​**IMPORTANT**

​

2024 - 2027 OCSEA Contract
 

A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) Beer and Brats

Friday, June 13, 2025 - 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

UFCW Local 1059 Union Hall, 4150 E. Main Street, Columbus, Ohio

​​

Save Public Services (Flyer)

 

Statewide Grievance Over Return to Office is Heading to Mediation

OCSEA continues to push back on Governor DeWine’s Return to Office executive order and stand up for its members who’ve been impacted by the change. The statewide grievance the union filed against the Governor’s RTO order is now scheduled for mediation on June 23, 2025. OCSEA contends that management does not have the unilateral authority to eliminate or modify telework, and RTO represents a significant change to the terms and condition of employment that should have been negotiated with the union.
 
Both sides agreed to have Arbitrator Thomas Nowel serve as the mediator for the next step in the grievance process. Nowel, who served as the Fact Finder during the most recent contract negotiations, is familiar with the telework issue. It was Nowel who recommended a new section in the contract (13.17) regarding Telework/Remote Work/Hybrid Schedule that requires management to put in writing the reason for the denial of a request for telework, remote work or hybrid schedule. The new contract section also requires management to give advance notice and provide a detailed reason for the termination of approved telework and hybrid schedules.
 
Mediators attempt to work out a settlement that’s acceptable to both sides through an informal process that does not include witnesses. If the two parties are unable to reach a settlement, the mediator will make a non-binding advisory opinion, and the grievance may proceed to arbitration.

​

​

AFSCME: The Federal Budget Bill Will Blow a Big Hole in Medicare

If the federal budget bill that is being debated in Washington becomes law, it could lead to huge cuts to Medicare. About $500 billion in cuts.

​

But what does it mean? 

​

It means nearly 70 million older Americans, low-income adults and people with disabilities would find it harder to access health care. Medicare recipients may find it harder to locate doctors and hospitals or keep their current physicians, especially in smaller towns and communities. 

 

We know the U.S. House-passed bill takes a sledgehammer to Medicaid, the food assistance program known as SNAP, and other crucial programs. The cuts to Medicare benefits are hidden. Though they are not specified in the bill, the Medicare cuts would be triggered by the $2.3 trillion in deficits that the legislation would create.  

​

Why? Because of a law that requires automatic cuts to programs like Medicare if Congress passes legislation that blows such a giant hole in the federal deficit. 

​

The cuts to Medicare and Medicaid would reduce access to medical care for millions of Americans. For instance, these cuts would make it harder for struggling community hospitals, especially in rural America, to survive.  

​

These cuts will hurt more than just the people who are on Medicare. Their families will struggle to care for them. Working people who receive health insurance from their employers may face higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs. That’s because doctors and hospitals may try to charge them more to make up the difference if Medicare pays them less.  

​

We must stop this cruel bill from passing the Senate. Text GO to 237263 to get alerts and learn how you can join the fight and Get Organized.

​​​​

​

New Membership Card Signatures

Please visit OCSEA.org and log into your account to sign a new membership card.  If you don't have an account, you can sign up for one and sign your new membership card.  When you sign up and provide your personal email address, you will receive all the latest information regarding our union directly from OCSEA.

​

​​

• Affiliation Meeting Dates and Locations

• OCSEA - AFSCME News Updates​

​