After months of discussion, the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) will institute a “freeze” to its annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in 2022 and 2023.  OPERS has stated that the elimination of the COLA for this two (2) year period will assist in sustaining the healthcare benefit for OPERS retirees. 

Under the current benefit structure individuals who retired prior to January 7, 2013 receive an annual 3 percent COLA.  Individuals that retired after that date have their COLA based upon the Consumer Price Index (CPI) capped at 3 percent.  Once the freeze is eliminated in 2024, individuals will be returned to the status they held prior to the freeze being implemented.

In addition to the proposed COLA changes, OPERS is considering additional changes that will impact future retirees hired on or after January 1, 2022.  Known as Group D, these individuals would be impacted by the following changes:

COLA Freeze – A retiree’s first COLA would be delayed until the 2^nd pension anniversary (24 months) after retirement.

Higher Member Contribution Rate – The Member Contribution Rate would be increased to 11 percent (currently 10 percent).

Benefit Eligibility – The prosed change would increase the Age and Service requirement needed to receive an unreduced benefit; currently age 55 with 32 years of service OR age 67 with 5 years of service.

Under the NEW eligibility requirement an individual would had to have reached one of the following thresholds:

• Age 62 with 35 years of service.
• Age 67 with 25 years of service.
• Age 70 with 5 years of service.

Final Average Salary (FAS) – The amount of years used to calculate benefit would increase to 10 years (currently 5 years).

Reduction in Multiplier – The multiplier currently used to calculate retirement currently set at 2.2 percent would be reduced to 2 percent.

AFSCME Ohio Council 8 does not currently support the Group D plan because in our view, it places more of the burden on the backs of workers while threatening the overall financial stability of the system.  As OPERS continues to develop this plan we will keep members update to it status.

Dear Sisters and brothers,

At our upcoming 23rd Biennial convention in October we will be electing and re-electing leaders responsible for the continued growth and effectiveness of our great union.

At this time I am announcing that, after much thought and consideration, I will retire and NOT run for re-election as AFSCME Ohio Council 8 president.

Many people think of John Lyall as the face of AFSCME Ohio Council 8. Those of you who know me understand that’s not true. I’ve always tried to make it clear that our union isn’t about me, our elected leaders, or professional staff. It’s about you – the members.

YOU are the people in charge of our union – each and every member. Ohio Council 8’s leaders and staff work hard to make our union great. But at the end of the day, we are a member-driven union. That means we need the participation of every member to make us that much better and that much stronger.

I am hopeful about our union’s future because I know it will be capable hands. While leaders come and go, our union always carries on. Clearly, Ohio Council 8 is not going anywhere except forward.

Sisters and brothers, I want you to understand that this was not an easy decision to make. However I know that it is the right one for me, my family and my union family, AFSCME Ohio Council 8.

Like any organization, we can benefit from new leaders and new ideas. I have full confidence that whoever YOU choose to lead us as our next president will take our union to even greater heights.

I look forward to the next great chapter in Ohio Council 8’s history. It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as your President. My heart will always be with our great union.

In solidarity,
John A. Lyall

Ticks – Beware These Summer Hitchhikers

The summer season is here, and many Ohio Council 8 members are busy mowing grass, removing brush and cutting back undergrowth in parks, along streets and highways, vacant lots and rights of way.

Summer is also tick season. Outdoor workers need to be vigilant to protect themselves and their families from these summertime hitchhikers. According to the Ohio Department of Health, your odds of getting bit by a tick and contracting a disease are getting higher each year in Ohio.

In the past four years, the number of cases of Lyme disease in Ohio nearly doubled, with 293 cases reported in 2018. There have already been more than 27 cases reported statewide so far this year.

In addition to Lyme disease, tick bites can also transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Health records indicate there were 38 Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases last year across Ohio.

If you experience a tick bite on the job, make sure you report the bite to your supervisor as you would any work-related injury. If the bite should make you ill, you will have proof that it occurred on the job and the documentation you will need to take sick leave or apply for workers compensation.

Thoroughly check yourself and your clothing at the end of your shift or soon after. Ticks are notorious hitchhikers and while you may not get bitten, you may be bringing an infected tick into your home where it could bite other family members or pets.

Click here for more information on tick bites.

Ohio Council 8 is sad to report the death of AFSCME Local 250 member Leroy Garrison Jr., 48 who died Monday in an on the job accident.

A Cincinnati city electrical maintenance worker in the Department of Public Services, Garrison, a father of two, was working alone when he apparently came into contact with energized wires.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic death,” said AFSCME Ohio Council 8 President John A. Lyall.  “He was a respected, long-time city employee and he will be missed by his family, his community and all who knew him.” 

Emergency crews responded after 911 callers reported the accident and found active wires covering the bucket of his City Public Services truck.

The city has suspended all non-emergency electrical maintenance while the death is investigated. Officials said flags at all city buildings would be lowered in Garrison’s honor according to the city manager’s office.