Safety and security officers at City of Columbus Schools voted overwhelmingly to become part of OAPSE and are now members of Local 581. They have already negotiated a new contract with management that won them huge wage increases and strong contract language. All officers were brought up to the highest pay rate and will receive 4 percent pay increases and $2,000 bonuses administered in four payments. Bidding procedures were vastly improved, and overtime will be given to officers before supervisors.

Local 581 President David Wellborn said forming a union has been life-changing for the 130 members.

Wellborn was a juvenile corrections officer at the Department of Youth Services (DYS) and came to Columbus City Schools as a way to reach students before they end up incarcerated in a DYS facility.

“I love the work here – reaching kids at school and helping them. But I’ve always known we needed a union here. I come from union, so I knew what a difference it makes to have a voice and get to the table to negotiate. We got a really favorable contract that gives our members a lot more money and more power at work,” Wellborn said.

Check out the video below to hear more about David and the new union contract.

“This is a huge win for these hard-working employees. The strength and power they got by joining OAPSE meant a big difference for them and allowed them to negotiate improvements across-the-board,” said Andre Washington, the Local 581 field representative who helped negotiate the contract.

Safety and Security Officer Trey Fowlkes was instrumental in organizing his coworkers, signing many of them up on blue organizing cards. He said he was still on probation when he started organizing but was so determined to get a union that he continued to approach other officers.

“I came from a union, from the railroad,” said Fowlkes, who is now the Local 518 treasurer. “I wanted the union here so we can hold management accountable. Before we got the union, management could just change our working conditions with an email.”

Fran Simmons, vice president of the new local, explained her reason for joining the union this way: “I wanted to be a member of the union for job security, to have backing to negotiate a fair contract and wages. I also wanted to take advantage of the educational opportunities for myself as well as my children.”

When more than 90 percent of eligible workers signed cards, management agreed to recognize the union without an election.

“We are thrilled to have these new members, and we will be adding more officers to the local as the district continues to hire them,” Washington said.

OAPSE members can be proud today (and every day) about the important work they do to educate Ohio students.

Today, that critical work was recognized for two OAPSE members who significantly impact their schools and their communities.

Beverly Payne, a secretary at Crestline Village Local Schools and a member of Local 416, and Kristy Adams, an educational aide at Wickliffe City Schools and a member of Local 196, have been selected by the Ohio Department of Education as the state finalists for the Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award.

Bev and Kristy will join finalists from across the country as the U.S. Department of Education selects a winner for the national RISE Award in April 2024.

The Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award was created by Congress in 2019 and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education.  This award honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service to their school communities.

Bev and Kristy certainly do that!

Kristy joined the Wickliffe staff in 2017. She was nominated by her principal at the high school for her actions that promote a caring environment in the district. Principal Shyla Urban said of Kristy:

She is extremely involved in the school and community on a variety of levels. She has helped to create a successful “Back to School Bash” where low-income students can collect school supplies, food, school clothing, and haircuts before the first day of school. As a certified cosmetologist, she has rallied other community members to get together to offer free haircuts to kids who cannot afford one. She also has started an initiative called Kindland, connecting our school and community by spreading Kindness throughout.

Mrs. Adams is a leader among our students, staff, and parents by not only creating a culture of Kindness, but she has also helped to develop a course that gives students a platform to discuss difficult topics such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transgender, among many others. From these conversations, the course has created Community Circles where they invite the rest of the students and staff to participate in activities to bring these topics to light. She is the person who students turn to when they need someone to talk to because they know they can trust her. She cares about kids! She is a change agent. She is BEYOND valuable at Wickliffe High School.

Kristy is also the assistant girls’ soccer coach at Wickliffe High School and was named Assistant Coach of the Year this fall by the Greater Cleveland Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.

Congratulations, Kristy!

Bev joined Crestline Village Local Schools nearly 39 years ago and is THE go-to person in the school district to find answers, assistance and direction.

A leader in OAPSE, Bev was nominated by State President Lois Carson. Bev is the OAPSE executive board member from North Central District and is district treasurer. She has served the members of Local 416 in many roles and is often the person union members rely on for expertise and information.

Bev received letters of recommendation from the district superintendent, her elementary principal and Crestline’s mayor. In addition, many village leaders offered testimonials on Bev’s work in the community.

She began her career substituting as an aide and a bus driver. She followed that with time as a study hall monitor and an in-school suspension aide. But, for most of her nearly four decades in service to Crestline children and families, she has worked as a secretary. Currently, Bev works as an elementary school secretary, where she also is responsible for the preschool and the transportation secretarial duties. Bev really is the “center of the wheel” in her school and district. “Mama Payne” is the one her co-workers come to for help, advice and direction. She assists parents who call with questions about bus routes, teachers, schedules and everything related to Crestline Schools. And her experience with all facets of the school system – including relationships built over a lifetime of living and working in Crestline – makes her an exceptional team member who administrators rely on to make the district the best it can be.

When Bev sees a need or a challenge, she takes charge and meets it. Her no-nonsense approach to problem solving earned her the title of “Sergeant Payne” in Crestline, where she helps lead the annual Harvest Festival and where she serves as an elected member of Village Council. Bev partners with community leaders of all political persuasions to make life better for families in the village she has called home all her life. She doesn’t believe in complaining. She believes in taking action toward improvement. And she unites people to get the job done!

Bev is beloved in Crestline because she is a kind, compassionate, tireless giver of her time, energy and love to students, families and neighbors. She is simply the best.

Way to go, Bev!

OAPSE is proud of Kristy and Bev.

A huge benefit only for OAPSE members is the opportunity for your child or a child for whom you are legal guardian to be awarded a $2,500 scholarship to pursue education after high school.

This year, the OAPSE/AFSCME Memorial Scholarship Committee has added trade schools as institutions that qualify as acceptable places for higher education awards. To receive a scholarship award, graduating seniors must intend to enroll in a full-time degree program in any two (2) or four (4) year accredited university, college, business, technical or accredited trade school. The scholarships may be used for any field of study.

“This opens up education after high school to lots of students who want to pursue something other than a 2-year or 4-year degree. We’re really happy about this change, and we think it will impact many OAPSE families,” said Stephanie Wiley, chair of the OAPSE/AFSCME Memorial Scholarship Committee,

She noted that the scholarship application period runs from December 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023, and encouraged all OAPSE members with graduating seniors to apply.

“You have nothing to lose by applying, and $2,500 is a lot of money. It can be the difference between affording college or trade school or not.”

You can find all the details about the scholarship and the application under Benefits of Membership or click here.

Remember, this is a members-only benefit. So if you need a membership application, check with your local president!

If you are already a members, go to the MyOAPSE page and find the application under My Benefits/Scholarships

And good luck!

Hey OAPSE members! Because you belong to the union, you and your family are eligible for the free college program. You can take classes on your own time and earn an associate’s and even a bachelor’s degree. Spring registration is open for the free college program. To get started and get all the details, go to www.oapseeducation.org and begin your education journey today!

Remember, this is just one of the many members-only benefits you get because you belong to OAPSE. Take advantage of it and apply today. And thanks for Sticking with the Union!