 

Institution, who, along with 

dozens of other Ohioans, 

traveled to Michigan to stand 

in solidarity with the workers 

at a rally in downtown Lansing, 

Michigan. 

But that underhanded process 

galvanized the people of 

Michigan. It also changed their 

OCSEA Pres. Chris Mabe (center) with Michigan AFSCME Intl. VP 

Larry Roehrig and OCSEA activist Dave Harper stand in solidarity 

with protesters in Michigan. 

views…and fast. Governor 

Snyder’s poll numbers suddenly 

plummeted and so did any support 

for his anti-worker legislation. 

Like Gov. Kasich before 

him, Snyder went from being a 

moderately popular governor to 

being one of the least popular 

governors in the U.S., with only 

a 38 percent approval rating. 

Polls also showed that the No 

Rights At Work bill was strongly 

opposed by 51 percent of 

voters. 

Despite the passage of this 

legislation, unions are still popular 

in Michigan. In fact, 52 percent 

of voters support unions 

with just 33 percent being unfavorable 

to them. And like Ohio, 

the auto industry has played 

a significant role in keeping 

this rust belt state pro-worker. 

However, the Michigan experience 

has many workers in the 

private and public sector in 

Ohio wondering if they’re next. 

Could a Michigan happen in 

Ohio? 

No doubt it could, most 

political watchers agree. Already 

petitions are being circulated 

for a ballot initiative. A group 

calling itself Freedom to Choose 

held an informational meeting 

in Ashland, Ohio to recruit 

signature gatherers (see next 

page). 

OCSEA Pres. Christopher 

Mabe believes another fight is 

surely on the horizon. “As long 

as unions are stopping corporate 

greed, the privatization of 

Social Security, and extreme 

legislation like SB 5, we’ll continue 

to be a threat to the rich 

and powerful,” said Mabe. “But 

instead of being sitting ducks, 

the SB 5 fight has more than 

prepared us to do what it takes 

to fight for our rights.” 

2 Public Employee Quarterly Winter 2013

Ohioans Gather to Say... 

Recently, a large 

group of Correction 

Officers, teachers, 

steelworkers, Highway Workers 

and others gathered outside 

the Ashland Justice Center in 

Ashland, Ohio to speak out 

against the “No Rights At Work” 

agenda in Ohio that appears to 

be ramping up again. 

An anti-worker group led 

by the Tea Party held an event 

in Ashland to recruit signature 

gatherers in an effort to put 

another measure like Senate Bill 

5 on the ballot. OCSEA members 

and other union activists 

held a counter-event that same 

day to explain to the group that 

measures like so-called Right 

to Work take away the voice of 

working people. 

Bob White, Chap. 7021 

Pres. and a Corrections Sergeant 

at the Richland Correctional 

Institution, told rally goers, “We 

need to value hard work and 

the people who built our state 

and nation. If we stand together 

to protect good paying jobs in 

our community, like the one 

that built this Justice Center 

building, keep it safe, and educate 

our children, then you, me 

and all of us will be stronger.” 

“No Rights at Work is an 

Terry Hollon, a retiree from the Pickaway Correctional 

Institution, traveled 90 miles to attend 

the No Rights at Work rally. 

assault on our democracy and 

is part of the national attack on 

the American Dream for working 

people,” said White. “This 

insults and degrades the work.” 

OCSEA leaders say Right 

to Work laws should really 

be called No Rights at Work 

laws, because they take away 

people’s ability to have a voice 

in the workplace. Employees 

in No Rights at Work states are 

paid on average $1,500 less 

than in states that have collective 

bargaining. Evidence 

also shows that workers in 

No Rights at Work states are 

injured or even die on the job 

at alarmingly higher rates. 

OCSEA Chap. 7021 Pres. Bob White tells workers at a rally that 

attacks on Right At Work is an assault on Democracy. 

Winter 2013 Public Employee Quarterly 3

Friends of Turnpike 

win privatization upset 

Anticipation over 

whether or not 

Governor John Kasich 

would follow in his political 

party’s footsteps and privatize 

the state’s Turnpike has been 

building for more than a year. 

Like-minded Governors like 

Indiana’s Mitch Daniels went 

down that road a few years back 

to disastrous results. 

But Northern Ohioans, 

Turnpike employees, OCSEA 

ODOT members and other 

friends of the Turnpike made 

a successful bid against privatizing 

the toll road that pretty 

much everyone agrees is well 

managed and self-sustaining. 

For a year, Turnpike supporters 

have been meeting with legislators, 

reporters and anyone else 

who would listen to tell the 

governor to back off any privatization 

attempts. Petitions were 

circulated, calls were made and 

even two ex-directors of the 

Turnpike spoke out against a 

sale or lease. 

“It’s one of our greatest 

assets,” said Fred Collier, a 

Highway Technician 4 in ODOT 

District 12, the Cleveland area. 

“I think once you privatize, 

you basically lose control. Tolls 

would have risen, People would 

lose their jobs. Once you turn 

something over to a for-profit 

business, costs have to increase. 

Once Indiana privatized, 

their road deteriorated, tolls 

increased and it was in worse 

shape than it was before.” 

Indiana Gov. Daniels leased 

the state’s toll road to a Spanish 

company for 75 years, and ever 

since, the value of the road has 

been in a nosedive. Now the 

owners are trying to squeeze 

out every penny they can by 

raising tolls. 

Rather than sell or lease 

the Ohio Turnpike, however, 

Kasich has proposed to cash 

in on the road with the sale 

of additional bonds. The state 

would then use the revenue 

from the bond sales to pay for 

road construction projects on 

the Turnpike, freeing up money 

for other state projects. 

Supporters of the plan 

believe it will help address the 

state’s dwindling gas tax revenues, 

which currently fund 

Ohio’s road projects. Those 

against it say continuing to 

leverage state assets is risky and 

will only add to the state’s debt 

and maybe diminish its bond 

rating. 

But what most government 

watchers all believe is if the 

decision to privatize Ohio’s 

Turnpike had been rendered 

a year ago, rather than just 

a year from his re-election 

bid, Kasich’s answer to the 

Turnpike very well could have 

been: sell, sell, sell. 

Fred Collier, Chap. 1804 

D-12 ODOT Highway 

Technician says once assets 

like the Turnpike are 

privatized, costs go up. 

More than maps 

and brochures... 

ODOT to close travel centers 

Customer service in state government, apparently, 

is becoming a thing of the past. A recent example is 

the ODOT announcement to eliminate 11 Ohio Travel 

Information Center’s along many major interstates. Also 

gone will be the 34 Travel Counselors who greet Ohio travelers 

with a smile every day. 

The move is less about ODOT getting back to its “core 

mission” and more about slimming down government. 

Not only is OCSEA concerned that positions in ODOT are 

being eliminated, but the reduction will have a profound 

effect on the local communities and small businesses. 

"These centers aren’t just about maps and brochures, 

small businesses count on Travel Counselors to share 

information about local business for out-of-state travelers," 

said OCSEA Assembly President Gary Apanasewicz. "Travel 

Counselors are from these areas and care about the success 

and promotion of their communities." 

"Our members take a lot of pride in serving the public. 

And now that these positions are being eliminated, there’ll 

be no one to help those who might be in trouble or need 

assistance. A cell phone app can’t do that," said OCSEA 

President Christopher Mabe. 


What the impact of closures 

really means 

In January, the Ohio Dept. of Job and 

Family Services announced it will be 

consolidating its field offices from 

27 to 15 facilities. While OCSEA knew the 

consolidation to curb costs and eliminate 

leased space was coming, it never imagined 

how dramatic the cuts would be or how 

huge the impact would be. More than 500 

ODJFS members will be directly affected. 

And worst of it all? The union was never 

asked for input on the consolidations. 

“A conversation between the union and 

ODJFS on the reshuffling and the impact 

on employees and communities never 

happened,” said OCSEA/ODJFS Assembly 

President Cindy Bobbitt. Bobbitt says she 

is concerned how this will affect employees’ 

family lives. For many, their lives are 

being disrupted by a second consolidation 

in four years. Others will have to spend 

hours in the car just to get to work. 

Impacted members include Shelly 

Bailey, a Customer Service Representative 

at the Maumee Claims Call Center in northern 

Ohio. She and her Maumee co-workers, 

along with employees from Bowling Green 

and Tiffin, will move to a new office in 

downtown Toledo later this year. 

For Bailey, the move will mean an extra 

half-hour added on to an already hour long 

commute (each way) from her home in 

rural Montpelier, Ohio, just west of the 

Ohio/Indiana border. That means less time 

with her family and more time on the road. 

It also means more gas fill-ups and tune-ups 

for her car, additional toll fees, and parking 

expenses. 

Bailey is conflicted though, because a 

job that pays well with benefits and union 

representation like this doesn’t come along 

every day, she said. “I am very appreciative 

that I have a job, and I love my job,” said 

Bailey. 

Also affected is Vanessa Wright, an 

Account Examiner in The Plains Office 

near Athens in southern Ohio. She will 

now have to travel more than four hours a 

day from her rural Gallia County home to a 

Columbus office and back. “This just isn't 

what I bargained for when I took this job 

so many years ago,” said Wright, whose gas 

expenses will double with the commute. 

Athens County Commissioners recently 

wrote Gov. John Kasich to offer free office 

space with the Athens County JFS to 

accommodate the workers. The state JFS 

contends it’s “not a viable option.” 

“The governor is constantly touting the 

benefits of shared services. And here's an 

opportunity to consolidate resources and 

the state is saying, No! Who can say no to 

free?” said Bobbitt. 

State Senator Lou Gentile also contacted 

the governor about the consolidation, 

saying the move is “not worth the cost” 

to communities and families in already 

hurting communities like Athens and 

Bridgeport in Belmont County. “This type 

of consolidation is a direct factor to the 

prosperity of our local economy. These are 

ODJFS offices impacted: 

jobs that will no longer contribute to local 

businesses, income tax, and broader community 

development,” Gentile wrote. 

Gentile is also concerned that OCSEA 

was not able to “weigh in on the decision” 

that will impact hundreds of its members. 

Four years ago, OCSEA worked closely 

with ODJFS via the Joint Budget Committee 

to develop a smaller consolidation plan. 

“While no transition is perfect, at least 

our members had some input and weren’t 

blind-sided by Columbus insiders making 

all the decisions,” said Bobbitt. 

While Bobbitt says that the agency is 

doing what it can to work with the union 

since the announcement – including developing 

alternative work solutions – she says 

it might be too little, too late. 

“We’re committed to cost-saving 100 

percent, but we’re also committed to 

common sense. If the union had been 

involved from the beginning, we could 

have minimized the impact greatly,” said 

Bobbitt. 

Bowling Green, Maumee, Tiffin – merging into new 

downtown Toledo location 

Bridgeport – moving to Reno 

Canton – moving to Akron or Youngstown 

Dayton, Ft. Loramie, Springdale – merging into new 

Montgomery Co. location 

Ironton – moving to Chillicothe 

Mansfield – moving to Columbus or Lorain 

The Plains – moving to Columbus 

Richmond Heights – moving to Cleveland 


Goin’ to the mat 

LOCAL 

AFL-CIO 

Ohio Civil Service 

Employees Association 

CHRISTOPHER MABE 

President 

Recent attacks on 

our employees in 

Ohio Dept. of Job 

and Family Services offices 

and ODOT Travel Centers 

are just the next example of 

this administration’s lack of 

consideration for working 

families. Here we have two 

groups of employees whose 

jobs are still vitally important; 

but poor planning, not 

involving the union and the 

mistaken belief that all state 

services must be brought to 

Columbus have made a mess 

of things. 

We don’t believe it had to 

be this way. Of course, we 

disagree with these changes. 

But in the case of the ODJFS 

offices, had the administration 

come to the union first, 

instead of after putting out 

a press release, we could 

have shared lots of ideas for 

alternative work arrangements. 

Had the state come 

to us, we could have worked 

with other county JFS offices 

like in Athens County to see 

about free or cheap space, 

for instance. We could have 

had conversations about 

the hardship this is creating 

for families and talk about 

the possibility of expanding 

telework. There are all sorts 

of options that just weren’t 

explored. 

The same goes for the 

Travel Centers. In that case, 

we had some initial conversations 

with ODOT, in which 

we opposed the plan. But the 

agency assured us that those 

positions would 

be eliminated as 

people retired, 

instead of abolishing 

these jobs. 

Well, that didn’t 

happen either. 

The administration 

decided to put out 

a press release and 

let the chips fall 

where they may. 

So now we’re applying 

some public pressure…and, 

boy, do I mean pressure! You 

can’t open up a paper right 

now without reading about 

the JFS office in the Plains or 

the travel center in Bowling 

Green. 

Our activists are pouring 

it on, too. Affected members 

have contacted their local 

elected officials, been brave 

enough to talk to newspaper 

reporters and sent detailed 

letters to the decision-makers 

in state agencies about how 

families and communities 

will be impacted. 

OCSEA has called for a 

meeting with JFS as well. 

We’re participating in Town 

Hall meetings and encouraging 

all OCSEA members to 

attend. (For a list, check 

ocsea.org). The Town Halls 

will be a great opportunity 

to tell your story. Staff and 

union leaders will continue 

to talk to management about 

alternative work locations 

and telework in JFS and to 

ensure that every travel counselor 

gets placed in a job in 

ODOT. 

“Now our opponents 

are flanking us on all 

sides instead of with one 

monstrous hit – like they 

did with Senate Bill 5.” 

~ OCSEA Pres. 

Christopher Mabe 

I’ve said in the past 

that the fight is the same but 

that the rules have changed. 

Now our opponents are 

flanking us on all sides 

instead of with one monstrous 

hit – like they did with 

Senate Bill 5. But we have 

learned, too. And now our 

responses to those attacks 

are more sophisticated, more 

multi-dimensional and a lot 

faster. 

I am so proud of the 

response from our members 

and leaders who understand 

what it takes to go to the mat 

and stay vigilant for the fight 

ahead. 

President 

Christopher Mabe 

Vice President 

Kelvin Jones 

Secretary-Treasurer Kathleen M. Stewart 

Board of Directors: 

District 1: Shawn Gruber (DR&C), Jerry Lugo 

(ODJFS), Vacancy 

District 2: Carrie Johnson (MH), 

Michelle Hunter (DODD) 

District 3: Doug Mosier (DR&C), Vacancy 

District 4: Bruce Thompson (DYS), 

Cindra Drake (Taxation) 

District 5: Cindy Bobbitt (ODJFS), 

Jeana Campolo (DODD) 

District 6: Laura Morris (Health), Debra King 

Hutchinson (ODJFS), Gerard "Rocky" Jolly 

(School for Blind), Shirley Hubbert (BWC), 

James Adkins (DR&C), Karen Ryther (RSC), 

John Anthony (Taxation), Annie Person (DYS), 

Amy Turner (ODOT), Vacancy 

District 7: James LaRocca (Lottery), 

Lawrence McKissic (BWC) 

District 8: A.J. Frame (DR&C), 

Beth Sheets (ODMR/DD) 

District 9: Mal Corey (DR&C), Jeff Condo (OVH) 

Retiree Representative: Ron Alexander 

OCSEA Headquarters: 

390 Worthington Road, Ste. A, 

Westerville, Oh 43082 

Live Operator: 614-865-4700 or 800-969-4702 

Automated Dial: 614-865-2678 or 

800-266-5615 

Fax: 614-865-4777 

Web site: www.ocsea.org 

Customer Service: 888-OCSEA-11 

(888-627-3211) 

OCSEA Public Employee Quarterly (USPS 

010-112) is published quarterly for $6 by the 

Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, 

390 Worthington Road, Suite A, Westerville, 

OH 43082. Periodicals postage paid at 

Westerville, OH and additional mailing offices. 

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the 

Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, 390 

Worthington Road, Suite A, Westerville, OH 

43082. 

OCSEA Public Employee Quarterly is produced 

by the OCSEA Communications Department: 

Sally Meckling, Director; Deirdre O’Neill-Wedig, 

Pattie Boy, Ana Goodlet, Associates. 

To update email and other contact information 

go to: 

www.ocsea.org/update or call 800-969-4702. 

LAKE 

WILLIAMS FULTON LUCAS 

ASHTABULA 

OCSEA 

OTTAWA 

DISTRICT 7 

GEAUGA 

WOOD 

CUYAHOGA 

DEFIANCE HENRY 

SANDUSKY ERIE 

TRUMBULL 

LORAIN 

PORTAGE 


PAULDING 

MEDINA 

DISTRICT 1 

HURON 


SENECA 

SUMMIT DISTRICT 4 


PUTNAM 

HANCOCK 

DISTRICT 3 

MAHONING 

ASH- 

VAN WERT 

WYANDOT CRAWFORD 

LAND 

WAYNE 

STARK 

ALLEN 

RICHLAND 

COLUMBIANA 

HARDIN 

MERCER AUGLAIZE 

MARION 

HOLMES 

CARROLL 

MORROW 

JEFFER- 

LOGAN 

KNOX 

TUSCARAWAS 

SON 

SHELBY 

UNION 

HARRISON 

DELAWARE 

COSHOCTON 

DARKE 

CHAMPAIGN OCSEA 


DISTRICT 6 

DISTRICT 5 

LICKING 

MIAMI 

GUERNSEY BELMONT 

MUSKINGUM 

FRANKLIN 

CLARK 

MADISON 

MONT- 

PREBLE GOMERY 

FAIRFIELD 

NOBLE 

PERRY 

MONROE 

GREENE 

MORGAN 


FAYETTE 

DISTRICT 2 

HOCKING 

WASHINGTON 

BUTLER 


WARREN CLINTON 

DISTRICT 8 

ROSS 

VINTON ATHENS 

HAMILTON 

HIGHLAND 

MEIGS 

PIKE 

JACKSON 

CLERMONT 


DISTRICT 9 

BROWN 

GALLIA 

ADAMS 

SCIOTO 

LAWRENCE 


OCSEA Convention 

SAVE THE DATE 

The 30th OCSEA Biennial 

Convention will take place 

Aug. 22-24 at the Renaissance 

Hotel in downtown Cleveland, 

Ohio. All convention events and 

overnight accommodations will 

be at the Renaissance Hotel. 

A Convention Call will be 

mailed out 180-days prior to 

convention to all Chapter, 

District Council and Assembly 

presidents and secretaries and 

OCSEA Board of Director members. 

A preliminary delegate 

count will be given in a followup 

mailing in March, with a final 

delegate count calculated on 

June 21, 2013. 

See the Convention Call 

for information on delegate 

elections and qualifications. 

Singers needed for 

OCSEA Convention 

Sing in your church choir, a 

local band or just in the shower? 

You just may have the voice 

we’re looking for! OCSEA 

is looking for talented singers 

to perform at the OCSEA 

Convention in Cleveland. If 

you will be a delegate or live 

in the Cleveland area and think 

you have what it takes, contact 

Deirdre Wedig at 800-266-5615, 

ext. 2604 or doneill@ocsea. 

org. Or send a demo to OCSEA 

Attn: Convention Singers, 

390 Worthington Rd. Ste. A, 

Westerville, OH 43082. 

Its Time to register! 

2013 CMCA Conference 

March 15-17, 2013 

Holiday Inn French Quarter, 

Perrysburg, OH 

Justice • Faith • Power 

Registration Information: 

Registration Fee is $100 per 

person and includes conference 

information packet, lunch and 

dinner on Saturday, and breakfast 

on Sunday. 

DEADLINE to register: 

Monday, February 25, 2013 

• No refunds issued after 

February 27, 2013 

Hotel Information: 

Group code “CMCA Conference” 

rate is $79.31 per night (includes taxes) 

Room reservations: 419-874-3111 or 

toll free 800-874-2592 

Online room reservations at hifq.com. 

Group code is “CSA” 

Holiday Inn French Quarter 

10630 Freemont Pike, Route 20. 

Perrysburg, OH 

TO REGISTER: 

Contact Sharon Reese: 614-865-2646 or 800-969-4702, ext. 2646 

or email sreese@ocsea.org 

SAVE 

THE DATE 

LOCAL 

OCSEA’s WAC 


Labor gives back 

Spreading the 

Did you know? Communities that have an increased 

number of union members are more likely to donate to 

charity and are more likely to be involved in their volunteer 

efforts. 

That’s right! Union activists all over the country are leading the 

way when it comes to giving back to their communities. And it 

starts right here at home with OCSEA. 

According to a 2011 Cornell University study, Labor Unions 

and Charity, “data indicates that union member density and union 

local density are positively associated with per capita donations to 

regional United Ways.” 

To: 

From: 

Ohio Veterans Home 

Mansfield & 

Richland Correctional 

Union 

The report concludes that union solidarity functions as a “vehicle” 

for community-based charitable giving. The study also links 

increased unionism and union volunteerism to a reduction in social 

inequality. 

“We know our members have big hearts. We see it all the time 

through the year, but especially this time of year,” said OCSEA Vice 

President Kelvin Jones, who has headed up the OCSEA Board of 

Directors’ toy drive. 

“Our chapters are doing some really great things statewide. 

OCSEA is so proud of how they give back and make their communities 

a better place for all who live there,” said Jones. 

To: 

From: 

Ohio Veterans Home 

Georgetown Chap. 800 

To: 

From: 

Center of Hope 

Mission 

Chap. 6700 

To: 

From: 

The American Red Cross 

Chap. 2500 


Spirit... 

To: 

From: 

Turning Point Domestic 

Violence Services 

OCSEA Board of 

Directors and Staff 

Chapters like Portage Chap. 6700, whose members 

have donated to the Center of Hope Mission in Ravenna 

for more than 15 years; or chapters like Hocking Chap. 

3700, whose members have teamed up with a local business 

to donate over $2,000 to local charities, are shining 

examples of the good work unions do. 

“It has long been established that labor unions reduce 

inequality within the walls of the workplace by compressing 

wage distributions and securing universal benefits,” the 

study concludes. “Embedded in the communities where 

they operate, unions function in part as vehicles for collectivizing 

asset and volunteer resources among their members 

for redistribution to charitable causes.” 

The study also indicated that unionists are more likely 

to volunteer in their communities to provide medical/fire/ 

EMS care, collect and distribute items for families who 

have lost their homes to fire, coach a little league team or 

mentor an at-risk youth. 

To: 

From: 

Ross County 

foster children 

Ross Correctional 

Institution 

To: 

From: 

Knox County 

Food for the Hungry 

Mt. Vernon 

Dixie Chap. 4220 

To: 

From: 

Faith Mission 

BWC Chap. 2535 

To: 

From: 

OSU Scholarships 

Mansfield Leaders 

To: 

From: 

Local Charities 

Hocking Chap. 3700 


OBAMA RE-ELECTED 

OCSEA members rallied together for GOTV efforts, 

volunteering countless hours canvassing and phone banking 

in support of President Obama and other worker-friendly 

candidates in the 2012 election. These dedicated activists 

reached out to 800,000 Ohio voters, both union and 

non-union households during the last few days leading 

up to the election. 

Lee Saunders elected President of AFSCME 

Delegates to the AFSCME 40th International Convention voted 

to replace retiring Pres. Gerald McEntee with native Ohioan and 

former OCSEA member. AFSCME Secy.-Treas. Lee Saunders 

was chosen to lead the union of 1.6 million members. His running 

mate, Laura Reyes, from AFSCME Local 3930, of the United 

Domestic Workers (UDQ) was elected AFSCME Secy.-Treas. 

The war on workers continues... 

The war on workers centered on Wisconsin in 2011, 

with the passing of Gov. Scott Walker's bill to eliminate 

collective bargaining. Despite a valiant effort, the election 

to recall Gov. Walker failed, and the loss of worker's rights 

is being clearly felt by the people of Wisconsin. The battle 

then spread to Ohio with the introduction of Senate Bill 5, 

another attempt to take away bargaining rights of public 

workers. Ohioans came together to defeat SB 5, but 

the battle is far from over. In December 2012, Michigan 

Gov. Rick Snyder quickly signed two "Right to Work" 

laws designed to weaken unions and decimate workers 

rights to collective bargaining, despite protests from the 

Michigan public. As more states jump on the "No Rights at 

Work" bandwagon, could Ohio be far behind? 


Fighting privatization 

In the fight against prison privatization, OCSEA filed 

a lawsuit on behalf of 270 members laid off or otherwise 

negatively affected after the privatization of North Central 

Corrections Institution in Marion and the first-ever sale of 

a prison with Lake Erie Correctional Facility in Conneaut. 

In early 2012, an attempt to privatize the ODOT Sign Shop 

failed, when ODOT officials realized the private contractor 

could not complete the project as quickly or efficiently as 

the Sign Shop. The contract was cancelled, and the work 

was brought back in-house. The fight against privatization 

celebrated another victory in 2012, when Gov. John Kasich 

abandoned his plans to privatize the Ohio Turnpike. 

The fight for fair redistricting 

In a private back-room deal, Ohio politicians redrew 

Congressional and legislative districts in 2010 to benefit themselves, 

ensuring their own re-elections without accountability 

to the voters. But Voters First Ohio fought back, gathering 

750,000 signatures in March of last year to place the Voter's 

First Initiative on the ballot for 2012. The resulting amendment, 

Issue 2, would create a citizen's commission to redraw 

the districts, thus putting the power back in the hands of the 

citizen's, not the politicians. Although Issue 2 was defeated 

on election night, Voters First Ohio says that it will continue to 

reach out to policy makers and organizations such as OCSEA 

that supported Issue 2 to work towards developing a consensus 

on reform. 

GOTV: We will remember in November 

OCSEA activists scored some major victories on election 

night due to the thousands of hours members spent canvassing 

and phone banking during Get Out the Vote efforts in 2012. 

OCSEA led the way nationally in member-to-member outreach 

within the AFSCME family. A major victory for workers, President 

Barack Obama won Ohio and a second term in the White House. 

Due to the efforts of these activists, OCSEA-endorsed, laborfriendly 

candidates were also elected to U.S. House and Senate 

seats, including Senator Sherrod Brown who handily defeated 

challenger Josh Mandel. And a former OCSEA staffer, William 

O'Neill, was elected to serve as the only Democrat on Ohio’s 

Supreme Court. 


What would it take 

to get Ohio on track? 

We’ve seen our youth prison budget 

decimated year after year. Restoring cuts 

ensures that facilities are capable of 

dealing with dangerous juvenile offenders, 

lessening the burden on our communities. 

— Karl Wilkins 

Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility 

As this publication goes to print, Gov. John Kasich is 

preparing to release his proposed 2013-2014 state 

budget. OCSEA continues to petition the Governor and 

General Assembly to restore cuts and raise revenue for quality 

public services. 

But if the past 10 years of slashing agency budgets are any 

indicator, public services could be on the chopping block yet again. 

“Great public services – the work OCSEA members do every day 

– lead to stronger communities, and we need revenue to pay for 

those services,” said OCSEA President Christopher A. Mabe. 

During this upcoming state budget process, OCSEA, and its 

coalition members dedicated to getting Ohio back on track, have 

two core messages: 

1 

2 

In 2005, Ohio legislators tried tax cuts to get 

jobs and growth -- it hasn’t worked! Instead, 

billions of dollars have been cut from services 

including prisons, parks, mental health facilities, 

K-12 education and more. 

More income tax cuts will mean more cuts 

to programs Ohio families rely upon. 

“The governor and legislators need to come up with creative 

and responsible means of raising revenue. Tax cuts for the wealthy 

aren’t working and they’re definitely not trickling down to those 

who need them most,” said Mabe. 

Of course, OCSEA members know the pain of the budget knife 

firsthand. 

Since 2005, cuts have meant: 

A decline of over 1,000 plus Correction Officers who keep 

our prisons and our communities safe 

A 60 percent decrease in Dept. of Youth Services facilities, 

meaning more juvenile offenders are on the streets or 

being housed in unsuitable community settings 

The loss of hundreds of beds, and with them quality 

services, for Ohioans with developmental disabilities 

Massive consolidations of unemployment claim call and 

processing centers during the roughest recession in 

recent history 

A diminished park system, and bare-boned staff for 

upkeep, leaving Ohioans to take their vacation business 

elsewhere 

Facility and prison closures and consolidations 

Closures of walk-in community taxation offices 

Cuts to Ohio Travel Information Centers 

Cuts in essential inspections and regulatory agencies like 

the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the Dept. of Agriculture’s 

food safety division, Commerce’s Industrial Enforcement 

and Consumer Complaints and the Air Quality 

Development Authority 

Although some complain of gridlock in Washington, D.C., oneparty 

rule in many state governments has its consequences, too. 

Thirty-seven of 50 states are controlled by one-party. And, in 24 of 

those states with majorities in both houses and the governorships 

– including in Ohio – anti-government and anti-worker lawmakers 

rule the roost. As a result of this epidemic of one-party rule, drastic 

budget cuts to public services and attacks on worker rights are 

popping up nationally. 

“Consensus – not domination – is key to getting the job done,” 

said Mabe. “I hope Ohio legislators come together to do what’s 

right for Ohio and not continue to try to bully through extreme 

legislation that sends Ohio on a race to the bottom.” 


When is a “tax cut” 

a BAD DEAL? 

Since 2005, tax cuts that largely favored the wealthy 

and big corporations have already decimated public 

services. From closures of prisons and schools, to the 

privatization of roadwork, to the curtailing of sanitation 

and other local services, Ohio communities have been 

hit hard by cuts to public services, without creating one 

thin job. 

Income Category 

Top 1% (>$308,000) 

Next 4% ($135,000 to $308,000) 

Next 15% ($75,000 to $135,000) 

Fourth 20% ($49,000 to $75,000) 

Middle 20% ($32,000 to $49,000) 

Second 20% ($18,000 to $32,000) 

Average Annual Cut 

$692 

$325 

$181 

$1,688 

OCSEA members can attest to that. Cuts, consolidations, 

mergers, closures, layoffs and privatization is what 

OCSEA members have been experiencing these last few 

years. Not only did the 2005 tax cuts not create jobs, but 

they also destroyed the government safety net by cutting 

state agencies far too deeply. 

And now, to add insult to serious injury, Gov. Kasich is 

proposing to do it all over again. He's pushing for a tax 

cut that will again favor the rich and large corporations 

and decimate what few state and local government services 

we have left. 

Sometimes a tax cut just is not a good deal. 

$72 

Lowest 20% (

Happy Birthday 

to the Union Benefits Trust! 

Union Benefits Trust (UBT) was created on 

January 27, 1993 to provide high-quality benefits 

and services to Union-represented public 

employees who work for the State of Ohio. Since that 

time, UBT has offered benefits to union-represented state 

employees, and currently serves approximately 37,000 

employees represented by OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11; 

District 1199/SEIU; Ohio State Troopers Association 

(OSTA); FOP; State Council of Professional Educators 

(SCOPE)/OEA; and Communications Workers of America. 

OCSEA, the largest union representing State of Ohio 

employees, established the UBT through collective bargaining 

in 1993. Collaboratively, the unions believed they could 

administer benefits more efficiently and effectively than 

the state. This belief is realized daily as 97 percent of every 

dollar spent pays directly for member benefits. UBT has 

offered dental, vision and basic life insurance to members 

with NO premium share since 1993. 

OCSEA and the other state unions were right, we can 

and have done it better! 

In 20 years, we have expanded coverage for our 

members – All without charging a premium for Dental, 

Vision and Basic Life. Happy Birthday UBT! Here’s to 

another 20! 

Legal 

Services 

• Adding Legal Plan Option 

• Expanding online help 

documents 

• Expanding civil litigation 

to include pets 

• Adding Identity Theft Defense 

Working 

Solutions 

• Adding Financial Services – 

offering members access to 

certified financial planners 

• Providing convenience 

services to help members 

with work life balance 


UNION MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS 

In UBT’s 20 years, 

we have accomplished: 

Dental 

• Increasing annual maximum 

to $1,500 

• Expanding preventive services 

• Adding wellness benefits 

• Adding second dental network 

• Adding implant coverage 

Life 

• Increasing coverage for 

spouse and children 

• Lowering supplemental life 

rates multiple times 

• Enhancing accelerated 

death benefit 

• Eliminating basic life age 

reduction 

• Adding supp & basic 

life portage feature 

• Enhancing dismemberment 

provision 

Vision 

• Enhancing vision plans 

• Increasing frame allowance 

• Adding polycarbonate and 

progressive lens options 

• Including exam and materials 

every 12 months 

• Adding second vision plan 

Logging in to your MyOCSEA Account 

With the start of the Les 

Best Scholarship season 

and all the new member 

discounts (see pages 20 & 21), there 

are plenty of reasons to sign up for a 

MyOCSEA account. 

Create an 

account 

Don't have 

an account? 

Your first stop is to visit ocsea.org/ 

create-an-account. 

All you need is your full name, 

agency and home zip code. 

TIPS 

If you can’t find a direct match for 

your agency under the drop-down list, 

please choose the closest. For instance, 

if you work in Transportation – District 

4, you would choose “Transportation – 

Central Office” as your agency. 

Don't know your password? 

Head on over to ocsea.org/ 

recover-password if you already have 

an account. Enter in the email address 

you used to create an account, and 

OCSEA will send your password to your 

email. 

TIPS 

Make sure to add noreply@ocsea. 

org to your email address book to 

ensure the message reaches you. 

If it’s been a few minutes and you 

still haven’t received an email, send 

a message requesting your password 

to webmaster@ocsea.org with your 

full name, agency, home zip code and 

email address. 

Update your information 

After you log in, update your email 

address, password, home address and 

telephone number by visiting ocsea.org/ 

members/my-ocsea-account. 


What can you do with a 

MyOCSEA account? 

Apply for scholarships at 

ocsea.org/lesbest 

Access members-only 

benefits and summer 

fun coupons at 

ocsea.org/extras 

Register for trainings at 

ocsea.org/calendar/trainings 

Look up your union 

representatives at ocsea.org/ 

contact/my-contacts 


The rewards 

at work 

Youth leader makes connections 

at State School 

for the Blind 

Melissa Strader, 

Chapter 2529, is 

an up-and-coming 

union activist who spoke with 

OCSEA recently about working 

as a Youth Leader at the Ohio 

State School for the Blind. 

The School for the Blind is 

located on Columbus’ north 

side and is open, at no cost, to 

any resident from Ohio. Melissa 

noted that the school offers an 

important service to Ohioans. 

“We have students of all functional 

levels, and we have all 

of the services that they might 

require – adaptive equipment, 

electronics – housed right 

here.” 

Melissa’s day begins when 

the students get out of school. 

About a third of the students 

live in the dorms during the 

week, and many others stay 

after school to participate in 

extracurricular activities. It’s 

Melissa’s job to make sure 

everyone is accounted for and 

able to get where they’re going. 

She likened the experience to 

having a large family: “Imagine 

having fifteen kids who all come 

in the door at the same time and 

want to tell you about their day. 

It can get very interesting!” 

The close-knit atmosphere 

is one of the reasons Melissa 

considers her position one of 

the most rewarding she’s ever 

had. “In some jobs, you work 

all day long and there’s no real 

outcome. Here, you can watch 

a child grow from seven to 

twenty-two, and know that you 

“ 

All of these 

kids are really 

extremely special 

and incredible in 

their own ways. 

They’re remarkable.” 

~ Melissa Strader 

Youth Leader, 

Ohio State 

School for the Blind 

had a hand in it. It’s like watching 

your own children grow.” 

In fact, Melissa still keeps in 

touch with one of her students, 

Kaylee, who was a graduating 

senior during Melissa’s first year 

as a Youth Leader. “Kaylee is 

the most fabulous girl. She’s 

loving, caring, attentive, 

funny… I just adore her. Her 

mom tells a story about how 

Kaylee didn’t like me when we 

first met, because I didn’t let 

her get away with things. She’s 

so sweet that it’d be easy to just 

bend down and pick up things 

when she dropped them.” 

“Everything is a learning process. 

Things that seeing people 

might take for granted – like 

OCSEA activist, School for the Blind youth leader Melissa 

Strader with her former student Kaylee. 

wiping down a table – become 

very different for the visually 

impaired.” Kaylee graduated 

during Melissa’s first year as a 

Youth Leader, but even during 

that short time she was able 

to see her grow and mature. 

Kaylee is an active volunteer in 

her community. Last summer, 

Melissa had the pleasure of 

seeing Kaylee win a gold medal 

at the Special Olympics in 

Columbus, Ohio. 

“All of these kids are really 

extremely special and incredible 

in their own ways. They’re 

remarkable.” 

Having such a strong connection 

to the work she does made 

Melissa a natural candidate for 

getting more involved with the 

union. “I knew that unions were 

responsible for fair wages and 

weekends, but before I started 

here I questioned whether we 

even needed them anymore. 

Now I realize how necessary 

unions are. The fight isn’t over; 

it’s changed. We’re fighting for 

different things.” 

Between activism, e-board 

activities, and her upcoming 

Steward Training, Melissa’s got 

quite a lot on her plate for a 

relatively new union member. 

“I think I’m going to be a lot 

busier than I thought I would 

be, but I’m excited about it!” 


OCSEA professional 

spotlight Alica 

Kraemer works in 

the Attorney General Office’s Cyber Crimes 

Unit in Richfield, Ohio. Her office, a part of 

the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, assists 

local law enforcement with investigations. 

Kraemer’s unit offers technical expertise 

that most local governments aren’t able to 

deal with on their own. 

The Cyber Crimes Unit isn’t limited only 

to investigating crimes committed online, 

like credit card theft. In fact, more than half 

of their investigations involve violent criminal 

activity. Almost any crime can be committed 

with the aid of a digital device, said 

Kraemer. The Unit provides forensic analysis 

of all digital evidence, search warrant preparation, 

crime scene response and expert 

testimony. 

SAT 23 

Professional 

Spotlight 

Alica Kraemer 

Attorney General’s Office 

Cyber Crimes Unit 

Summit Chap. 7700 

Kraemer says she feels that the work she 

does is very valuable to Ohio. And, for that 

reason, she says it’s important to have a 

strong union. “It’s not a profession where 

you should be racing toward the bottom in 

regard to wages and benefits,” said Kraemer. 

Kraemer became active in her union 

about two years ago. She most recently participated 

in her agency’s contract negotiations, 

as a member of the bargaining team. 

“I thought, my office deserves someone on 

the team who represents them, and I wanted 

to keep them informed on what was happening 

during negotiations,” said Kraemer. 

Members from her office were in high attendance 

at the AG contract road show events 

and contract voting. 

Spring 2013 Education Calendar 

Kraemer says her line of work really 

helped at the bargaining table. “We all had 

a lot to offer, analytical minds. We’d each 

see every issue in a different way, from a 

different angle,” she said. 

The most important thing for Kraemer, 

during bargaining, was keeping the union 

intact: “I fought hard against SB 5, and I 

wasn’t going to let them chip away at my 

union while I was on the bargaining team.” 

“Negotiations takes a lot out of you. But 

we fought hard because it’s our contract, 

our livelihood,” said Kraemer. 

Designed for 

Stewards 

To register for any of the following classes, call the education registration hotline at 800-266-5615, ext. 4772 and 

follow the recorded instructions, or sign up online at www.ocsea.org/education beginning mid-November. 

If you’d like a class for your area and don’t see one currently scheduled on the calendar, contact Pat Hammel at 

800-266-5615, ext. 2654 or phammel@ocsea.org to find out what types of classes are available or to schedule one for 

your area on a just-in-time basis. Once you’ve recruited 10 people to attend a class, the class will be scheduled. 

WED 6 

MON 11 

TUES 19 

THR 28 

MARCH 

Advanced Steward, 6-9pm, 

Hampton Inn, 986 E. State St., 

Athens 


Christopher Conference Center 

(formerly Comfort Inn) 20 N. 

Plaza Blvd., Chillicothe 


Wyndham Garden Dayton 

South, 31 Prestige Plaza Drive, 

Miamisburg 

Basic Steward Part 1&2, 9am- 

4pm, OCSEA, 390 Worthington 

Rd., Westerville - Rm. 195 


OCSEA Headquarters, 390 

Worthington Rd., Westerville - 

Rm. 195 

TUES 2 

MON 22 

WED 24 

THR 25 

SAT 27 

APRIL 

Advanced Steward, 6pm-9pm, 

Baymont Inn & Suites, 61595 

Southgate Rd., Cambridge 

Basic Steward Pt. 1, 6pm-9pm, 

OCSEA, 390 Worthington Rd., 

Westerville - Rm. 195 



Westerville - Rm. 195 

Advanced Steward, 6pm-9pm, 

Holiday Inn (Fairlawn), 4073 

Medina Rd., Akron 

Advanced Steward, 10am-1pm, 


Westerville - Rm.195 

SAT 11 

TUES 14 

THR 16 

WED 29 

THR 30 

MAY 

Designed for 

all Members 

Basic Steward Part 1&2, 9am- 

4pm, OCSEA, 390 Worthington 

Rd., Westerville - Rm. 195 


Holiday Inn French Quarters, 

10630 Freemont Pike, Perrysburg 


Holiday Inn French Quarters, 

10630 Freemont Pike, Perrysburg 


OCSEA Headquarters, 390 

Worthington Rd., Westerville - 

Rm. 195 

Advanced Steward, 6-9pm, Holiday 

Inn (Toledo), 1705 Tallgate 

Dr., Maumee 


SUBORDINATE BODY MEETINGS & ELECTION NOTICES - WINTER 2013 

Assemblies 

EPA Assembly 

March 9 E-Board: 9:30a.m. 

Meeting: 10a.m.-1p.m. 


Westerville 

Industrial Commission Assembly 

April 6 Election: 10-10:15a.m. 


Westerville 

Electing: President, Vice President, 

Secretary/Treasurer, 

4 Executive Board 

ODJFS Assembly 

April 6 Meeting: 10a.m.-12p.m. 


Westerville 

Districts 

District 5 

March 27 

& April 24 

District 8 

May 6 

Chapters 

Meeting: 6:30-8:30p.m. 

Theo's Restaurant, 632 Wheeling Ave. 

Cambridge 

Meeting: 6-6:30p.m. 

Hampton Inn 986 East State St., Athens 

Allen County Chap. 0200 

March 14 Meetings: 5:30p.m. 

& May 16 UAW Local 2075, 

1440 Bellfontaine Ave., Lima 

Cuyahoga Highway Chap. 1804 

March 27 Nominations: 4:30-4:45p.m. 

Election: 4:45-5p.m. 

Runoff: 5-5:30p.m. 

ODOT District 2, 

5500 Transporation Blvd., Garfield Hts. 

Electing: President, Vice President,Secretary/ 

Treasurer, 4 Executive Board, 

1 District and 1 Assembly delegate 

Chapters 

Central Ohio Chap. 2513 

March 14 Meetings: 5-6:30p.m. 

Hilltop Library 511 S. Hague Ave. Columbus 

Lucas Chap. 4800 

May 7 

Nominations: 6:15-6:30p.m. 

Election: 6:30-6:45p.m. 

Runoff: 6:45-7p.m. 

AFSCME Council 8 Union Hall, 

420 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo 

Electing: President, Vice President, Secretary, 

Treasurer, 5 Executive Board 

PCI Chap. 6550 

March 5 

Nominations: 5:30-6:30a.m. 

and 1:30-2:30p.m. 

PCI Main Building, 11781 Ohio 762, Orient 

March 25, Election: 5:15- 8 a.m. 

27 & 29 1:15-4:30 p.m. 

PCI Main Building, 11781 Ohio 762, Orient 

Electing: President, Vice President,Secretary, 

Treasurer, 3 Executive Board, 

1 District and 1 Assembly delegate 

Stark Chap. 7600 

March 6 Meetings: 5:30p.m. 

& May 1 ODJFS, 402 Second St. S.E. 

Canton 

Summit Chap. 7700 

March 6 E-Board: 5:30-7:30p.m. 

Aladdins Eatery 3895 Medina Rd., Akron 

April 3 E-Board: 5:30-8 p.m. 

PF Changs at Summit Mall, 

3265 W. Market St., Suite 100A, Akron 

May 1 E-Board: 5:30-8 p.m. 

Mustard Seed Market, 

3885 W. Market St., Akron 

March 13 Meetings: 5:30-7:30pm 

April 10 & VFW Firestone Post 3383, 

May 8 690 West Waterloo Rd., Akron 

Submitting A Meeting Notice 

Next Issue: Spring 2013 

Last Day to Submit Notice: March 29, 2013 

Earliest 15-day Meeting Date: May 18, 2013 

More Upcoming Issues: 

Summer 2013 

Last Day to Submit Notice: July 3, 2013 

Earliest 15-day Meeting Date: Aug 24, 2013 

Fall 2013 

Last Day to Submit Notice: Sept 18, 2013 

Earliest 15-day Meeting Date: Nov 9, 2013 

To schedule an event online, 

go to ocsea.org > Calendar 

Meeting and election notices can also be 

mailed to: IT Secretary Sha Cone, 

OCSEA 390 Worthington Rd., 

Suite A, Westerville, OH 43082, 

OR faxed to 614-865-4032. 

CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY: Per the 

subordinate body Constitution Article VI, 

Section 8: “Circumstances such as receipt 

of workers’ compensation benefits, disability 

benefits, assignment to project staff, etc. 

may affect your eligibility to run for office in 

this election. If you are considering running 

for any office, executive board, or a delegate 

position, please contact OCSEA central office 

prior to the nomination date.” 

Fairfield-Perry Chap. 2320 

April 8 Meeting: 6:30-8:30p.m. 

Top Hat Restaurant 202 W. Main St., 

Junction City 


OCSEA is proud of the chapters and 

activists who gave their time, money 

and hearts to their communities in 

2012. Chapters like Mount Vernon Dixie Chap. 

4220, whose members collected gifts for teenagers 

and volunteered for the Knox County Food for the 

Hungry reflect good on all union members. 

Each year, OCSEA recognizes members and 

subordinate bodies who go above and beyond 

with acts of service, volunteerism, contributions 

and heroism. The OCSEA Horizon Award is presented 

to nominees that have positively impacted 

Guidelines: 

The OCSEA Board of Directors’ Membership and Public 

Relations Committee serves as the panel of judges and 

focuses on the following criteria when reviewing nominations: 

• Is the nominee a current OCSEA member or subordinate 

body (chapter, district or assembly)? 

• Does the nominator demonstrate how the service or act 

positively affected individuals or the community as a whole? 

• Are there letters of support and personal testimony that 

describe the nominee’s community service or acts of heroism? 

• Does personal testimony describe how the act affected 

the nominator or the community? 

• Was the service work or act of heroism performed 

within one year of the application deadline? 

individuals or their community as a whole. This 

includes service conducted on a local, state or 

national level. 

The winner of the 2012 Horizon Award will be 

honored at an OCSEA Board of Directors’ meeting 

and will also receive a contribution to the charity 

of their choice in the amount of $500. 

Know of a chapter or member deserving of 

this award? Complete the nomination form below 

or download the form at ocsea.org/horizon. 

Submission deadline is April 1, 2013. 

for outstanding 

community service 

char·i·ty [char-i-tee] 

noun, plural -ties. 

1. generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, 

or helpless: to devote one's life to charity. 

2. something given to a person or persons in need; 

alms: She asked for work, not charity. 

3. a charitable act or work. 

4. a charitable fund, foundation, or institution: He left his 

estate to a charity. 

5. benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need 

or in disfavor: She looked so poor that we fed her out of 

charity. 

Horizon Nomination Form 

Nominee _______________________________________ 

Describe the nominee’s community 

service work or act of heroism. 

Use additional sheets if necessary. 

Address________________________________________ 

(city/state/zip) _____________________________ 

Telephone (home) _______________(work) ___________ 

Nominator ______________________________________ 

Telephone (home) ______________(work)_____________ 

Email (home) ____________________________________ 

Nominations must include letters of support. 

Are letters included? m Yes m No 

Send to: 

OCSEA Communications Dept. 

390 Worthington Rd. – Ste. A, 

Westerville, OH 43082-8331 

Nominations must be 

mailed or postmarked 

no later than 

April 1, 2013. 

ocsea.org/horizon 


It's 

schol a rsh i p 

time! 

2013 Les Best Scholarship Fund 

The Les Best Scholarship Program provides eight 

to ten scholarships, totaling $12,000, to OCSEA 

members, their spouses and dependent children 

every year. 

Online and mail-in applications are available at 

ocsea.org/lesbest. 

Get started on your application today! Applications and 

all supporting materials (transcripts, references) must be 

received by April 30, 2013. 

Apply in one of three categories: 

Members’ College Scholarship 

($500 - $2,000 each) 

For dues-paying OCSEA members who are entering or 

already enrolled in college at least-part time, seeking an 

undergraduate degree. 

(Applicants for the member’s college scholarship are automatically 

considered for one of two $250 scholarships for 

textbooks made possible through the Pat Callanan-Castro 

Memorial Book Fund. 

Dependents’ College/Vocational Scholarship ($1,000 - 

$2,000 each) 

For dependent children of dues-paying OCSEA members 

who are entering or already enrolled full-time in a college, 

university, vocational school, trade school, 

technical school, or union apprenticeship. 

Spouses’ College Scholarship 

($500 - $1,000 each) 

For spouses of dues-paying OCSEA 

members who are entering or already 

enrolled in college at least-part time, 

seeking an undergraduate degree. 

Apply online or download 

applications at ocsea.org/lesbest 

or call 800-266-5615, ext. 4777. 

Les Best Application Checklist 

Step 1: Create a MyOCSEA online account 

Step 2: Fill out the Les Best Scholarship 

Application online 

Step 3: Submit a 500 – 1,000 word personal 

essay in response to the prompt, 

“How do unions, such as OCSEA/ 

AFSCME, benefit working families, 

their local communities and the 

economy?” 

Step 4: Mail your acceptance letter or proof 

of enrollment for Fall 2013 to OCSEA 

Step 5: Submit the academic or professional 

reference form 

Step 6: Provide a current academic 

transcript (Dependents only) 

Step 7: Submit your SAT or ACT scores. 

(Dependents only, not applicable to 

students enrolling in vocational 

school) 

Visit OCSEA.org/LesBest for more details. 




NEW DISCOUNTS for 2013! 

E 

ach 

year OCSEA provides exclusive discounts and additional 

benefits for our members and their families. The 

result is the OCSEA Member's Extras Booklet (see 

Extras insert). These exclusive benefits for OCSEA members and 

their families includes discounts on everything from family entertainment 

venues, resorts and college tuition. 

Watch the pages of the Public Employee Quarterly, our website 

and facebook page at facebook.com/ocsea for more benefit 

updates and additions. To download Extras discount coupons and 

learn more about these benefits, visit ocsea.org/extras. 

African Safari 

Wildlife Park 

Located in Port Clinton 

near Sandusky, this drive-thru 

park allows up close and 

personal encounters with 

a wide range of animals. 

OCSEA members can 

download coupons to 

save up to $10 per ticket. 

Velocity Archery Range 

Located in SW Columbus, this 

family oriented archery range offers 

three different shooting stakes, and 

a separate kid's 3-D shooting range. 

Velocity Archery Range offers open 

shooting weekdays and Saturdays as 

well as personal instruction by appointment, leagues, 

competition shoots and comfortable lounge areas for 

spectators. OCSEA members save $1 per hour range 

fee and receive half-price bow rentals. 

Rule 3 

Rule 3 in Pickerington 

is your family fun destination, 

with 14 lanes of 

state-of-the-art bowling, 

billiards, arcade, darts, 

volleyball and more. 

Members can download 

coupons to save on dining, 

bowling, and the arcade. 

Greater Cleveland 

Aquarium 

Featuring more than 

40 tanks of all sizes, the 

exhibits will fascinate and 

entertain the whole family, 

and OCSEA members can 

purchase discounted tickets 

online, saving $4 per 

ticket. 

Inn at Cedar Falls, Glenlaurel Scottish Country 

Inn and Hideway Country Inn 

Located in Logan, Rockbridge and Bucyrus respectively, these 

cozy inns offer the ultimate retreats for couples. Visit ocsea.org/ 

extras to view the discounts available to OCSEA members. 


GOTV 

OCSEA members hit the streets 

Volunteers from OCSEA chapters spent countless hours 

phone banking, rallying and canvassing in support of 

labor-friendly candidates and Issue 2 for fair legislative 

districts. From retirees to active members, and even their children, 

OCSEA members answered the call, spending their time 

and energy contacting union and non-union households, urging 

them to vote. Members also encouraged voters to take advantage 

of early voting opportunities across Ohio. Together, OCSEA and 

AFSCME reached out to over 800,000 Ohio voters, helping secure 

victory for President Barack Obama, Sen. Sherrod Brown and 

others. 

v 1. 

22 Public Employee Quarterly 

Winter 2013 

Fall 2012

Early voting gets an assist, 

activists attend inauguration 

Over 230 churches in conjunction 

with OCSEA and other organizations 

across Ohio used church 

vans and car pools to drive congregations 

to the polls during the “Souls to the Polls” 

initiative. 

Taking advantage of Ohio’s Early Voting 

hours, thousands of churchgoers were 

shuttled to the polls by OCSEA leaders and 

others after Sunday services Nov. 4 to cast 

their votes. 

More than 68,000 early votes were cast 

in Ohio in 2012, far exceeding the early 

votes cast during the 2008 election. 

To celebrate, OCSEA activists boarded 

buses in January, to attend the Inauguration 

of President Obama. 

Winter 2013 Public Public Employee Quarterly 23

LOCAL 

AFL-CIO 

Ohio Civil Service 

Employees Association 

390 Worthington Road, Ste. A 

Westerville, OH 43082-8331 

COVER STORY 

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY 

W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 

feature stories 

2-3 

Could it happen here in Ohio? 

4 

5 

departments 

6 

17 

18 

FROM THE PRESIDENT 

EDUCATION CALENDAR 

MEETING NOTICES 

8-9 

Labor gives back 

10-11 

12-13 

What would it take 

to get Ohio on track? 

14-15

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE QUARTERLY - OCSEA

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