June 11, 2026
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
First Contract in Effect for Athens County Public Libraries Workers
ATHENS, OHIO — The first union contract for workers at Athens County Public Libraries (ACPL) went into effect on Sunday, June 7. The contract makes substantial gains on the issues that motivated library staff to form their union, including paid time off benefits for part-time employees, paid parental leave, guaranteed raises, and protections against unfair discipline.
"Library workers go above and beyond to serve our communities every day, and we look forward to having a say in how our workplace operates moving forward,” said Ellie Hamrick, a Youth Services Librarian at Chauncey Public Library and member of the Athens County Public Libraries United (ACPLU) bargaining committee. “Our strength lies in our unity with each other, our patrons, and organized workers in Athens County and around the world."
An overwhelming majority of ACPLU members voted to ratify the agreement during the first week of May and the library’s Board of Trustees ratified the agreement on Tuesday, May 19. Negotiations for the contract began in 2024 after the Board voted to voluntarily recognize the union based on signed union cards from a supermajority of workers.
The contract extends vacation leave, personal leave, and holiday pay to part-time workers on a pro-rated basis. The ACPLU bargaining committee prioritized this improvement because it ensures that all workers have equitable access to important benefits. The new contract also allows up to six weeks of paid parental leave for all employees. Library workers in Delaware County and Upper Arlington won similar improvements in their recently bargained union contracts.
ACPLU also took a huge step toward providing all workers with a fair, living wage by winning an $0.80 “market increase” to all wages, plus a 5% raise in the first year of the contract and 3.5% raises in both the second and third years. These guaranteed raises replace “merit raises” that were awarded subjectively. All workers will also receive a $700 ratification bonus.
“It was a heavy lift to finalize our contract and make progress on the issues that are most important to our coworkers,” said Andrea Anderson, a Youth Services Librarian at Glouster Public Library and member of the ACPLU bargaining committee. “This is exactly why we formed our union, so we can have a seat at the table and collectively address problems in our library system.”
Employees also won “just cause” and progressive discipline protections, which ensure that employees are terminated only for just cause that is consistent with the contract and workplace policies and provide employees with opportunities for job performance improvement for less serious infractions. Provisions of the contract are enforceable through a binding grievance and independent arbitration process.
ACPLU is the sixth Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) local union of library workers to finalize a contract, following library workers in Worthington, Grandview Heights, Pickerington, Delaware County, and Upper Arlington. All of these local unions organized with OFT in the last five years. In June, more than 600 workers at Columbus Metropolitan Library will be voting on whether or not to form their union with OFT.
“ACPLU members help foster a lifelong love of reading in their communities, create safe spaces for kids and teens, and help neighbors access important social services. They deserve a voice in their workplace,” said OFT President Melissa Cropper. “Libraries are stronger and more resilient institutions when workers have a union contract and are able to stand up for themselves and library patrons.”
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Athens County Public Libraries United is affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) and the American Federation of Teachers. OFT also represents library workers at Worthington Libraries, Grandview Heights Public Library, Pickerington Public Library, Delaware County District Library, and Upper Arlington Public Library. Library workers at Columbus Metropolitan Library are currently organizing their union to join OFT. OFT is a state federation of 65 local unions of active and retired public school teachers and staff, charter school teachers and staff, higher education faculty and staff, social workers, library workers, and public employees.