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At this year's 35th Biennial Convention, two chapters were honored for their Labor Gives Back efforts. We were happy to honor Grafton Correctional Chapter 4710 and Ashtabula Chapter 400 as the co-recipients of this year’s Bob White Labor Gives Back Award. Both chapters continue to carry the torch of community service, just as the award's namesake, Bob White, did in life.

In an amazing show of union solidarity and humanity, OCSEA convention delegates came together yet again for another important cause. In this case, it was to help raise donations for union sisters and brothers greatly impacted by the Maui wildfires. Nearly 300 AFSCME members are from the devastated town of Lahaina. 

Hey OCSEA Convention delegates! Tell us what you think! Take the OCSEA 35th Biennial Convention Survey.

Friend of Labor, Ohio's U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown stopped by the OCSEA Biennial Convention on Saturday morning and got a rousing reception from delegates who know he "talks the talk" and "walks the walk" when it comes to unions and the importance of the labor movement.

The Thursday of Convention, the OCSEA Womens' Action Committee (WAC) and the OCSEA Committee for Minority & Community Affairs (CMCA) joined together to hold their esteemed biennial convention WAC/CMCA Luncheon. The Committees give a voice to underrepresented groups in union public service.

Friday night of convention, delegates kicked back and enjoyed a night of union camaraderie with live music performed by the rock band The Resilient. The Resilient is an American rock band primarily made up of severely wounded U.S. combat veterans. They’re all about rocking out and making music that reflects their experiences in both their civilian lives and military careers. Check out some photos of the night below!

Thursday of Convention, OCSEA's 500 delegates joined their union brothers and sisters from the Ohio AFSCME Affiliates to hold a rally with one message: Staff the Front Lines.

The second day of convention was another action-packed day. The convention started out with a bang with some true heroes of labor. Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga and AFSCME International President Lee Saunders were the morning's special guests. Both are fan favorites with union activists, not only for their straightforward talk, but for their grit and determination that keeps unions strong in Ohio and across our country.

During Friday's election, delegates to the 35th OCSEA Biennial Convention re-elected Kathy Gersper to the office of Secretary-Treasurer. She received a majority of the vote. This will be Gersper's sixth four-year term as Secretary-Treasurer.

Resolutions are approved by the union delegation and call for OCSEA to take a stance on a wide range of specific issues that impact public employee union members. Delegates, on the recommendation of the Resolutions Committee, adopted all proposed resolutions on Friday afternoon. Those include recommitting to New Employee Orientation, celebrating 40 years of collective bargaining, fighting public sector attacks, standing up to privatization, supporting labor-friendly candidates and more.

Convention delegates and guests had a ball at the Columbus Clippers game at Huntington Park on Thursday night! Take a look at some of the photos of members kicking back and enjoying a great night of baseball, food, and fun.