A Holiday Message to OFT Members: The Year Behind Us and the Year in Front of Us.

As 2019 draws to a close, I want to wish you holiday greetings and also reflect on the year that is behind us and the year that is in front of us.

In 2019, OFT members demonstrated our collective power in our schools, on the picket line, at school board meetings, and at the ballot box.

We initiated and won the first charter school strike in Ohio leading to improvements, like better staffing and safer buildings, that have a direct impact on our students.

We passed school levies to keep our schools strong and we elected one of our own members to Toledo’s city council.

We made our voice heard on school funding and other education issues and will continue to do so until we have a fair and equitable school funding formula.

And, often in challenging environments, our members negotiated strong contracts that strengthen our union voice, protect healthcare and other benefits, and move us forward on wages. Congratulations to all our locals who settled new contracts this year: Beachwood (Teachers and Support Staff), Berea, Blanchard Valley, Brookfield, Clear Fork, Cleveland, Cleveland ACTS (contracts at Accel Schools and Summit Academy), Cleveland Heights, Georgetown, Grand Valley, Jackson-Milton, Liberty-Benton, Mineral Ridge, New Lexington, Oregon, Triad, Vanlue, Terra State Community College, and Central Ohio Technical College.

We also added three new staff positions — a State Affiliate Political Organizer, Community Learning Center Organizer, and an additional Field Coordinator — which will help us organize and represent our members in new ways.

2020 will be another busy year. We still need to fix Ohio’s broken, unconstitutional school funding system. We need to fight back against union-busting organizations that are targeting us, like the Buckeye Institute and the Freedom Foundation. We need to continue growing our union by organizing internally for 100% membership in every local and by organizing externally, especially in charter schools and higher education where low union density has led to weaker standards. And we need to elect candidates who will protect public education and workers rights.

I couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside you in these fights for education justice. I hope your holiday break is joyous and restful.

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy New Year!