Union wins at three libraries in 2023, set template for future efforts

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the organizing wins at CCAD and the Pickerington Public Library. Cropper also talked about OFT’s efforts to organize other libraries in the state and the difficulty of winning a first contract in the private sector.

A group of adjunct professors and full-time professors from the Columbus College of Art and Design recently won separate union elections to join the OFT. The adjunct professors faced low wages and were overworked by their employers. Unlike adjunct professors at public schools, because CCAD is a private school, they could file for union representation but had to do so separately from the full-time professors. The next step for the OFT is to file to combine the two bargaining units, Cropper said.

With the recent pro-union vote at the Pickerington Public Library, the OFT has organized its third library in 2023. The library workers faced low wages, no sick time and an inability to be fluid with where they work. Cropper said that 100 percent of workers showed up to vote, with 92 percent voting yes to unionize. With the three successful organization efforts, Cropper believes they now have the formula to run a successful campaign to organize additional libraries.

Cropper finally discussed the difficulties of earning a first contract in the private sector of the education system. What makes negotiating first contracts in the private sector so difficult is the ability for employers to hold a decertification vote after a year of negotiations. Cropper said many employers will drag their feet, and there are no rules to force a private school to negotiate in good faith. Cropper also discussed other potential issues that can come up with extended negotiations.

Listen to the episode above to learn more about Cropper and the OFT's organizing efforts.