Press

ATHENS, OHIO — Today, an overwhelming majority (72%) of librarians and library workers at Athens County Public Libraries (ACPL) called on their Director and Board of Trustees to 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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"On behalf of all the workers at Kaleidoscope Youth Center, the organizing committee is expressing our deepest gratitude to the Board of Directors for voting in favor of voluntarily recognizing the Kaleidoscope Workers Union. This decision represents a significant milestone in our collective journey toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace. By recognizing the union, Kaleidoscope Youth Center leadership has demonstrated a commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all workers and a dedication to serving the LGBTQIA+ youth in our community."

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PICKERINGTON, OH — Today, a strong majority of staff (92%) at Pickerington Public Library (PPL) voted to form their union, Pickerington Public Library United Staff (PPLUS), in a secret ballot election administered by Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board. The new union, which includes 25 librarians and library workers, is the third group of Central Ohio library workers to successfully organize with the Ohio Federation of Teachers since 2021.

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“Congratulations to Pat Davidson, a teacher in the Berea City School District, on his victory. Pat has been an active member of OFT’s statewide retirement issues committee and is dedicated to using his time and expertise to advance retirement security for active and retired educators in Ohio. Pat’s focus is on pushing STRS to make the changes needed to restore benefits to active and retired members.  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."

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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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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. 

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“It is clear from the policy choices made in this budget that Governor DeWine, Ohio House Speaker Huffman, and Ohio Senate President McColley value profits over people and stadiums over students."

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“SB 1/HB 6 is a slow motion wrecking ball aimed at Ohio’s public colleges and universities. It will strip faculty of their collective bargaining rights, demolish bedrock principles of academic freedom, overload administration with unfunded mandates, and put politicians in charge of what can be taught and discussed. This will drive talented faculty, staff, and students out of Ohio, lower the quality of research and education, and erode the prestige and reputation of some of the finest public universities in the country."

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“This ruling further confirms what we’ve reported in the past, that during our organizing campaign, KIPP’s management engaged in illegal acts of intimidation and retaliation. We were not deterred by their actions because we, the workers, have the final say over whether or not we form our union."

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