Faculty union contract negotiations continue in good faith
Ohio University and United Academics of Ohio University (UAOU) continue to engage in collective bargaining toward the development of the University's first faculty union contract. The University team remains committed to negotiating in good faith and looks forward to upcoming bargaining sessions as discussions continue on the remaining open articles.
Since bargaining began, the University and UAOU have met regularly and made progress on a number of contract provisions. The University remains focused on reaching an agreement that supports faculty while advancing the institution's academic mission and long-term success.
On May 7, 2025, the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) certified UAOU, which is affiliated with the American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers (AAUP/AFT), as the exclusive representative for approximately 800 Ohio University faculty members regarding terms and conditions of employment. The bargaining unit includes full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty, full-time non-tenure track instructional faculty, and full-time non-tenure track clinical faculty, with certain exclusions as established by SERB.
In addition to ongoing negotiations which began in August of 2025, the University continues to pursue appropriate administrative processes related to the faculty union election. In an effort to ensure and maintain a fair and equitable process, Ohio University previously filed a post-election objection with the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) requesting further review of concerns from faculty members related to ballot access and certain union campaign activities. A copy of the objection and supporting affidavit remain available on the University's website. This election-related matter is separate from collective bargaining and has not delayed the bargaining process.
As negotiations continue, Ohio University remains committed to following Ohio's collective bargaining laws and expectations. Under Ohio Revised Code 4117.21, collective bargaining meetings between public employers and employee organizations are private. The University continues to approach negotiations in that manner and believes productive bargaining is best supported by direct discussions between the designated bargaining representatives for each party.
Ohio University's bargaining team includes Senior Associate General Counsel and Director of Labor and Employment Relations Michael Courtney, General Counsel Stacey Bennett, Vice President for Finance and Administration David Moore, and Chief of Staff to the Executive Vice President and Provost Cary Frith. The University also is represented by outside counsel appointed through the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Ohio University remains committed to respectful, constructive negotiations and looks forward to continued discussions with UAOU as both parties work toward reaching a first collective bargaining agreement. Additional information about faculty unionization, collective bargaining, and frequently asked questions is available on the University's labor relations website.