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Educators at Summit Academy Secondary Lorain Win Union Vote

LORAIN, OH – Educators at Summit Academy Secondary Lorain won their union election today after the official vote count was tallied by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). They are the third Summit Academy school, and the eighth charter school of any kind, to form a union with the Cleveland Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (Cleveland ACTS), a local union that is affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). 

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Ohio Federation of Teachers endorses Tim Ryan for U.S. Senate

Earlier this week, the statewide Executive Council for the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) voted to endorse U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan for the U.S. Senate. The Executive Council is composed of educators, school support staff, and public employees who are members of OFT’s 54 local unions. “We’ve seen Tim Ryan be a leader in his community by fighting to protect good jobs when GM closed their Lordstown factory, a leader in Congress on workers’ rights and education, and a leader by example when he supported and recognized his campaign staff’s right to form a union,” said Melissa Cropper, OFT President. “We’re proud to support his campaign because he has spent his career supporting students, educators, and working people.”

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Menlo Park Academy Is Using Public Education Funding in Union Busting Attempt

Cleveland, OH — The administration at Menlo Park Academy, a K-8 charter school that serves gifted students, has been using public education funds to engage in a union busting campaign. The anti-union campaign, which includes anti-union literature and frivolous legal challenges intended to delay the election, began shortly after 96% of eligible employees supported forming the union and signed union authorization cards. The cards were submitted to the National Labor Relations Board on November 12 and include support from teachers, instructional assistants, instructional aides, one-on-one aides, and other licensed educators. 

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OFT Statement on the Ohio State Board of Education 

We look forward to working with Board President McGuire and Vice President Dackin, new members Brandon Kern and Richard Chernesky, and the rest of the state school board members to address the immediate challenges that Ohio students and schools are facing, including labor shortages, public health precautions, and increased student behavior issues.”

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Ohio Federation of Teachers and Ohio Education Association Oppose Legislation That Endangers Students

Columbus, OH — Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, and Scott DiMauro, President of the Ohio Education Association, released the following joint statement in opposition to HB 454, a bill that would ban gender affirming mental and physical healthcare for minors in Ohio. The bill would also prohibit educators and school counselors from keeping students’ feelings about gender identity confidential. 

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Workers at Worthington Libraries Win Union Vote Overwhelmingly

Librarians and other workers at Worthington Libraries voted 80-10 (89%) to form their union with the Ohio Federation of Teachers, according to election results that were released today by Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board (SERB). The organizing campaign was driven by concerns that too many library policies, including health and safety concerns and paid leave policies, were being made without any input from library employees. 

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OFT President Cropper: Keep Ohio Schools Open by Mandating Masks

"The safety and education of our students is our highest priority. We haven’t even passed Labor Day and we already have thousands of Ohio students, teachers, and staff who have missed school due to COVID-19 infection or exposure. This has already led to school closures in multiple school districts. We need to keep our students in the classroom, and the best way to do that is with a statewide mask mandate."

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Ohio Federation of Teachers, Innovation Ohio Host "Speak Out for Honesty in Education"

Today, Innovation Ohio and the Ohio Federation of Teachers co-hosted a virtual "speak out" against deceptive attacks on honesty in education which aim to prohibit schools from teaching accurate history about racism, sexism, prejudice, and other issues. Educators, parents, and allies spoke about the dangers of curriculum bans and urged Ohioans to stand for honest, accurate, diverse education in schools.

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OFT Mourns the Passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper release the following statement on the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka: "Today, we mourn for AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, a relentless champion for workers’ rights and people-powered democracy. Rich began his work in the labor movement as a coal miner before rising to become the leader of the United Mine Workers of America and then the AFL-CIO. He never forgot where he came from, providing critical support to workers in struggle throughout his career."

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Ohio Federation of Teachers Thanks Retiring State Superintendent DeMaria

"From implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act to a forward-looking strategic plan through a pandemic year, Superintendent DeMaria has demonstrated that the best way to create an education system that serves and supports all students is by bringing stakeholders to the table, truly listening to their input, providing opportunities for civil discourse, and working towards consensus,” said OFT President Melissa Cropper.
 
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