Ohio Federation Of Teachers

NEW UNION: Today, library workers at Delaware County District Library delivered signed union cards from a supermajority of workers and asked their library leadership to respect their decision and recognize their union! “We love our libraries and many of us want to build long-term careers here. That’s why we’re coming together to form our union so we can fight for a voice in decisions that affect our work and for improvements — like parental leave, equitable benefits for part-time workers, and wage increases — that will reduce turnover and improve workplace standards.” --- Kaleb Kramer, adult services specialist at the Liberty Branch Library

OFT President Cropper writing about J.D. Vance for Barn Raiser: "Donald Trump might think that rural voters, Appalachian voters or Midwestern voters will look at J.D. Vance and see ourselves. We don’t. We see the mine owner who poisons the air and water; we see the factory owner who leaves town to make a higher profit overseas; we see the Big Ag executives who make it near impossible for family farms to thrive—and we see the empty suit politicians who sell us out to please their billionaire donors."

NEW UNION: Overwhelming Majority of Workers at Athens County Public Libraries Call for Union Recognition ACPL workers seek to become the fifth Ohio library workforce to join the Ohio Federation of Teachers since 2021. 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. “An Athens County Public Libraries staff union is something our patrons deserve just as much as we do,” said Carter Beeson, a Children Services Librarian at Nelsonville Public Library. “As front-line librarians and library workers, we hear daily from patrons both what they love about their libraries, and what could be better. I believe this gives us unique knowledge of and responsibility for the services we provide to the public. But the power necessary to honor that responsibility requires respect, fair wages, and a voice in the decisions that affect our work.” “After our union is recognized, I look forward to negotiating a contract that provides a living wage for all staff,” said Andrea Anderson, a Library Associate at Athens Public Library. “Currently, some full-time staff qualify for food assistance. That is unacceptable and we can change it with the power of collective bargaining.” Full press release:

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Congratulations to OFT members at Equitas Health who recently negotiated and ratified their first ever union contract! The union contract includes a wage increase, a signing bonus, a binding grievance and arbitration process with direct participation from the Board of Trustees, a labor-management committee, and more.?

Libraries are essential infrastructure in our communities, providing information, entertainment, and public services.?In order to meet the needs of our patrons and to set standards that allow us to recruit and retain highly skilled staff,?librarians and library workers need a voice.?We also need and deserve fair treatment and job security. That’s why library workers in Ohio — across multiple library systems — are coming together to build their union and have a voice at work. Interested in learning more? Send us a message or email OFT's organizing department at?[email protected]

Yesterday, an overwhelming majority of library workers at Upper Arlington Public Library announced formation of their union - Upper Arlington Public Library United Staff (UAPLUS). They're seeking to become the 4th central Ohio library system to form their union with OFT since 2021!