10.8 Labor Relations & Unions in State Government

A labor union is an organized group of workers who come together to protect and advance their shared interests—such as wages, benefits, and working conditions—through collective action and negotiation. In state government, unions represent many public employees, including correctional officers, administrative staff, highway workers, state troopers, and others who help deliver public services every day.

Labor unions interact with state government primarily through collective bargaining, which is the formal process of negotiation between representatives of employees and representatives of the employer (in this case, the state). Collective bargaining establishes the terms and conditions of employment—such as pay rates, health insurance, vacation time, work hours, and grievance procedures—and typically results in a legally binding collective bargaining agreement. These agreements define employee rights, management responsibilities, and the procedures used to resolve workplace disputes.

In Ohio, the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) represents more than 27,000 state workers and negotiates with the Office of Collective Bargaining within the Department of Administrative Services. Other unions represent specific groups of state employees, such as the Ohio State Troopers Association (OSTA) and bargaining units for correctional officers, youth services employees, and other specialized fields.

The scope of collective bargaining rights and the influence of unions vary among states. Some states allow negotiations over both wages and working conditions, while others limit bargaining topics or prohibit public employee strikes. Despite these differences, labor relations remain an important part of managing the public workforce.