New support staff union in Ohio making big strides
Owens Support Staff Union Local #6325 Perrysburg, Ohio

Four months might seem like a long time to negotiate a contract. But many newly organized unions never even get a first contract, so the unhurried negotiations to reach an agreement for the Owens Support Staff Union was well worth the effort.

“Previous history with other unions usually showed very long negotiations, so we were ready for that,” says Gail Swartz, a purchasing agent at the campus and president of the union that represents about 80 secretaries, clerks, and buildings and grounds staff at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio. When the support staff voted in February to be represented by the AFT and the Ohio Federation of Teachers, they became the third AFT local on campus, joining previously organized locals of faculty and security and safety employees. In fact, the other two unions are in the middle of negotiating their own new agreements.

Swartz is pleased with the three-year agreement, which will carry the union through September 2008. Before they organized, the support staff had decent benefits, but salaries were a big concern. “What we were looking to do was protect all the things we previously had and get some increased wages without giving up anything,” she explains. “We can say we accomplished that mission.” In today’s environment, where unions are fighting to maintain pensions, health coverage and other benefits, that’s an impressive accomplishment. The union won 3 percent raises in each year.

Overall, Swartz adds, the negotiations brought out a good level of cooperation on both sides. She hopes that can continue through regular meetings of a new labor-management committee established as part of the contract. “This will allow both sides to talk over issues before they become bigger problems” and reduce grievances. Nevertheless, Swartz adds, the union is happy to have a new grievance procedure in place with the new contract.

Fla. local uses ads to show members' good work
Madison County affiliate highlights transportation issues in local papers

For a local union, getting publicity in the local media can be a mixed blessing. Often as not, the coverage is about something negative, even if the union is doing positive things to improve schools or services to students. Even letters to the editor can be cut and edited in ways that change the union’s intended message.

One solution is a paid advertisement. While an ad obviously costs money, it gives the union total control over the message to the public. That’s what the Madison County (Fla.) Education Association (MCEA) did to highlight the work of its members in conjunction with National School Bus Safety Week in October. “For the most part the only time MCEA has gotten any publicity in the local papers is when we are at the bargaining table and asking for a raise,” says MCEA president George Williams. “The ad allowed our community to see that we care about other things.” Specifically, the local highlighted the success of its drivers in transporting students safely. But it also called on administrators and parents to help in establishing clear rules for student behavior and reinforcing their importance, and it urged motorists to obey traffic regulations.

The large ad cost $325 to run in the two local weekly newspapers, and Williams is very happy with the positive reaction to it among members and the broader community. In fact, he says the union will probably do it again when another relevant issue or event comes up.