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Grosvenor West 103
1 Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
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Human Resources

About Collective Bargaining

Since collective bargaining began in August 2025, 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.

As both parties work toward the first faculty bargaining unit contract in institutional history, Ohio University’s representatives in negotiations include Senior Associate General Counsel and Director of Labor and Employment Relations Michael Courtney, General Counsel Stacey Bennett, Vice President of 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. UAOU’s representatives include 10 faculty members selected by the union and a national representative from AFT.

The University remains committed to approaching all negotiations thoughtfully, respectfully and in good faith and will continue providing updates as appropriate. 

Items Subject to Collective Bargaining

Mandatory Bargaining Items (per Ohio Revised Code 4117.08): 

  • Wages 
  • Hours 
  • Terms and Conditions of Employment 

Items Under Management Oversight (and not typically subject to collective bargaining): 

  • Functions and programs 
  • Standards of service
  • Utilization of technology 
  • Organizational Structure 
  • Adequacy of the workforce 
  • Faculty workload

State Laws and Expectations

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 [PDF]. 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.

During the negotiation process, OHIO will also continue to maintain “status quo” related to wages, terms and conditions of employment for faculty represented by the union, which is required by the state’s guidelines on collective bargaining. 

Additional Collective Bargaining Materials and Documentation

Documents in an accessible format are available upon request.