We are overjoyed to share a monumental achievement for public service workers and retirees across the nation. After decades of dedicated advocacy, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed the Social Security Fairness Act, fully repealing the unjust Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). With this critical legislation soon to be signed into law by President Biden, we are ensuring fairness and dignity for millions of retirees.

OAPSE’s Leadership in Action

This victory stands as a powerful testament to the perseverance and unity of OAPSE members and leaders. Our Executive Director, Joe Rugola, has dedicated almost 35 years to championing this cause, mobilizing our members, and amplifying their voices to effect change. Joe has also testified before Congress several times, advocating vigorously for the repeal of these unfair provisions.

Retired OAPSE leader Barb Ward’s personal story, courageously shared on Capitol Hill and highlighted by Senator Sherrod Brown during the final weeks of this legislative session, became a pivotal symbol in our campaign for repeal. Barb, a 73-year-old bus driver from Fairland Local Schools in Ohio, detailed the devastating financial impact of GPO on her and over 100,000 Ohioans. Barb receives a reduced survivor benefit from Social Security due to GPO. Her testimony underscored the harsh realities faced by low-wage workers, particularly women, who are disproportionately affected by these provisions. Thanks to the repeal, Barb is now expecting her monthly Social Security survivor benefit to increase from less than $600 to approximately $2,100, reflecting a significant boost to her retirement income and providing her with the financial security her husband intended. Like Barb, thousands of Ohioans and OAPSE members saw devastating reductions in their Social Security payments. With these reductions now repealed, some retirees will see more than $10,000 a year in benefits restored!

Alongside Barb, key figures such as OAPSE State President Lois Carson, Vice President Mike Lang, and Secretary Sheila Dawkins-Flinn played crucial roles. Their regular visits to Washington to pressure Congress were instrumental in securing this victory. “Sheila chaired our committee that led to this effort,” said Carson. “She and Mike worked tirelessly to finally win the repeal of these awful laws.”

Acknowledging Our Champions

This victory would not have been possible without the steadfast support of champions like Senator Sherrod Brown, who has been a tireless advocate for public service workers. Notably, Senator Brown has historically co-sponsored several attempts to repeal these unfair provisions, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to correcting this injustice. His remarks capture the essence of this triumph: “This is a victory for fairness, dignity, and respect for public service workers. We have demonstrated the power of solidarity and persistence in the fight for justice with union leaders like Joe Rugola, Barb Ward, and Lois Carson.”

AFSCME President Lee Saunders added, “This historic victory for public service workers resulted from relentless advocacy and perseverance. Thanks to the broad coalition of union members and the unwavering support of allies like Senator Brown, over two million public service workers will now rightfully access the Social Security benefits they have earned throughout their careers.”

The Power of Collective Action

The repeal of GPO and WEP is the culmination of decades of effort by OAPSE members and our international union, AFSCME. In the past year alone, union members nationwide made over 8,000 phone calls and wrote over 28,000 letters to Congress, with OAPSE members at the forefront of this effort.

This law is a testament to our union’s strength, our members’ determination, and the power of collective action. It proves that together, we can achieve transformative change.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate this historic moment, let it inspire us to continue advocating for equity and justice for all public service workers. As President Saunders reminded us, “When we organize and persevere, we win. Let’s carry this momentum into 2025 and beyond.”

Thank you to every OAPSE member who contributed to this incredible accomplishment. This victory is yours, and it reflects the resilience and unity that define our union.

In solidarity,

The State Officers, Executive Board and Staff of OAPSE

After decades of work in Ohio and Washington, OAPSE has scored the most significant win for our members’ hopes for a dignified retirement. The hated Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision are no more.

OAPSE State President Lois Carson, Vice President Mike Lang, and Secretary Sheila Dawkins-Flinn brought home this victory after regular visits to Washington to pressure Congress into voting. “Shiela chaired our committee that led to this effort”, Carson said. “She and Mike worked tirelessly to finally win the repeal of these awful laws.”

OAPSE Executive Director Joe Rugola explained what the effect of the GPO and WEP repeal will mean. “Thousands of OAPSE members who have retired in the last 40 years have seen their monthly benefits slashed, sometimes to nothing, because of these laws. For a vast majority of our members the repeal will easily mean several thousand dollars a year more in retirement benefits.” Rugola, who first testified at Congress for the repeal of GPO and WEP nearly 35 years ago, credited OAPSE’s Officers and Executive Board members who spent time in Washington over the last few years for dedication to the cause. “Along with our entire National Union family in Washington, nothing was more important to this achievement than having the stories of real people whose lives were disrupted by this injustice. Dignity and security in retirement for our members is the fruit of their labors.”

Holiday Message from OAPSE Executive Director Joe Rugola.

Our union’s school employees work every day to protect and nurture Ohio’s schoolchildren. For many kids, a kind word and a firm presence provide examples of that caring and guidance. It is also a reality that many children depend on the meals they receive at school for their nutritional and learning needs.

HELPING THE NEEDIEST

Every year, our union focuses special attention on kids in some of Ohio’s most challenged school districts through our OAPSE Making A Difference program. Under the leadership of OAPSE State Secretary Sheila Dawkins-Flinn, OMAD delivers take home meals and snacks for children whose nutritional needs are especially acute.

OMAD CONTINUES ITS WORK

OMAD has been changing Ohio schoolchildren’s lives for the better for more than a decade now. One school district is selected for special attention and our OAPSE State Officers, District Leaders and staff participate in distributing sacks of food to kids in their school cafeterias and gyms. “It is truly heartwarming and gratifying to see the excitement and joy that the kids feel when they receive the special attention they deserve.”, said Dawkins-Flinn. “We work hard to raise the money for this program, but we are repaid many times over when we see the little ones so happy to get these treats”. OMAD is a non-profit operation and can accept donations from individuals or OAPSE Locals and Districts for this worthy cause.

To donate to OMAD CLICK HERE

GROVEPORT, Ohio, – After six months of collective bargaining, OAPSE Local #686 and the Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools (EFCTS) Board of Education reached an impasse that required the State Employee Relations Board (SERB) to appoint a third-party neutral fact-finder. This Fact-Finder, Gregory Lavelle, Esq., conducted a thorough review based on the district’s financial standing and comparisons to similar districts, ultimately issuing recommendations that included wage increases deemed fiscally responsible.

On December 8, 2024, in a highly irregular move, the EFCTS Board preemptively rejected the Fact-Finder’s recommendations before their scheduled meeting on December 11. The board subsequently issued a Last, Best, and Final (LBF) offer early Monday morning, December 9, which fell far short of the Fact-Finder’s recommendations.

On the same day, OAPSE Local #686 members convened and unanimously voted to accept the Fact-Finder’s recommendations, despite not securing several of their proposals. This demonstrated the union’s commitment to compromise and the well-being of its members and the community. However, the Local also voted unanimously to reject the Board’s LBF offer and authorized a strike.

The Fact-Finder’s recommendations, including higher-than-proposed Board salary increases, address the long-standing undervaluation of classified staff, such as custodians, cooks, IT technicians, and maintenance workers. These wage increases align with regional comparables and ensure EFCTS remains competitive in retaining and attracting talent.

“The board’s rejection of the Fact-Finder’s recommendations sends a troubling message that it does not value the vital contributions of classified staff,” said Sean Dahl, OAPSE Field Representative. “Our members accepted the neutral party’s recommendations in good faith. Yet, the board has disregarded a carefully balanced solution that addresses both the district’s financial health and the needs of its workers.”

The EFCTS Board’s LBF offer failed to match the Fact-Finder’s proposed wage increases and neglected to address inflationary pressures affecting its employees. The Fact-Finder’s report specifically highlighted that EFCTS has the financial capacity to implement these recommendations without compromising its fiscal integrity or its service to students and the community.

The strike vote underscores the union’s frustration with the lack of respect and recognition for classified employees. These dedicated workers ensure EFCTS schools are safe, clean, and operational, contributing directly to the district’s success.

“OAPSE Local #686 remains steadfast in advocating for fair compensation and respect for our members,” Dahl added. “We urge the EFCTS Board to reconsider its position and join us in adopting the Fact-Finder’s recommendations to avert a strike and restore faith in the collective bargaining process.”