Updates for November 2025
This month saw the WPLU E-Board enter into mediated negotiations with Worthington Libraries, and make great progress toward our 2nd contract.
Hello Members!
After a hectic last week of bargaining, we have tentatively agreed on all of the articles and MOUs in our second Union contract. Here’s the eBoard pretending to be alive after bargaining all day Monday, 11/10:
11/18: Board of Trustees reviewed and voted to approve on the Union contract during their meeting
So with the Board signing off on our contract, the ball is in our court to vote. So here is our RATIFICATION TIMELINE:
Members receive contract and summary of changes: Fri 11/21 [That’s this. This is that. The documents are attached]
In person Q&A date/times for NWL: Mon 12/1 from 12-1:30 and 4-5:15 in NWL Meeting Room.
In person Q&A date/times for WPK: Tues 12/2 from 12-1:30 and 4-5:15 in WPK Meeting Room.
In person Q&A date/times for OWL: Thurs 12/4 from 12-1:30 and 4-5:15 in OWL Learning Lab.
Virtual Q&A on the evening of Sun 12/7 - Zoom
Voting from Mon 12/8 to Fri 12/12 via a digital ballot sent by OFT
Action Items:
Support Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Unionization
Staff at Columbus Metropolitan Library have gone public with their union! They are organizing with the Ohio Federation of Teachers, just like we did. Here’s some of the coverage they’ve gotten:
Pledge of support: please send CML workers love here, and have your family and friends do the same. As you can imagine, they are exhausted, and words of encouragement and solidarity will mean a lot.
Upcoming Economic Blackout
Mass Blackout is in, Black Friday is out. Protest Trump by opting out of holiday shopping between November 25th and December 2nd (please do participate in Small Business Saturday, though). Plan ahead, avoid major corporations, shop small and pay in cash, if you’re spending!
Libraries WIN in Federal Court
A judge in Rhode Island issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so. Learn more here
OFT Conversation with Dr. Amy Acton
Join OFT on Thursday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m. for a conversation with Ohio Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton. Register to join us here!
The 2026 Governor’s election in Ohio will be crucial to the future of our state and to the work that OFT members do. Public education, libraries, healthcare, and mental health services are already under attack. We need to elect a Governor who will stand up and fight for Ohio workers, students, and communities
This zoom conversation will give us the opportunity to hear from Dr. Acton and ask her questions about her campaign, her priorities, and her positions on issues that matter to you.
Support the Starbucks strike
Starbucks workers have fought for years to establish fair union contracts, but have faced enormous backlash and union-busting under the leadership of three different CEOs. Currently, thousands of Starbucks workers are striking during the busy holiday. Show your solidarity by not crossing the picket line, and encourage your loved ones to do the same.
- Check out this Grid post for lots of alternatives, vetted by your coffee-loving colleagues.
- Visit nocontractnocoffee.org for more information, social media graphics and hashtags, and to sign a pledge of support.
AFT Updates from Gerta:
Our own Gerta Rehfeld attended a meeting for the American Federation of Teachers’ Program and Policy Council (PPC) and shared out some highlights, which will be included in November’s WPLU Blog post. The discussion included:
- Talk about the Blue Wave we saw during the most recent election
- Info about the CML union organizing
- An AFT lawsuit filed to fight for workers’ rights to earn Commercial Drivers’ Licenses
- Tax Talk!
- AFT and others are looking at how to better tax the rich with things like unitary taxation, which aims to eliminate tax havens by taxing multinational corporations according to where they do their work.
- The double-edged sword of tax cuts
- The attack on professional titles for nurses and other positions by the Department of Education
AFT wants to know how they can better help members! So think about areas of life that you’d like support in (student loans, health care, etc?), which will be discussed at the next meeting in February. So take some time to think about it, but please share your thoughts with Gerta (gogert93@gmail.com) so that she can represent us to the Program and Policy Council.
Posted on November 24th, 2025