A supermajority of Columbus Metropolitan Library workers on Friday submitted signed union cards to the State Employment Relations Board to begin the union election process.
About 630 workers, including librarians, customer service specialists, drivers, sorters and others are seeking to join the Ohio Federation of Teachers. That would include workers at all 23 library branches and the library's operations center in Gahanna.
The workers want better pay and working conditions, including what they call safe staffing levels and worker input on library policies.
The vote is expected to happen some time next year.
In a Friday statement, library officials said they will review the employees' petition. Officials also said they respect the rights of employees who are for or against unionization and will comply with the law.
