Ohio Federation of Teachers

@oftunion.bsky.social

3530 Followers 219 Following

OFT represents Ohio educators & support staff (k-12, charter & higher ed), social workers, library workers & other public employees. Affiliate of AFT.

Congratulations to our 2026 Tom Mooney Memorial Scholarship winners: Roland Hyun Stevenson and Donovan Callahan!
Karen Rego speaking at a press conference with a sign on the podium that says "Keep public funds in public school act."
A graphic with a cartoon book holding up a sign that says "Rally for CML United, Franklin Park Amphitheater, Sunday June 7, 5:30-6:30 pm. Bring friends and family for a night of fun and solidarity.
Dear Pres. Williams-Scott: The Columbus Metropolitan Library is a pillar of our community. It’s front line staff who go to work every day to help our kids learn to read, create community for our seniors, allow our students a safe place to do their homework, and offer so many other important services to Columbus residents. I was excited earlier in the year to learn that these workers organized to form a union to ensure they have a formal voice in their workplace. As you may know, Columbus City Council sent a letter to CML Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lauren Hagan on December 24th, requesting that the organization remain neutral during the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) election process (See Enclosure). This request for neutrality was borne out of Council’s collective belief that workers should be able to choose to form a union without experiencing pressure from management. It has come to my attention that in the past several months CML leadership has ignored Columbus City Council’s request to remain neutral during the SERB election process. I recently met with CEO Hagan in an attempt to engage in productive dialogue regarding the communications sent to staff members, which in my opinion has strong anti-union messaging. Unfortunately, CEO Hagan made clear that she believed these anti-union communications were necessary and that they would continue throughout the SERB election process. Some of the communications to employees regarding the SERB election process are straightforward and factual in nature without an apparent anti-union bias. However, many other aspects of these communications are textbook union busting techniques. In my discussion with CEO Hagan, she asserted that CML is merely sharing information with workers. Again, while some of this information is factual in nature, the topics selected are clearly structured in a manner to dissuade workers from voting in favor of forming a union. Meanwhile, other materials
A graphic with text that says "Save Big on Graduate Courses" and a picture of a child with a piggy bank.
A graphic with Emily’s photo and this full quote: “Libraries make communities better, and unions make workplaces better. I know library workers show up for each other and for our community every day, and standing together by forming a union means that we can ask for and receive what we need – living wages, equal access to affordable benefits, and safety at work – to keep being helpers and leaders in Columbus. When we all work together, everyone wins!” — Emily, Librarian, Northern Lights Branch The graphic also has the CML United logo, which includes an illustration of two people, with different skin tones, holding a book, and the words, "CML United. Open to All."
A graphic with a large question mark. Text on the graphic reads: OFT's 2026 Member Survey. We want to hear how things are in your workplace, how you feel about priority public policy issues, and your opinions about the 2026 election.
A photo quote graphic with this quote: “We library staff deserve equity, a living wage, safety, and respect while serving our community. I love the library, I love the work we do, and I know that staff having a voice will only improve our ability to do that work. Our union will raise up and empower our voice.” — Kim, Customer Services Specialist, Southeast Branch
A graphic with Christianna’s photo and this full quote: “As a full-time, exempt employee, I am able to make a living from my work. I support unionizing because that should be true for every single worker at CML. There would be no libraries without the people who shelve our books, run our programs, or deliver our materials. Essential work should be compensated with livable wages and affordable benefits.” The graphic also has the CML United logo, which includes an illustration of two people, with different skin tones, holding a book, and the words, "CML United. Open to All."
A photo of Celeste's t-shirt. It shows a version of the CML United logo, but the human hands holding a book are replaced with a cat's paw and a tentacle.
a photo of RC with this full quote: "Library workers are key to upholding every person's right to read. We are the ones who hold the gates of knowledge and freedom open and push back against those who would see those gates locked tight, saying, 'not today'. When library workers unionize, we collectively become stronger — and that benefits everyone who walks through the gates they guard"
A graphic with a photo of Jade and this full quote: "Library workers are here to provide the public with knowledge and to encourage connection and exploration. This is incredible strength in political action, so when we rally together as library workers and union members, our ability to defend intellectual freedom and reading autonomy is too great to be ignored."
article excerpt: In a 1997 Ohio Supreme Court decision, it was determined that Ohio is unconstitutionally funding schools by utilizing an overreliance on property taxes. Despite this ruling, nothing has been done since 1997 by our state government to resolve our school funding issue. They’ve actually made it worse with the incorporation of charter schools and vouchers. This also goes hand-in-hand with the massive tax cuts our state government has lavished on corporations and billionaires.
A graphic with Zydeco’s photo and full quote: “Our libraries have been serving the community for 152 years, operating off of the motto 'Open to All,’ and we've implemented that in everything we do by providing essential services to everyone who comes through our doors. In order to keep helping our communities to the best of our abilities, we need to protect and support our library workers by securing safe levels of staffing and worker input on library policies.” The graphic also has the CML United logo, which includes an illustration of two people, with different skin tones, holding a book, and the words, "CML United. Open to All."
A photo of Jay (with a cat), and the quote that is in the text of the post. The graphic also has the CML United logo, which includes an illustration of two people, with different skin tones, holding a book, and the words, "CML United. Open to All."
Huge crowd shot at no kings rally
Group photo of CML workers wearing their CML United pins.
Part 1 of our full statement: “For the past seven years, we’ve seen a disconnect between Governor DeWine’s words and the end result of the policies and funding decisions he has put into place. Nowhere is this contrast more striking than in education policy. We agree with Governor DeWine’s focus on literacy education, student health centers, chronic absenteeism, and career tech education. As teachers, intervention specialists, counselors, paraprofessionals, speech language pathologists, librarians and library media specialists, and other educators, our members know that tackling each one of these issues is critical to improving public education in Ohio.
Ali Smith and Hannah Halbert from Policy Matters Ohio accepting an award
Shannon Hardin receiving an award
Clockwise from top right: Darold Johnson presenting an award to George Boas; Melissa Cropper and Shari Obrenski presenting an award to Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio; Senator Bill DeMora with his award; Senator Kent Smith with his award; Rep. Sean Brennan with his award.
A photo of Melissa Cropper, Darold Johnson, and Friend of OFT Award winners
Fran Lawrence presents the Dal Lawrence Lifetime Achievement Award to David Quolke.
OFT President Melissa Cropper at the microphone.
A group photo of OFT convention delegates and guests.
A photo collage. Photo 1: A group shot of Dr. Acton and TFT members. photos 2 and 3, Dr. Acton speaking to the crowd.
A letter from City Council: Lauren Hagan CEO of CML Dear Ms. Hagan, The Columbus Metropolitan Library system is a beloved asset that plays a vital role in Central Ohio. Your committed staff are on the frontline every day not just of our neighbors’ needs for learning and literacy but for social services and community. We understand those staff have applied for a union election. We are writing to affirm our support for the workers at Columbus Metropolitan Library to exercise their lawful right to organize a union with the Ohio Federation of Teachers. We request that you remain neutral throughout the organizing campaign and the election, refraining from actions to interfere with or delay their legally-protected efforts. City Council firmly believes in the right of workers to organize and in the laws that protect a fair, free, and lawful organizing process. History shows that strong, respectful partnerships between labor and management not only improve working conditions, but also strengthen institutions and the services they provide. When employees have a voice, organizations are better positioned to thrive. We hope Columbus Metropolitan Library will honor these rights as it considers its response to the organizing effort. Columbus Metropolitan Library is a leader among libraries. That excellence is sustained through a partnership between leadership and the skilled, dedicated, and compassionate professionals who make the library’s mission possible. The library workers seeking to organize are acting not only in support of their own well-being, but in service of the long-term strength and success of the library itself. City Council remains committed to advancing fairness and dignity in the workplace. These principles improve the lives of workers, strengthen organizations, and build stronger communities. Thank you for your outstanding leadership of Columbus Metropolitan Library and for your continued service to the residents and families of our community.
A graphic with a photo of Ty (a youth engagement specialist at Columbus Metropolitan Library's South High Branch) and his quote, which is in the text of this post. The graphic also has the CML United logo, which includes an illustration of two people, with different skin tones, holding a book, and the words, "CML United. Open to All."
Dec. 23, 2025 Lauren Hagan Columbus Metropolitan Library Dear Ms. Hagan, We have learned that a supermajority of your staff have signed union authorization cards and have applied for a secret ballot union election. We are writing to voice our support for these essential workers’ legal right to organize. We strongly believe in the rights of employees to form a union and the laws that protect that process. We ask that Columbus Metropolitan Library note these rights and give full and fair consideration to remaining neutral throughout the organizing campaign and union election. We understand neutrality during a union election to include refraining from communicating about the union with anyone in the bargaining unit, as well as not delaying the union election with legal challenges. Through our work in the Ohio General Assembly, we have seen the incredibly positive impact that CML makes in our communities. We have also seen how the hard work of library staff makes that positive impact possible. These workers deserve to have a voice at work to bargain for working conditions that will allow them – and in turn, their libraries – to thrive. Ohio has a longstanding tradition of growing our middle class and creating stronger workplaces through collective bargaining. The ability of workers to join together and collectively bargain for better wages and conditions is something we have fought for throughout our careers in public service. Once workers collectively determine they would like to form a union, public entities should demonstrate leadership by respecting that choice. Strong partnerships between labor and management are not only to improve employee conditions, but the institution as a whole. We hope that all workers, but at this moment especially CML staff, are able to choose to organize for a voice in their workplace, free from interference of any kind while they await their union election. Thank you for your outstanding work in Columbus and central Ohio.
A graphic with Sabrina's photo and full quote: “‘Open To All’ means ‘All’. We organize because we all believe in this message and we love the work we do. Open To All has been a core concept for Columbus Metropolitan Library since its founding, but it doesn't only apply to the people we help every day. We need to be open to supporting the lives of all of our staff members, from all walks of life.
a graphic with TJ's photo and this quote: ”We all deserve fair wages, fair treatment, and a workplace that we can be proud of.” — TJ, Customer Services Specialist, South High
A photo of Rahaf, with this full quote: “Library workers deserve safe, inclusive, and sustainable jobs so that they can serve their communities at their best. That won't happen if we don't have a say in the policies that affect our lives, our incomes, and our day-to-day interactions with patrons from all walks of life. Nobody knows what we need better than us!” — Rahaf, Customer Services Specialist, Martin Luther King Branch
A graphic with the Toledo Federation of Teachers logo, and a raised fist, and the words #unionstrong
A collage of photos of ACPA United members..
A graphic with a photo of Ada and this text: "ACPA is a place focused on creating safe spaces and allowing creativity to flow. We strive to give our students a space to be themselves and speak freely. A union opens up a door for staff to do the same. I want to see ACPA continue to grow and build strong relationships between staff members." — Ada, Intervention Specialist, 9th-12th Grade
A graphic with Sam's photo and quote.
A graphic with Alex's photo and quote: "ACPA is built on community building and collaborative work. A union just makes sense for us."
Brandon's photo with this quote: “Forming our union will give us a collective voice to reduce turnover by advocating for fair working conditions and meaningful input in decision-making. When teachers are supported and heard, we stay in the profession longer, creating stability and stronger relationships in the classroom. This benefits our students by ensuring they have experienced, dedicated teachers who can focus on their success.”
a graphic with Lily's photo and this quote: “I support forming a union at ACPA because the teachers and staff deserve to earn a fair wage and have a voice in decisions that affect us and our students.”
A graphic with a photo of Akilah, a Middle & High School Intervention Specialist at ACPA, and this quote: “Forming a union will help cultivate a workplace where staff members feel supported, valued, respected, and genuinely heard. A union helps level the playing field, strengthen teacher retention, and encourage authentic collaboration between administration and staff. When administration and educators operate on one cohesive page and present a united front, our school becomes a stronger, healthier, and more sustainable place for both staff and students.”
A graphic with Bobby's photo and quote and logos for OF and ACPA United.
Graphic with a photo of AJ, a Customer Services Specialist at CML Parsons Branch, with this quote: “For too long, CML has prioritized business-as-usual over employee health and wellbeing. When a car struck the Parsons Branch building earlier this year after closing on a Saturday, my coworkers were made to work the following day, a four hour Sunday shift, with a gaping hole in the wall covered by a single sheet of plywood. This seemed to pass without little reassurance of the structural integrity of our building or any consideration of the traumas such an incident would invoke. Staff deserve a seat at the table and a voice to advocate for safety measures when it’s our wellbeing at stake.”
A graphic with Sarah's photo and this full quote: “Our staff deserves to be at the table as our organization makes decisions that impact us directly. Without that opportunity, we will continue to be subject to unfair practices and an environment that fosters mistrust in our administration, and there will continue to be significant staff turnover. No one who has worked or does work at ACPA ever wants to leave our kids, and forming this union will empower us to feel that we can stay.”
A graphic with Jason's photo and this quote: “I want our voice to be heard during important decision-making processes. This will make teachers feel more valued and heard.”
A graphic with Charlie's photo and quote
A graphic with Lina's photo and quote
A graphic with a photo of Jude, an Adult Services Librarian at CML's South High Branch, with this quote: “Every worker at the library deserves safety, respect, and dignity, and the union is the only way we’ll get it. I had to fight to keep my health insurance during my cancer treatment and fight to come back to my job after. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.” — Jude
A graphic with Ellie's photo and quote.
A graphic with Chris's photo and quote.
A photo of Mar, a Customer Services Specialist at the Southeast Branch, with this longer quote: “I have seen so many of my public service coworkers give their everything to give the members of our community the best possible outcomes and support, and we as workers simply deserve the same. Forming a union builds a community-based power, giving us a seat at the table to actively influence how the library operates, ensuring we serve our community the best we can.”
A photo of Emily, a Youth Engagement Specialist at CML's South High Branch. With a longer version of her quote: “My colleagues and I go above and beyond for every person who enters the library on a daily basis. We all chose this profession because we want to help and serve our communities. All the while, most of us are unable to afford to live in the neighborhoods where we work. A union would provide us the chance to have a voice in how our own workplaces are run while holding those at the top accountable when necessary.”
A photo of Adi, a Customer Services Specialist at CML Main Library, with the same quote that is also in the post.
A photo of Ryan, a High School Social Studies Teacher at ACPA, with this quote from him: “We should all feel empowered to advocate for equity in the workplace. Forming a union will allow us to enact organizational change that makes a meaningful and lasting impact for our students and school community.”
A graphic with a photo of Phoebe and the text: “We can't rely on our administration or the government to protect our labor rights or the most vulnerable of our customers and coworkers. We need to protect each other, we need to have solidarity with each other, and we need to use the power that we have in our numbers to organize and demand that our rights and dignity as employees are upheld.” — Phoebe, Customer Services Specialist, Linden Branch