OAPSE members understand that winning the wages and benefits they deserve happens when we stand together. Members look to their OAPSE local to fight for them when it matters most. Strong OAPSE locals have been putting in the work and winning at the negotiating table across the state recently.

Below are just a few highlights of the gains OAPSE locals have been able to make.

Recently, OAPSE Local #268, Belpre City Schools, was able to bargain and ratify one of the best contracts they have ever negotiated. Not only did they get substantial wage increases in each year of the contract, but Local #268 was able to also get job specific incentives, an increase to their health savings account, and two more holidays. Local leaders at Belpre are using this contract win to run an internal membership drive and sign up the few non-members they have left.

OAPSE Local #36, Vinton County Local Schools, had another kind of fight on their hands this year. A wage incentive in their contract for paraprofessionals was deemed not eligible for pension compensation in 2023 by SERS (School Employees Retirement System), after being considered pensionable for the past 17 years! Before Local #36 even heard about this decision, the school district and SERS agreed to return up to 17 years of pension contributions to the affected members. This was devastating news for a handful of paraprofessionals in Local #36 who were about to retire. This decision was going to cut future pension payouts by as much as $200 a month! Luckily, for these members, OAPSE had their back. Local #36’s field representative, Sean Dahl, and OAPSE attorney, Kristen McKinley, jumped into action to help OAPSE Local #36 fight for what they worked for and deserve. With Sean working with the school district, and Kristen working with SERS, disaster was averted, and a new resolution was reached and agreed to. Paraprofessionals in Local #36 will see their pension benefits restored and their wage incentive will continue to count towards their SERS pension.

Thanks to the hard work of Local #268 and Local #36 OAPSE members are looking towards better days. Stories like these are happening around the state for OAPSE locals. Whether it’s fighting for better wages, better benefits, a secure retirement, or just helping members correct an unjust situation, OAPSE is there for you every day!

Sheila Dawkins-Flinn has been elected by the OAPSE State Executive Board to serve out the remainder of the current term of our union’s State Secretary position. Since 2015, Sheila has held the Executive Board seat from the Northeast District and has held numerous state and local positions in OAPSE. In recent years, she has chaired the OAPSE Committee that has worked to repeal the Social Security Offset and Windfall provisions which undermine our members’ retirement security.

OAPSE State President Lois Carson spoke about Sheila assuming this important role for our union. “Sheila has, for many years, devoted herself to working on behalf of every OAPSE member. I know that she will continue the legacy of excellence that has been established by past OAPSE State Secretaries. That is why the State Executive Board was unanimous in it’s vote for Sheila to fill the term of State Secretary.”

OAPSE Executive Director Joe Rugola talked about Sheila filling this critical role for OAPSE. “The State Secretary job is so important for the maintenance of quality records, particularly of our Executive Board meetings. Sheila has served her District and her Local in the Akron City Schools with dignity and intelligence, and I know she will bring those qualities to her new role at the state level.“

Sheila took on the responsibilities of State Secretary effective January 1, 2024. She will work with President Carson and State Vice President Michael Lang to fight for the interest of all OAPSE members.

Sandra Wheeler, who held the position of State Secretary in our union for 32 years, has retired effective December 31, 2023. Sandy held numerous local and OAPSE Northwest Central District positions over a long career as a secretary with the Lima City Schools.

OAPSE State President Lois Carson spoke of Sandy’s contributions to OAPSE and her role as a leader on the union’s State Executive Board. “Those of us who had the privilege of working with Sandy will always be grateful for the professionalism, warmth and intelligence she brought to this critical role in our leadership team. Sandy not only maintained outstanding records of our union’s meetings, but also contributed genuine wisdom to our deliberations at the Executive Board. She also made every OAPSE member she met feel valued and appreciated.”

OAPSE Executive Director Joe Rugola talked about his relationship with Sandy. “For more than 30 years of my administration I was privileged to share our leadership table with Sandy. She helped us steer our union through challenge after challenge, all the while keeping flawless records of our Executive Board meetings and Conferences. More than that though, I will be forever grateful to Sandy for the gracious, generous, and caring nature she showed to all of us. Her friendship and support are a treasure to all of us who were lucky enough to know her.”

Sandy will be enjoying her well deserved retirement with her husband, Ivan Wheeler, and all of her children and grandchildren at her home in Lima.

We all join in wishing Sandy the best of life for many years to come.

OAPSE is pleased to announce a partnership with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). OAPSE members, their children, and their grandchildren are able to take advantage of this member ONLY benefit now!

Tri-C will be offering exclusive discounts to OAPSE members and their families, on top of federal and state grants, and merit-based, needs-based, and program-based scholarships. All of this will make Tri-C out of pocket costs for OAPSE members and their families the lowest in the state, and potentially free for some union members.

Tri-C offers more than 1,000 courses, in over 200 career and technical programs, and all courses are eligible for the exclusive OAPSE member discount. Classes are offered online, in-person and in hybrid formats to fit your lifestyle.

In an effort to make tuition as affordable as possible, Tri-C will be offering payment plans for out-of-pocket costs spread out over the entire semester. For OAPSE members with tuition reimbursement in their contract, Tri-C will also be offering a deferred billing option. This deferred billing option would allow your employer to pay their portion of tuition directly to Tri-C upon course completion, allowing OAPSE members more tuition flexibility than ever before.

For more information and to start the free application process, click here: OAPSE/Tri-C Partnership

Spring courses start January 16th at Tri-C and limited space is available, so start the process today!

Tri-C will be holding a virtual meeting for OAPSE members who would like information on the application process, the enrollment process, or additional info on the program. The virtual meeting will take place on December 12th @ 6pm. Email [email protected] to register.

*Eligible family members are limited to children, grandchildren, and dependents of OAPSE members at the moment.

Printable Program Flyer: OAPSE-at-Tri-C-Flyer.pdf