Ohio University encouraged by progress toward first faculty collective bargaining agreement

Ohio University and the United Academics of Ohio University (UAOU) continue to make meaningful progress toward OHIO’s first faculty collective bargaining agreement, with the parties reaching tentative agreements on numerous non-economic proposals and discussions are expected to increasingly focus on economic-related matters in the weeks ahead.

The University and UAOU have met regularly throughout the summer, and additional meetings are scheduled later this month. To date, the parties have held more than 25 negotiation sessions since August 2025 that have addressed a wide range of contract provisions presented by both parties.

With tentative agreements reached on numerous non-economic proposals, University leadership looks forward to building on the positive momentum of negotiations as discussions increasingly turn to compensation and other outstanding contractual items that have financial components. The University remains focused on reaching an agreement that supports faculty while advancing OHIO’s academic mission and long-term institutional success.

While specific discussions regarding collective bargaining meetings will remain private as required by Ohio law, the University will continue providing updates as appropriate.

Separately, the University continues to await the court’s decision on its appeal from the decision of the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) related to the union campaign and election process; this is not a lawsuit against faculty, as it has been mistakenly identified.  Additionally, this pending appeal is separate from collective bargaining and has not delayed the bargaining process. Rather, it seeks further review of SERB’s handling of the University’s post-election objections concerning adequate ballot access and certain union campaign activities. It is important to note that the appellate briefing was completed on October 6, 2025, and the University has spent no additional time or money on this matter as it awaits the court’s decision. 

UAOU represents approximately 800 eligible Ohio University faculty members regarding terms and conditions of their employment. The bargaining unit includes full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty, full-time non-tenure-track instructional faculty and full-time non-tenure-track clinical faculty, with certain exclusions as mutually agreed to and established through SERB.

For non-bargaining-unit faculty in the College of Health Sciences and Professions and the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Ohio University Board of Trustees recently approved the establishment of the Health and Medicine Faculty Council, creating a formal shared governance body that provides non-bargaining faculty with a dedicated outlet for representation, consultation and communication on matters affecting their professional responsibilities and terms and conditions of employment.

Additional information about faculty unionization, collective bargaining, and frequently asked questions is available on the University's labor relations website.