Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the big win for labor against Ohio State Issue 1. Cropper also spoke about organizing libraries and school board elections.
The Ohio Special Election held in August for Issue 1 resulted in a 57 percent no vote, which denied the proposed change to the state constitution. Most August elections see less than 10 percent of the eligible voters turn out for the vote, and this election drew a 37 percent voter turnout. Cropper believes this can be attributed to the coalition of labor and other state entities who worked together to educate voters on the topic. It showed Cropper and the rest of Ohio that the majority of Ohioans want to keep their democratic rights and the simple majority rule, no matter their party affiliations.
Recently, the OFT has been focusing on organizing libraries across the state. With the current attack on libraries, the OFT has pledged to do what it can to help protect the future of library workers and the important role libraries play in local communities. This past week, the OFT successfully organized the workers at the Pickerington Library after recently organizing two other libraries in Central Ohio. As workers continue to seek union representation, the OFT will be there to help make it happen, Cropper said.
Along with the attack on libraries, Cropper believes educators and their philosophies are under attack as well. She called school board elections ground zero for this battle and explained how the OFT is seeking qualified individuals to support school board positions nationwide. Many people who want to make it their personal mission to install their personal beliefs into the school curriculum are running for school board, she said. If they win, Cropper believes they will destroy public education.
For more on the Ohio Federation of Teachers, click the play button above.