For Immediate Release
June 9, 2025
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
Central Ohio Technical College Reneges on Contract Agreement
Faculty file Unfair Labor Charge; COTC falsely claims their actions are required by SB 1.
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.”
According to §4117.10 of the Ohio Revised Code, after reaching a tentative agreement, the employer’s representative has 14 days to present the agreement to their Board, followed by the Board having 30 days to hold a vote on the agreement. If they don’t act within that timeline the contract “is deemed approved.” The COTC Board voted to reject the agreement on May 20, 2025, which is 54 days after the agreement was reached, and therefore after the contract was already “deemed approved” by law. The faculty union ratified the contract on April 29.
The Board’s stated reason for attempting to deny ratification is that the CBA, as negotiated and agreed to, does not align with some provisions of Senate Bill 1, which was signed by the Governor on March 28. SB 1 is not enforceable until it goes into effect on June 27. SB 1 is a far-reaching law that subjects Ohio’s public colleges and universities to legislative micro-management, new unfunded administrative mandates, content bans, and restrictions on collective bargaining rights.
“This is not just a breach of contract – it’s a betrayal of the trust we were asked to believe in,” said Natasha Ford, a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Assistant Professor and bargaining team member. “We have upheld our end of the bargain. We negotiated in good faith. The administration must now do the same. The failure to honor the agreement just weeks before SB1 takes effect threatens to permanently damage the trust between faculty and administration. We are asking the administration to do what is right – restore the integrity of the negotiating process and restore our trust by signing the approved contract.”
“SB 1 poses new and unprecedented challenges for administration, faculty, and students after it becomes effective on June 27. It’s essential that all stakeholders at the college are united in addressing these challenges together,” said Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. “By picking a pointless fight with faculty, COTC is creating division and distraction rather than building the collaborative unity that Ohio colleges will need to withstand politically-driven attacks on college funding, academic independence, and worker rights.”
UF/COTC will be holding a community rally on Thursday, June 12.
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United Faculty/Central Ohio Technical College, Local 4729, is affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers. AFT is the largest and fastest growing higher education union in the country. Central Ohio Technical College is a state-assisted, post-secondary institution of higher education offering bachelor’s degree, associate degree and certificate programs.
A copy of the Unfair Labor Practice charge is available on request.