Press

ATHENS, OHIO — Ohio University faculty engaged students and their families about their fight for a fair union contract today, during the university’s move-in weekend. The faculty, members of the United Academics of Ohio University (UAOU), flyered on the corner of Washington and Court Street and asked students and families to sign UAOU’s solidarity pledge. Faculty also arranged for a mobile billboard about contract negotiations to drive through campus all day.

“It’s critical that we negotiate a strong first contract because it will help OU faculty gain fair and competitive pay, greater job security, and safer and healthier workspaces at a time when higher education is under attack,” said Courtney Koestler, an Associate Professor of Teacher Education. “Legislation like SB1 is eroding academic freedom, faculty protections, vital support systems for students and faculty, all of which harm our institutions of higher education. Through collective bargaining, we can work with university leaders to secure the rights of faculty now. Having a strong and protected faculty is the foundation for high-quality education for students.”

MORE

NEWARK, OHIO — On Friday, June 6, the United Faculty/Central Ohio Technical College (UF/COTC) filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge over COTC’s refusal to sign a contract agreement and their insistence that the union return to the bargaining table and accept concessions. The contract agreement became binding after it was ratified by the union and the COTC Board failed to act within the time limit that is set in Ohio law. The administration’s refusal to sign the contract signals that they have no intention of following the contract.

“Union members negotiated our contract in good faith, reached an agreement with our college, and overwhelmingly ratified the agreement,” said Martin Schmerr, a Biology Professor at COTC and President of UF/COTC. “Ohio law is clear. Since we ratified the contract and our administration didn’t vote on ratification within the allotted time, our contract is officially approved. It’s outrageous that our Board is ignoring the law and acting as if we’re still in negotiations. It’s time for the Board to sign the contract so we can move forward together.”

MORE

UPPER ARLINGTON, OH — Today, a strong majority of staff at Upper Arlington Public Library (UAPL) voted to form their union, Upper Arlington Public Library United Staff (UAPLUS), in a secret ballot election administered by Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board. The new union, which includes around 90 librarians and library workers, is the fourth group of Central Ohio library workers to successfully organize with the Ohio Federation of Teachers since 2021.

MORE

The Ohio Federation of Teachers released results today of a statewide survey of more than 2,300 K-12 educators and school support workers. The survey was focused on the factors that lead to teacher and staff turnover and on potential solutions to increase retention in Ohio’s K-12 schools.  MORE

“We are disappointed that Governor DeWine signed HB 99 into law despite widespread concern from educators, parents, and public safety professionals. Allowing more guns in our schools, without the necessary training to ensure those guns are kept secure and are handled safely, will make our schools more dangerous and increase the likelihood that Ohio students, teachers, and school staff will be harmed. Similarly, the new law that allows permitless concealed carry, will also make our communities less safe." MORE

COLUMBUS —  Despite providing a 3% pay increase to non-union staff, Equitas Health is only offering a 1% raise to union employees. The 1% offer, which management has stuck to over multiple bargaining sessions, was made during wage negotiations last week between the healthcare system and Equitas Health Workers United (EHWU), the union for nearly 200 frontline employees. Equitas Health management explicitly connected their lowball offer with an unfair labor practice charge from 2023 that is set to receive a hearing in December. 

MORE

Statement from the All in For Ohio Kids coalition: Four years ago, lawmakers promised to fully implement the Fair School Funding Plan in the 2026-27 budget. Since then, we have been waiting for state legislators to make good on their commitment, so all Ohio children – regardless of wealth, race, ability or background – can attend a public school that provides them with everything they need to succeed.

Unlike the House budget, the Senate sub bill retains more of the elements of the Fair School Funding Plan, yet when taken as a whole, it underfunds schools, increases uncertainty for districts, and makes it harder for districts to pass levies necessary to fill the gaps created by the continued shortchanging of education by the state.

MORE

DELAWARE, OHIO — A strong majority of staff at Delaware County District Library (DCDL) voted to form their union, Delaware County United Library Staff (DCULS), according to secret ballot election results released today by Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board (SERB). The results showed that 82% of valid ballots voted in favor of the union. The new union, which includes 85 librarians and library workers, is the sixth group of Ohio library workers – and the fifth in central Ohio – to successfully organize with the Ohio Federation of Teachers since 2021.

MORE

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), released the following statement congratulating Michelle Flanigan on her election to the STRS Ohio Board and responding to recent news reports about STRS Ohio: 

MORE

COLUMBUS — Today, frontline client-facing employees at Equitas Health, called on their management to voluntarily recognize their union after they presented signed union cards from a supermajority of staff who work in related job categories. The proposed bargaining unit covers approximately 150 social workers, counselors, therapists, advocates, case managers, and other employees who work in Equitas Health offices across Ohio.  MORE