OAPSE and AFSCME members fought for decades to repeal the unfair GPO and WEP provisions that cut Social Security benefits for retirees who worked in the public sector. The Social Security Fairness Act ended these devastating cuts.

This week, the Social Security Administration announced it will “immediately” begin paying retroactive benefits and increasing monthly benefits for retirees previously affected by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) or the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, and higher monthly benefits should be reflected in April.

“The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible,” Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, said in a statement.

If you have become eligible for retirement benefits since Jan. 5 or had not applied because of WEP or GPO, you should see accurate payments when you apply and start collecting benefits. 

Beneficiaries can visit SSA’s dedicated website to learn more about the Fairness Act and see updates on the agency’s progress.

OAPSE and AFSCME members played a critical role in the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act. Now more than ever, OAPSE members will be able to retire with the dignity they deserve and the benefits they have earned.

You can find the full, original article here.

Today, we are focused on calling some of the Eastland-Fairfield Board members. We want to make sure these members know just how much support the students, parents, and community have for Local 686 members during their strike. Show your support by making a call or two.

We are asking Board members to do their part to make sure there is a settlement at the negotiating meeting on the 20th. Let’s end this strike and get back to focusing on the students of Eastland-Fairfield.

Joyce Galbraith: Cell Phone – 614-397-1658

Landline – 614-836-2837

Mary Pierce: Landline – 614-837-6952

Barry Alcock: Cell Phone – 614-402-3780

Landline – 614-836-2423 Other – 614-795-1244

Anne Darling-Cyphert: Landline – 614-833-9030

Call Superintendent Shelly Groves (614-836-4530 ext. 1332) and let her know OAPSE members, school employees and the community stand together. Give Local 686 the fair wages and dignity they deserve on the 20th. Call: 614-836-4530 ext. 1332

Other administrators to contact:

Dawn Lemley, Treasurer: (614) 836-4530 ext. 1513

Jennifer Blackstone, Assistant Superintendent: (614) 836-4530 ext. 1503

You can also email the Eastland-Fairfield Board and ask them to end the strike on the 20th.

• Board President Bill McGowan: [email protected]
• Jean Parker: [email protected]
• Mandy Young: [email protected]
• Dion Manley: [email protected]
• Barry Alcock: [email protected]
• Joyce Galbraith: [email protected]
• Mary Pierce: [email protected]
• Anne Darling Cyphert: [email protected]
• Leo Knoblauch: [email protected]
• Superintendent Shelly Groves: [email protected]

Eastland Fairfield, [OH], February 4, 2025 – The Office of the Superintendent of Eastland Fairfield Career & Technical Schools (EFCTS) has scheduled the next negotiation session for February 20, 2025, more than two weeks from today. This decision comes amid an ongoing strike by members of OAPSE Local #686, which began on January 7, 2025.

Since the commencement of the strike, there have been numerous reports and documented evidence of deteriorating conditions within the school facilities, including moldy and substandard food being provided to our students. Despite the urgent need for resolution, the Superintendent’s office has cited a busy schedule as the reason for the delayed negotiation.

“The idea that our students’ well-being and the livelihoods of our staff are put on hold due to scheduling conflicts is absurd,” said, Sean Dahl, OAPSE Field Representative. “Every day that this strike continues is another day our community suffers. We find the delay in negotiations unacceptable and a clear disregard for the urgency of the situation.”

OAPSE Local #686 remains ready and willing to negotiate at any time and any place to bring an end to the strike swiftly and ensure the restoration of quality education and services to our schools. We urge the EFCTS administration to prioritize these negotiations over other engagements and address the pressing issues at hand.

Contact Information: Sean Dahl, Field Representative, OAPSE Cell: (614)560-4914 Email: [email protected]

With public schools in the government cross hairs at the state and federal levels, OAPSE members have been asking the same question. Who are my legislators and how do I get a hold of them? Below are links to find your specific representatives and how to contact them.

You can find your Ohio State House Representative here: District Map | Ohio House of Representatives

You can find your Ohio State Senator here: Find Your Senator | Ohio Senate

You can find your U.S. House Representative here: Find Your Representative | house.gov

You can find your U.S. Senator(s) here: U.S. Senate: Contacting U.S. Senators

Congratulations to OAPSE State President Lois Carson, State Vice President Mike Lang, and State Secretary Sheila Dawkins-Flinn on their election to a new four-year term as the team that will lead our union.

State Nominating Committee Chair Bev Payne announced the results of the election after nominations closed on January 15.

“Our current state officers were the only ones nominated. Therefore, they will be sworn in for a full term at the OAPSE Executive Board Meeting in May 2025,” Payne said in her letter to presidents and district officers.

Carson, Lang and Dawkins-Flinn will continue to serve together in the top union offices. This will be their first full term together.

“We are very humbled and honored to serve the members of OAPSE, and we pledge to work hard each day to make sure every single person we represent is treated with justice and fairness – especially in the tough times we are facing now and in the near future,” said Carson.