Faculty Petition for Representation

Update: On Monday, March 24, the Ohio State Employment Relations Board (SERB) opened and tallied election ballots in response to the proposed faculty union at Ohio University. The results as recorded by SERB were 453 votes in support of the establishment of a union and 189 votes against. Of the 795 eligible voters, approximately 80 percent cast a ballot; 145 eligible faculty members did not submit a ballot.

As instructed by SERB in its formal Tally of Ballots, election results are not official until voted on and certified by SERB. The proposed union is not the exclusive bargaining representative for the bargaining unit until voted on and certified by SERB, and negotiations cannot begin until SERB has certified the election. More info >>

Last spring, the United Academics of Ohio University (UAOU) filed a petition with the Ohio State Employment Relations Board (SERB) to be recognized as a collective bargaining unit on behalf of all faculty. In November 2024, Ohio University reached a tentative agreement with national union organizers representing UAOU on a proposed voting unit description.

University leadership continues to hear from faculty who support the formation of a union and others who oppose unionization. We remain committed to sharing information as it becomes available to help ensure that 1) all faculty have a voice in the process and the outcome and 2) the University community has a broad understanding of the issues and impacts this process may have.