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.

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.