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.

This month, Cleveland Heights City Council passed a resolution focused on helping school employees, and all public workers, get the retirement they deserve. Cleveland Heights City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the unfair GPO and WEP provisions Ohio public sector workers face in retirement.

Davida Russell, OAPSE State Executive Board Member and Northeast District President, also sits on Cleveland Heights City Council as Vice President. Davida recently introduced four resolutions to City Council, all of which highlight how important it is to elect candidates that understand and care about OAPSE members and working families.

Davida was able to pass a resolution in support of repealing GPO and WEP, a resolution supporting S. 3681, the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, which aims to offer grant money to train and retain school employees, a resolution recognizing April 23 as National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and a resolution proclaiming April 28 Workers Memorial Day.

Davida Russell, and elected officials like her, know how important OAPSE members are in the workplace and in the community. We know that Davida will keep fighting for us, and we’ll keep fighting for her. Thank you Davida!

This week, the Social Security Subcommittee of the US House Ways and Means Committee had a hearing for H.R. 82 and OAPSE was there. OAPSE’s State Officers, Lois Carson (President), Mike Lang (Vice President), and Sheila Dawkins-Flinn (Secretary), were in attendance continuing to fight for the repeal of the unfair GPO and WEP provisions that devastate OAPSE members in retirement. As this process continues to move forward, OAPSE and AFSCME are making sure we have a presence and our voice is heard!

While Lois, Mike and Sheila were in Washington DC, they met with staff of Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and JD Vance. Senator Brown is the sponsor of the companion Senate Bill (S. 597) to repeal GPO and WEP, and Senator Vance has recently become a co-sponsor. The OAPSE State Officers were able to thank the Senators for their work to repeal these provisions and also remind them just how unfair and harmful GPO and WEP are to Ohioans who work in the public sector.

“We have a lot of support in the House and Senate, but more is needed and educating Congress is key.” President Carson explained. “We don’t have the number of Senators we need to move the Bill along yet, so we need our allies, like Senator Brown and his co-sponsors, to explain the importance of repealing GPO and WEP to their fellow Senators around the country. We need OAPSE members to call our Ohio Senators and thank them for their support. We also need to stress how important it is for Senator Brown and Senator Vance to keep working and educating the Senate until we have the 60 votes we need!”

The US House Social Security Subcommittee plans on holding more hearings in the future and even holding a markup, which is the next step to bring repealing GPO and WEP to the floor of the US House.

For members who would like to reach out to Senator Brown and/or Senator Vance, their office numbers are below. We are closer than we’ve ever been to repealing GPO and WEP, so lets keep fighting!

Senator Brown phone numbers: (614) 469-2083 (Columbus) (216) 522-7272 (Cleveland) (202) 224-2315 (Washington DC)

Senator Vance phone numbers: (614) 369-4925 (Columbus) (216) 539-7877 (Cleveland) (202) 224-3353 (Washington DC)