AFSCME Ohio Council 8 is offering $25.00 gift to members who would like to canvass ( knocking on doors) or writing Post Cards. Volunteers would be required to knock on a minimum 40 doors and complete a 3 hour shift or 3 hour shift writing post cards. Volunteers can do up to 5 shifts a week and earn a gift card for each shift. This offer is open to members, Council 8 retirees and family of members who are at least 16 years old. There are no paper walk list so each volunteer will be trained on using the Mini Van app on their phone or tablet, it's super easy. All volunteers must sign up, Any one who wishes to volunteer can contact me or any Staff Rep at 513-641-2900.

All the ways we help union families when times are tough

We're here with a helping hand when union members and their families need it the most.

Union Plus Hardship Help

Here When You Need Us

Union Plus partners with brands you know and trust to offer special union member protections.

Participants in our Union Plus Mortgage, Credit Card, Personal Loan or supplemental insurance programs may be eligible for additional hardship assistance through our Mortgage Assistance Program or other Union Plus hardship programs.

https://www.unionplus.org/benefits/hardship-help

Our August 6th meeting will be held in the Union Hall (1213 Tennessee Ave 45229) at 11 am.

2021-2022 Last Day Work Schedule for AFSCME School Year Employees

The last work day for Assistant School Community Coordinators, Interpreters, LPN’s, Security, and Special Service Assistants is Thursday, May 26, 2022.

The last work day for Paraprofessionals is Friday, May 27, 2022.

The last work day for Occupational Therapist Assistants is Friday, May 27, 2022.

The last work day for Food Service Workers and Food Service Managers is Friday, May 27, 2022.

The last work day for Margaret B. Rost and Bobbie B. Fairfax Paraprofessionals is Friday, June 3, 2022

For The School Year 2022-23

The first day back for Paraprofessionals, Student Service Assistants (3 hrs.) and Security is Monday,

August 15, 2022 / last day May 26, 2023.

The first day back for Margaret B. Rost and Bobbie B. Fairfax Paraprofessionals is Wednesday,

August 17, 2022 / last day June 2, 2023.

The first day back for Assistant School Community Coordinators (SY), LPN’s and Sign Language Interpreters is Thursday, August 18, 2022 the first day for students / last day May 25, 2023.

The first day back for Occupational Therapists Assistants is Monday, August 15, 2022 / last day May 26, 2023.

Food Service Managers first day back is Monday, August 15, 2022 / last day May 26, 2023.

The first day back for Food Service Helpers is Monday, August 15, 2022 / last day May 26, 2023.

AFSCME Family:

Today we learned that the U.S. Department of Education notified our “Free College” partners — Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC), Central State University and Paul Quinn College — that they could no longer offer no-cost college to our members and their families. The department indicated that the financing of the program for students not eligible for Pell Grants is inconsistent with federal requirements. As a result, new students may not enroll.

There is no financial liability owed by any former or existing students who participated in the program. We are engaged in discussions with the department and EGCC concerning the continuing education of existing students. Continuation at no cost should not be an issue for any student who qualifies for a Pell Grant. For those who are not Pell eligible, and do not have an alternative source of funding, such as an employer or union trust funded tuition assistance program, we are seeking to continue Free College until their education is complete, but we do not now have an assurance that will be the case.

The Free College program is an outstanding benefit, in some cases life-changing, for AFSCME members and their families. I was proud that we could offer the opportunity to obtain a debt free education to our members and I am committed to finding an alternative program.

By offering this benefit, we learned that a large percentage of our members are eligible for Pell Grants. This federal program provides eligible students with up to $6,895 a year in education assistance depending on various factors such as income, cost of attendance, and full or part-time student status. The grants are portable and can be used at almost any accredited college or university. To find out if you are eligible, you will need to complete an application form and the college’s financial office will calculate your eligibility before you enroll. Click on this link to learn more.

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell?link_id=4&can_id=6ef756216a7650418b50eb34d3efc3de&source=email-update-about-the-free-college-program-2&email_referrer=email_1610910&email_subject=update-about-the-free-college-program

I am sorry to report this disappointing news, but we will make every effort to at least partially fill the void left by the cessation of the Free College program.

In solidarity,

Lee Saunders

AFSCME President

AFSCME Ohio Council 8 would like to congratulate AFSCME Local 232 member Murlean Robinson on graduating with her associate degree. Murlean took advantage of the AFSCME free college benefit and graduated with a 3.8 GPA. She plans to continue on to get her bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Congratulations Murlean!

The Ohio Council 8 Executive Board is proud to announce the 2022 AFSCME Family Scholarships are now available.

Application can be found https://files.ctctusercontent.com/ecc6a605601/662e4098-f4ba-45d4-abeb-30a32620295f.pdf?rdr=true

The scholarships, two $2,500-a-year grants for four years, are awarded annually to two different recipients, one male and one female, based on the applicant's need, academic history and higher education goals.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, May 6, 2022. Applications which are incomplete, or which are postmarked after the specified date, will be ineligible for consideration.

For more information read our blog post http://afscmecouncil8.org/2022-afscme-ohio-council-8-scholarships-now-available/

Union meeting is canceled for February 5 due to the weather