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School Report Cards Demonstrate Need for Whole Child Approach

OFT President Melissa Cropper released the following statement on the Ohio Department of Education’s 2022 Report Cards: “These report cards demonstrate something that teachers and school staff have observed: our students need more support to fully bounce back from the pandemic and remote learning disruptions in the last few years. While we believe the report cards could be more useful if they were less dependent on standardized test scores, they are helpful in determining where there are gaps that need to be addressed."

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Grandview Heights Public Library Employees Launch Union Campaign

GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS, OH — Today, staff at Grandview Heights Public Library (GHPL) called on their Director and Board of Trustees to voluntarily recognize their union. Copies of signed union cards from an overwhelming majority of library employees were delivered to management, while the originals were filed with the State Employee Relations Board (SERB) to request voluntary recognition of the union. 

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OFT Endorses Candidates for the State Board of Education and the Ohio General Assembly

COLUMBUS, OH — Today, the Ohio Federation of Teachers announced additional endorsements for this year’s general election, including endorsements for the Ohio State Board of Education and the Ohio General Assembly. The endorsements were approved by a majority vote of OFT’s Executive Council, which is composed of member leaders from every OFT local union. 

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Equitas Health Workers Win Union Election

A majority of frontline client-facing employees at Equitas Health voted to form their union with the Ohio Federation of Teachers, according to election results that were released today by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The bargaining unit includes approximately 175 social workers, counselors, therapists, advocates, case managers, and other employees who work in Equitas Health offices across Ohio. 

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OFT President Cropper: HB 99 Makes Ohio Schools Less Safe

“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."

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RELEASE: OFT Endorses Nan Whaley and Cheryl Stephens for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Slate of endorsements for statewide offices, congressional seats, and state legislature released.

COLUMBUS, OH — Today, the Ohio Federation of Teachers released a slate of endorsements for this year’s election, including endorsements for Nan Whaley for Governor and Cheryl Stephens for Lieutenant Governor. The endorsements were based on responses to OFT’s candidate questionnaire and, for candidates who have held elected office, voting history and experience.

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Frontline Client-Facing Workers at Equitas Health Take Steps to Form Union

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. 

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OFT President Melissa Cropper Reacts to Steve Dackin's Selection as State Superintendent of Public Instruction

May 10, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, 412-266-4899, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org

OFT President Melissa Cropper Reacts to Steve Dackin's Selection as State Superintendent of Public Instruction

COLUMBUS — Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper released the following statement on Steve Dackin's selection today as state superintendent of public instruction. 

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OFT Members Julie Sellers and Elizabeth Jones Win Seats on STRS Board

COLUMBUS — Today, the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) Ohio announced election results for three seats on the Retirement Board that governs the system. Julie Sellers, an elementary school teacher who currently serves as President of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, won a contributing member seat and Elizabeth Jones, a retired high school English teacher and Guidance Counselor who currently serves as President of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers—Retired, won a retiree seat. 

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