For Immediate Release
April 13, 2026
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
Upper Arlington Library Workers Ratify First Contract
UPPER ARLINGTON, OH — Library workers at Upper Arlington Public Library have ratified their first contract after nearly two years of bargaining. Members of the union, Upper Arlington Public Library United Staff (UAPLUS), voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratification last week. The contract makes huge gains on the issues that motivated library staff to form their union, including improved paid time off benefits for part-time employees, paid parental leave, guaranteed raises, and protections against unfair discipline.
“As a bargaining committee, we worked hard in negotiations to make the improvements in our workplace that we and our co-workers need so our libraries can be workplaces where we can thrive and build a career,” said Josh Stewart, a training and support coordinator at Tremont Road Library. “We’re excited to work together to implement and enforce this contract and to negotiate an even stronger contract when we’re back at the bargaining table in a couple of years.”
The new contract includes six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees, paid leave for employees if they are assaulted at work, and an increase in vacation time and sick time for part-time workers, who make up the majority of the workforce. The contract also includes guaranteed raises of 9% through the three-year contract and ensures that all workers, full- or part-time, are eligible for tuition reimbursement to pursue an MLIS degree.
With their new union contract, library workers will be able to raise issues through a new labor management committee, a collaboration in which the union and library can continue to work together to solve or prevent problems in the workplace.
Employees also won “just cause” and progressive discipline protections, which ensure that employees are terminated only for just cause that is consistent with the contract and workplace policies and provide employees with opportunities for job performance improvement for less serious infractions. Provisions of the contract are enforceable through a binding grievance and independent arbitration process.
“We formed our union because we know that library staff have invaluable, on-the-ground experience and knowledge that deserves respect and consideration,” said Jody Casella, a branch associate at the Lane Road Library. “We’re proud of the contract we negotiated and we’re excited to improve communication in our libraries and build a new relationship with management, one based on collaboration and mutual respect.”
UAPLUS is the fifth Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) local union of library workers to finalize a contract, following library workers in Worthington, Grandview Heights, Pickerington, and Delaware County. Athens County library workers are currently negotiating their first contract as well. All of these local unions organized with OFT in the last five years.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee and members of UAPLUS on finalizing their first union contract!” said OFT President Melissa Cropper. “Library workers help foster a lifelong love of reading, they create safe spaces for our kids and teens, and they help our neighbors access important social services — and those workers deserve a voice at work, job security, and workplace policies rooted in respect and fairness.”
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Upper Arlington Public Library United Staff is affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) and the American Federation of Teachers. OFT also represents library workers at Worthington Libraries, Grandview Heights Public Library, Pickerington Public Library, Delaware County District Library, and Athens County Public Library. Library workers at Columbus Metropolitan Library are currently organizing their union to join OFT. 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.