President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), Melissa Cropper, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the first contract negotiations at Equitas Health Centers in Ohio. Cropper also discussed how two Ohio groups used awards from the American Federation of Teachers’ 2023 back-to-school innovation grants.
Negotiations at Equitas Health Centers in Ohio have been ongoing for a year and a half after winning their union vote in August 2022. The talks have been active, however, the two groups could not find common ground under the then-interim CEO for Equitas. Cropper talked about the recent CEO hiring at Equitas and how that has impacted the negotiations. She recapped the talks and how the solidarity of members has helped send a message to the employer that Cropper hopes will move talks closer to an agreement.
Every year, the AFT hands out back-to-school grants with a focus on improving the ability for teachers to educate students. One of the grant winners from 2023 is the Buckeye Local Schools in Medina County, which used the grant to fund the Confetti Project. Cropper said the project has been used to “spread kindness like confetti.” The school does this by partnering students with adults to read a book together and share a conversation about the book. She said that the project has been received well. The project has evolved to also connected students in elementary school with high school students. The project has become known as Books on Blankets.
Another winner of the back-to-school innovation grants from the AFT in 2023 was the Corey Rawson Education Association. They used the grant to fund a program that established a partnership with the YMCA to offer and expand on-site early child care for families in need. Cropper talked about the program's success and how it has improved kindergarten readiness and provided a pipeline for recruiting early childhood staff.
Hear more from Cropper by listening to the show above.