The Columbus Metropolitan Library is facing union busting allegations as workers ready themselves for a mid-June vote to possibly form a union.
The Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) filed two charges against the library with the State Employment Relations Board on behalf of Columbus Metropolitan Library United, the name of the unionization effort. The charges allege the library wrongfully fired a union organizer and — separately — distributed a flyer that was misleading and allegedly coercive about unionization.
Kim Lowe, an organizer and customer service specialist at the library's Southeast branch, said CML is trying to disrupt the unionization effort, much like she said some private, for-profit companies try to do.
"(CML management) has had power for over 150 years. They don't want to give it up. And they know that we can win. And they're afraid of that," Lowe said.
The library refuted the charges in a statement to WOSU.
"CML is aware of the charges, and we believe they have no merit. We look forward to demonstrating that lack of merit to the State Employment Relations Board, which will ultimately make a determination on OFT's claims," the statement said.
The statement said CML respects the rights of our employees who are for or against unionization and continue to comply with the law. The statement also touted what it calls competitive wages for all employees, a comprehensive benefits package and paid time off.
"Our compensation and benefits serve as a benchmark for libraries in our region and throughout Ohio," the statement said.
The first filing document alleges the library fired Luke Avnaim, a driver/sorter with the library in February. At the time, the filing stated Avnaim was "openly engaged in protected concerted and union organizing activity on behalf of the Union, including advocating for unionization among bargaining unit employees."
The day after his termination, the library allegedly sent an email to employees stating Avnaim was no longer an employee and that he would not be allowed into the operations center "under any circumstances."
The filing claims the termination was unlawful and retaliatory.
Lowe told WOSU Avnaim was a founding member of the union's organizing committee dating back to April 2024. She said the union organizers were haggling with the library about which positions would be included in a potential union and the library argued against transportation employees like Avnaim being included.
"When the administration decided to allow the transportation department to be included in the bargaining unit, they almost immediately thereafter terminated Luke's employment," Lowe said.
The second filing points to a flyer sent titled "Duty to Bargain in Good Faith." This FAQ document was sent to employees in February. The OFT attached the flyer and pointed to specific language the library used in it, alleging it was misleading and coercive.
This included one question that asked: "WHAT WOULD EMPLOYEES RECIEVE IN EXCHANGE FOR UNION DUES AND FEES?"
The library answered the question by stating, in part: "The final contract could result in terms and conditions of employment improving, remaining similar to current arrangements or becoming less favorable for employees depending on the outcome of negotiations."
The filing also argues the library failed to mention administration officials have to sign off on certain aspects of the union.
Lowe said she loves working at the library and wanted to be positively surprised if the library stayed neutral. She said the unionization effort decided not to seek voluntary recognition, purely because it can delay the process if the administration decided not to voluntarily recognize the union.
"We would have liked for them to have remained neutral, to not employ these union busting tactics, these unfair labor practices. Other area libraries have shown respect to their workers and stayed neutral," Lowe said.
Lowe said the unionization effort is confident it will win a vote to form a union and that employees are smart enough to notice what she says the library is doing.
"It's insulting for management to spread this anti-union info. And I think that most staff recognize, amidst truths in it, and are frustrated and disappointed with management for putting it out and expecting that staff don't know better," Lowe said.
Lowe said a "supermajority" of an estimated 600 eligible employees who signed bargaining authorization cards would support creating a union.
Lowe said the vote will take place by mail-in ballots from June 16 through June 30.
