Myth: Ohio University is suing its faculty in an attempt to block or delay unionization and a collective bargaining agreement.
Fact: Ohio University has not filed a lawsuit against its own faculty. The appeal currently pending [PDF] before the court concerns an election-related issue that is separate from collective bargaining and has not delayed the bargaining process.
Additional context: Shortly before the faculty union election in March 2025, University leadership received complaints from members of the proposed bargaining unit alleging they were being required to join the union or sign union cards before being allowed to attend informational meetings about unionization. If true, these allegations raised concerns that some faculty may have been denied access to information needed to make an informed decision regarding union representation.
Because the University has a responsibility to represent the interests of all faculty, leadership requested the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) investigate and review the complaints from faculty members. When SERB’s initial response to the University appeared inconsistent with the law and its own rules and procedures, the University appealed and asked the appellate court to remand the matter to SERB for further review. Appellate briefing was completed on October 6, 2025. Since then, the University has spent no more time or money on the matter as it awaits the court’s decision.
Myth: Ohio University is delaying the bargaining process by refusing to respond to proposals from the UAOU.
Fact: From the outset of negotiations, the University informed the UAOU bargaining team that it would prioritize reaching tentative agreements on non-economic provisions before moving to proposals involving compensation and benefits. This sequencing is a very common approach in collective bargaining.
Once the parties reached tentative agreement on the final non-economic proposal presented by UAOU, the University immediately provided responses to compensation-related proposals.
There have been no intentional delays. The University’s negotiations team has worked diligently to advance the parties toward a first collective bargaining agreement for faculty. Like most labor negotiations, particularly those involving a first contract and a faculty negotiating team whose members possess varying degrees of experience with public-sector higher education bargaining, this process takes time, with proposed language often undergoing substantial review and multiple revisions to reflect applicable requirements and established public-sector higher education practices. As the parties work through complex issues and develop contractual language for an initial agreement, careful review and discussion will remain essential.
Myth: Ohio University is spending significant money on legal consultants to represent them in the negotiation process.
Fact: Because this is Ohio University’s first-ever faculty union contract, leadership determined it was important to have labor counsel experienced in negotiating such an agreement. To support that effort, the Attorney General’s Office assigned counsel with specialized expertise in negotiating faculty contracts at public universities.
Myth: Ohio University leadership is refusing to give faculty raises.
Fact: Ohio law requires employers to maintain “status quo” regarding terms and conditions of employment, including wages, for bargaining unit members while collective bargaining negotiations are underway. The status quo period begins as soon as a union is certified. In May 2025, the State Employment Relations Board certified the election establishing a faculty bargaining unit representing approximately 800 faculty at Ohio University. Since that time, the University has maintained the status quo for all bargaining unit members, consistent with its legal obligations.
Myth: Ohio University is “wasting tax and tuition dollars on union busting.”
Fact: UAOU’s incorrectly claims that the University is actively delaying negotiations with the goal of seeking to stop the unionization effort. This claim is inaccurate and entirely unfounded. The University has participated in negotiations at the bargaining table for more than a year working diligently to negotiate a contract that supports faculty, advances OHIO’s academic mission, and promotes the institution’s long-term sustainability. Negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement is a complex process that frequently takes 18 months to two years, and sometimes longer.
Beyond the time invested by University personnel, the only investment the University is making in the negotiation is in essential legal counsel that was assigned by the Ohio Attorney General’s office.
UAOU has every right to communicate publicly and advocate for its positions. However, while public campaigns may influence perceptions about negotiations, OHIO has chosen not to invest resources in paid advertising related to the collective bargaining process as UAOU has done. Instead, the University’s focus remains committed to and focused on the important work happening at the negotiating table.
Myth: Ohio University doesn’t share the faculty union’s goal to negotiate a fair contract.
Fact: Ohio University shares UAOU’s goal of reaching a fair and effective first faculty collective bargaining contract. Fairness should not be measured by the speed at which an agreement is reached, but by whether the final contract successfully supports faculty, strengthens OHIO’s academic mission and promotes long-term institutional sustainability. The University believes it is important to take the time necessary to develop an agreement that serves faculty, students, and future generations of the OHIO community.
Since negotiations began in August 2025, the University and UAOU have participated in more than 27 bargaining sessions, exchanged numerous proposals and counterproposals and reached tentative agreements on multiple contract provisions. Additional negotiation sessions are scheduled, and significant work remains. OHIO remains committed to negotiating thoughtfully, respectfully and in good faith as the parties continue working toward a final agreement.
