Education
Akron Teachers Union Files 3rd Unfair Labor Practice Charge in Year Against Administration
Source: https://www.beaconjournal.com/
The Akron Education Association has filed its third unfair labor practice charge against the Akron Public Schools administration within a year. The latest charge claims that Superintendent Michael Robinson’s administration has been bypassing union representation by directly engaging with union members on certain matters and replacing union jobs with non-union workers.
Key Highlight:
- AEA President Pat Shipe stated that the decision to file the unfair labor practice charge was not taken lightly. He expressed concern over the administration’s disregard for the agreement and state law, along with the Board’s support for a superintendent who violates these protections. Shipe emphasized that this situation jeopardizes the integrity of the collective bargaining process and the livelihoods of educators, leaving the AEA no choice but to seek legal remedies.
- The Akron Education Association (AEA) filed a charge with the State Employment Relations Board in Columbus, citing ongoing anti-union behavior by Akron Public Schools (APS) leadership. The AEA alleges that Superintendent Robinson and his administration are deliberately replacing union jobs with non-union employees and bypassing the AEA by directly negotiating with union members. This conduct, they argue, undermines the rights and protections of AEA members under the collective bargaining agreement and Ohio law. The legal process may take months, involving mediation, hearings, and appeals. The AEA contends that these actions violate the law and disregard their exclusive status as representatives of their members.
- The Akron Education Association (AEA) pledged to file an unfair labor practice charge after Superintendent Robinson issued a statement suggesting that teachers should not consult their union representatives about classroom procedures. Following the union’s threat, the administration issued a retraction, claiming the initial quote was incorrect. Robinson later denied making the original statement, asserting he is “very pro-union.” Despite this, the AEA argues that the retraction was insincere and part of a broader pattern of union-busting. Additionally, the charge includes complaints about the removal of teachers from union-protected positions in the main office, forcing them back into classrooms or into non-union jobs that were essentially the same roles under different titles.
- The Akron Education Association (AEA) has taken its first public legal action regarding the removal of teachers from union-protected positions, as noted in a recent filing. This follows two previous unfair labor practice charges: one in January, which claimed the administration violated the contract by outsourcing tutoring jobs to an outside firm, Varsity Tutors, instead of using Akron teachers. Although the board withdrew the contract, the union pursued the charge for transparency and accountability. The second charge, filed in July, involved the administration’s failure to process grievances promptly.
Image Source: https://www.beaconjournal.com/
