Together We Fight! Together We Win!

Today, Senator Sherrod Brown, Chair of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy, held a field hearing for S. 597, his bill to repeal the unfair Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

OAPSE members, and public sector workers from across Ohio, were in the crowd to show their support for the bill and a few people were able to testify for the record. One of today’s speakers was Barb Ward, OAPSE State Executive Board Member from Southeast District and a special needs bus driver from Fairland Local Schools. Barb is one of the thousands of OAPSE members affected by the GPO and WEP laws that unfairly cut earned Social Security benefits to public sector workers in states like Ohio.

Barb was able to tell her story on the record to Senator Brown and the hundreds in attendance. Barb will be retiring in August and due to the GPO and WEP she will see her Social Security survivor benefit cut by roughly $1,600 a month. This is devastating to Barb and the almost 3 million people affected by GPO and WEP in the United States.

OAPSE and AFSCME have been pushing for repeal of the GPO and WEP for decades and we’re closer than ever before. Thanks to support from allies like Sherrod Brown and impactful testimony from members like Barb, S. 597 now has 59 co-sponsors! The companion bill in the U.S. House, H.R. 82, has 322 co-sponsors. That is the most support for the repeal of the GPO and WEP ever!

Our work is not done though. We will continue to push for full repeal of the GPO and WEP until every OAPSE member and public sector worker retires receiving the entire benefit they earned and the respect they deserve!

OAPSE Local 541, Carrollton Schools, has a few things to be excited about this spring. After only two meetings with the district, OAPSE Local 541 agreed to a new contract that has since been ratified by both sides. While members will see a sizeable increase in pay, and a lump sum payment each year of the contract, out-of-pocket insurance costs will NOT increase and coverage will remain the same.

On top of Local 541’s contract win, Carrollton’s elementary school is in the process of constructing a new in-school library. Tracy Moyer, Local President and elementary school librarian, has been pushing for dedicated library space in their new building. Tracy’s hard work has paid off and the new library is almost complete. Tracy was able to work with the district’s administration to make sure permanent library space was available to students of the elementary school.

“I am very thankful that the new Elementary Principal, Holly Dodds, and Superintendent Dave Davis saw the importance of a library in our district and made the necessary changes to the plans once taking over the reins of our school district. Libraries are a garden for growing readers, nurturing their love for books and sparking their imagination.” Tracy exclaimed.

Local 541’s effort has paid off with a new contract and a new library. A great reminder that when we come together and fight for what we deserve, we win!

Ohio’s School Bus Driver Safety Road-E-O was held this May and the top 3 finishers were all OAPSE members!

Kevin Ball from Olentangy Schools finished in 1st. Kevin also finished 2nd in 2023.

Teresa Felter from Seneca East Schools finished in 2nd.

Chuck SantaMaria from Orange City Schools finished in 3rd. Chuck won the Road-E-O in 2023.

In total, 6 OAPSE members finished in top 8 spots. Congratulations to Kevin, Teresa, and Chuck, and congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s School Bus Driver Safety Road-E-O!

OAPSE Delegates convened in Cleveland last week to discuss and vote on union resolutions, take part in educational workshops, and enjoy some down time with OAPSE sisters and brothers from across the state. With over 400 people in attendance, it was a busy, but great, three-day event. Thank you to everyone who attended! Hope to see even more members for OAPSE’s 80^th Conference in Columbus in 2026.