OAPSE

AFSCME

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Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Just as OAPSE is working with state and local leaders to protect our members during this time of uncertainty due to the coronavirus and the shutdown of public services like schools, head starts, departments of developmental disabilities and other vital agencies, AFSCME International is working with congressional leaders to do the same.

Of course, some public services — such as libraries and some head start agencies and some residential services — remain open as of today. But whether you are at work or at home, you are affected by the virus and the government’s response to it.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law on March 18. This law is urgently needed to help communities respond to and weather the disruption from COVID-19 but it is not a complete response to help working families. Click below for highlights of key provisions in the law and some of its limits.

And know that OAPSE and AFSCME will keep fighting for our members all the way through this health crisis.

Families First COVID-19 Act

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Critical Update about the Coronavirus

This message has been sent to all OAPSE members for whom we have an email address. Please pass it along to coworkers and union sisters and brothers. And encourage them to sign up for email alerts by going to www.oapse.org or by clicking here.

To: OAPSE Leaders and Members

From: OAPSE Executive Director Joe Rugola

Re: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency

In light of the crisis surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19), our union has been in ongoing discussions with the office of Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) about the ramifications of closing schools and other public agencies. We want to share with you our conclusions about those conversations and the agreements we have reached.

First, we fully support the governor’s decisions as to how Ohio should deal with this emergency. It is our belief that his actions to date are the most appropriate for our hopes of slowing the transmission of this disease. We will remain in constant contact with his office and the ODE on the next steps to be taken.

Second, the governor has closed the schools to students but has not yet ordered our members to stay at home. This is absolutely the correct decision, since some vital services must be provided during the duration of the closing of our schools. Any of our members whose work is deemed essential to the operations of the schools must report to work. The obvious exception would be for anyone who is ill or otherwise has a legitimate excuse for missing work.

Third, this is not to be considered a typical calamity closing. The governor has declared that our members will be paid their regular rate of pay through April 3, when this initial closing period expires, regardless of whether they are required to work. This is to the obvious benefit of our members, who will not be required to use any other form of leave for that period of time.

Fourth, we will be continuing our discussions with the governor and the ODE to prepare for a possible additional closing period after April 3.

Finally, we must keep in mind that services to the children of Ohio and to the citizens served by the other agencies we represent, is the reason our jobs exist in the first place. We have an obligation to place that responsibility above every other consideration, and we will do so as long as we are called upon to help Ohio get through this challenging time.

Thank you.

Centers for Disease Control

Ohio Department of Health

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Virtual Rally for Public Schools Postponed

 

The virtual rally for public schools is postponed. We will announce a date and details when they are known.

In response to concerns about coronavirus, we are adjusting our plans for the Rally for Public Schools on March 18.

We will not be holding an in-person rally at the statehouse. Instead, we will be holding a “virtual rally” at 3:30 pm on March 18 to kick off two weeks of action in support of the students in our public schools. 

This tele-conference will display the breadth of our public schools coalition, update attendees on the voucher crisis in our school districts, and engage activists in concrete next steps to protect public education. 
We need to organize mass support for the vouchers policy changes in the House version of Senate Bill 89 before April 1st. If that deadline passes without legislative action, 1200 schools around the state will qualify for EdChoice vouchers and school districts will face budget shortfalls due to voucher deductions. 

 

Partner organizations: Ohio Federation of Teachers, Ohio Education Association, Ohio School Boards Association, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, Ohio Association of School Business Officials, Ohio Association of Public School Employees – AFSCME, AFSCME – Council 8, League of Women Voters, Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding

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Register for the 77th OAPSE Conference!

OAPSE members will gather in Cincinnati May 13-15 for the 77th OAPSE/AFSCME Delegate Conference.

We will meet at the Westin Cincinnati, 21 E. 5th St., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, 513-621-7700. Opening ceremonies will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, and the conference will conclude at about noon on Friday, May 15.

ROOM RATES and RESERVATIONS

We have negotiated special room rates at the Westin:

Single/Double: $198.58 per night, including all city and state taxes

Triple: $222.08, including all city and state taxes

Quad: $245.58, including all city and state taxes

Reservation Deadline is April 15, 2020. The Westin will not honor the room rate if reservations are made after that date.

Click HERE to go to OAPSE’s room registration page for the Westin Cincinnati.

You may also call 1-800-937-8461 to speak to the Westin reservation staff.

If you encounter any difficulty booking rooms, please call the OAPSE state office at 1-800-786-2773. We will work with you to ensure you get a room. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK AT ANOTHER HOTEL BEFORE CALLING THE STATE OFFICE.

Valet parking is available for $40 per night. The self-park rate is $21 per night.

More information will be sent once we receive delegate rosters and know who will be attending conference.

DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE SELECTION TO CONFERENCE

Local presidents have received letters about delegate and alternate selection to conference, including how many delegates and alternates your local is entitled to and the relevant dates for elections of those representatives to conference.

If you are a local president and have not received your letter or you have questions about how to complete the delegate roster form, please contact Kelly Congrove at 1-800-786-2773 for assistance.

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE DATES

January 14, 2020:  Elections of Local Delegates may begin

February 13, 2020:  Deadline for submitting resolutions

March 13, 2020:  Deadline for Delegate Roster to be returned to the OAPSE/AFSCME State Office

April 15, 2020:  Deadline for making room reservations at the Westin Cincinnati

May 13-15, 2020:  Delegate Conference

If you have any questions or need more information, please call the state office at 1-800-786-2773, and we will be happy to help.

 

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Register for March Classes at EGCC — for free!

Deadline Approaching for Free College Program 
FREE AND REDUCED-COST COLLEGE 

It’s time to register for classes! You and your family can go to college for free, so don’t miss the chance to register for spring classes.

More than 1,000 OAPSE members have taken advantage of the union’s free-college benefit. The benefit allows you and your family members to earn an associate degree online from a public, accredited community college – with no out-of-pocket costs to you. You can also access discounted college programs and low-cost four-year degrees. This can save you thousands of dollars. And the process is simple.

Just click here for more information about how to get started. You must apply by March 16, but we will help you with all the next steps.

And watch the video below for a reminder about how the free college program can impact the lives of OAPSE members.

OAPSE Higher Education Program
OAPSE Higher Education Program