For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 13 2024
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
Overwhelming Majority of Workers at Delaware County District Library Call for Union Recognition
DCDL workers seek to become the sixth Ohio library workforce to join the Ohio Federation of Teachers since 2021
DELAWARE, OHIO — Today, an overwhelming majority of librarians and library workers at Delaware County District Library (DCDL) called on their Director and Board of Trustees to recognize their union.
“We love our libraries and many of us want to build long-term careers here,” said Kaleb Kramer, adult services specialist at the Liberty Branch Library. “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.”
“A united staff is a stronger staff, and when we come together we can give greater voice to our concerns and the concerns of the community,” said Collin Clemons, an Outreach Associate for DCDL. “Forming our union will empower DCDL employees to bring about change and it will give us a seat at the table.”
The employees are aiming to be the sixth Ohio library system to join the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) since 2021. Most recently, staff at the Athens County Public Libraries (ACPL) went public with their union on July 29; just a few days later, the ACPL Board of Trustees announced that they will recognize the union. Prior to that, workers at the public libraries in Worthington, Grandview Heights, Pickerington, and Upper Arlington organized their unions in affiliation with OFT.
Copies of signed union cards from an overwhelming majority (71.6%) of eligible 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. DCDL’s Board of Trustees will have 21 days to decide whether to recognize the union voluntarily or force an election through SERB. Library workers in Grandview Heights and Athens County had their unions voluntarily recognized by their Board of Trustees, while library workers in Worthington, Pickerington, and Upper Arlington had landslide wins in union elections after their Boards declined to recognize their unions voluntarily.
“We’re seeing a union movement of library workers in Ohio who understand that they need a strong, organized voice that allows them to advocate for themselves, their patrons, and their profession,” said Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. “Our members across Ohio – in public libraries, K-12 schools, community and technical colleges, and social service agencies – are thrilled to support DCDL workers, and we urge the library to respect the majority decision and recognize the union.”
“Every staff member is essential to the library and we’ll use our union voice to make sure every staff member is respected and compensated fairly for the incredible work they do,” said Megan Shoemaker, an Adult Services Librarian at the Liberty Branch Library.
In addition to the public libraries in Worthington, Grandview Heights, Pickerington, Upper Arlington, and Athens County, staff at six more organizations also formed unions in affiliation with OFT since 2021 (Columbus College of Art & Design, Equitas Health, the School of Bright Promise, Summit Academy in Lorain, Menlo Park Academy in Cleveland, and KIPP Columbus charter schools).
Supporters can take action by contacting the leadership of Delaware County District Library here.
The Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) is a state federation of 60 local unions of active and retired public school teachers and staff, charter school teachers and staff, higher education faculty and staff, social workers, library workers, and public employees. OFT works to advance quality public education, intellectual freedom, and a voice in the workplace for Ohio’s education & public service professionals. OFT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers.