Press

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. MORE

Ohio Federation of Teachers and Ohio Education Association Oppose Legislative Attack on Trans Students

“These bills -- HB 61 and SB 132 -- are not just a sports ban, this is part of a coordinated national attack on the safety and lives of trans students. As educators, we are speaking up because we know that our students don't thrive when they're not safe and healthy, and because every student deserves respect and equal opportunity."

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." MORE

Legislature Makes Gains on School Funding But Fails to Enact Fair School Funding Formula

“We organized. We held town halls. We called and emailed our legislators. We came together – parents, teachers, school support staff, school administrators, community members – and we made a huge impact for our kids,” said Taylor Pennington, a public school parent in Lima, Ohio. “This legislation enacts a student-centered school funding formula for the next two years that will help all our local schools deliver world-class opportunities. We need to keep raising our voices to make this a permanent funding formula.”

Worthington Libraries Staff Announce Union Effort

Today, staff at Worthington Libraries called on their library management to voluntarily recognize their union after they presented signed union cards from an overwhelming majority of library employees. The organizing campaign is led by staff from all three library branches.

“We love our jobs and we love the library,” said Coleman Mahler, an adult services librarian at the Northwest Library branch. “Now we’re asking for a voice in policy that affects us, autonomy over our working conditions and a library that works as hard for us as we work for our community.”

Ohio Federation of Teachers Urges Senate Passage of the Fair School Funding Plan

COLUMBUS, OH — Following the Ohio House of Representatives' passage of HB 305, Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper released the following statement: “Ohio’s public schools have gone decades without a constitutional school funding formula and are currently operating with no funding formula at all. That is too long for us to fail to meet our obligations to the 90% of Ohio children who attend our public schools."

Toledo, OH — As charter school teachers at Summit Academy Parma continue their strike, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and striking teachers spoke in Toledo outside the office of the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West. Lake Erie West is the sponsor for Summit Academy schools and has a record of ineffectiveness and failed oversight as a charter school sponsor, including the scandal-ridden Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT).

Parma, OH — Teachers at Summit Academy Parma began their strike today at 7:30 a.m. at the school building on Stumph Road in Parma. The teachers are striking over an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Summit Academy Management for their failure to negotiate in good faith. Through nine months of negotiations, teachers have been seeking: improved health and safety conditions, manageable class sizes and caseloads, planning periods, and standards that will allow the school to retain quality teachers and provide consistency for students.

Parma, OH — Teachers and intervention specialists at Summit Academy in Parma voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first union contract today, following a nine day strike. The contract includes gains for student learning conditions, including language on class size and staffing. Union members will have a strengthened voice through a Labor-Management Committee and a binding grievance and arbitration process. The contract does not include any economic gains for teachers, but there will be an economic re-opener in the fall after the school’s enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year is set.

Parma, OH — Tonight, teachers and intervention specialists at Summit Academy Parma announced their strike date, Tuesday, February 19, at a meeting of the school's Board of Directors. The announcement follows a nearly unanimous strike authorization vote on January 31, taken after nine months of negotiations.

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

Ohio Federation of Teachers and Ohio Education Association Oppose Legislative Attack on Trans Students

OFT Mourns the Passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Legislature Makes Gains on School Funding But Fails to Enact Fair School Funding Formula

Worthington Libraries Staff Announce Union Effort

Ohio Federation of Teachers Urges Senate Passage of the Fair School Funding Plan

AFT National President, Striking Teachers Highlight Lake Erie West’s Charter Failures

Summit Academy Parma Teachers Begin Strike

Summit Academy Parma Teachers Ratify First Contract

Summit Academy Parma Teachers Announce Strike Date at Board Meeting