On May 15, 2025, The Buckeye Institute issued a demand letter to the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA), urging an investigation into Tim Federkiel, president of AFSCME/OCSEA Chapter 2200. The institute claims that Federkiel violated the Janus rights of Ryan Smith, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and client of The Buckeye Institute.
The demand calls for OCSEA to nullify any agreements between Smith, the union, and its affiliates, including membership applications or dues deduction authorizations. Failure to comply may lead to an unfair labor practice complaint filed with the Ohio State Employment Relations Board.
David C. Tryon, director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, stated: “When Mr. Smith joined the Marines, he took an oath to ‘support and defend the Constitution of the United States.’ He continues to fulfill that oath in standing up for his constitutional rights today.”
Smith hails from Castalia and served in various capacities during his military career in Iraq and other countries. After retiring from service, he began working at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky in April 2025.
During his orientation on his first day at work, Federkiel reportedly had new employees sign union membership agreements before providing information about the union. Federkiel allegedly made political remarks during this session and refused when Smith requested his application back after expressing a desire not to join.
Tryon added: “Few would contest that workers are both legally and morally entitled to make a free, uncoerced, and informed choice as to whether to join a union. Mr. Federkiel’s actions violate this basic principle.”
