Upper Arlington city leaders face criticism for alleged union busting efforts after five city fleet workers sought to join the local Teamsters union.
Documents obtained by WOSU show the city sent flyers critical of joining Teamsters Local 284 and used other tactics to try to discourage the workers from joining the union starting in 2025. In a statement, the Teamsters primarily place blame on City Manager Steve Schoeny, but are also critical of Mayor Ukeme Awakessien Jeter.
“The Upper Arlington City Manager and his staff used taxpayer funds to run an anti-union campaign on city time and with city resources. They sent anti-union materials to the homes of workers, encouraged employees to call them to talk about unions on work time, and were recorded by workers pushing their anti-union agenda," Teamsters President Mark Vandak said.
Vandak said the union repeatedly requested that Jeter authorize an independent investigation of their conduct, but that she has failed to authorize an investigation or even respond to the union's request.
"Instead, the City Manager doubled down and issued a policy prohibiting employees from making recordings in the workplace under penalty of discipline or discharge. We asked questions about exceptions to this policy, and so far, we have received no answers. City workers are on edge demanding clarity," Vandak said.
The Teamsters have represented city employees dating back to 1999. The fleet workers voted unanimously in March to join the union.
The flyers were sent to the five workers by the city in early February. The postcards claim "union promises are not guarantee," "wages and benefits are negotiated and may change," "Union dues may exceed $1,000 per year, deducted from pay and subject to change," and "no pay or health insurance during a strike when participating in a strike," among other statements.
Jeter, a second year mayor of the Columbus suburb, pushed back on allegations she was undermining the union effort in an interview with WOSU on Thursday. She also sent a statement to media that is critical of a post written by the political blog The Rooster for putting the onus on her.
But, Jeter said the city could have done better including with the flyers sent to the workers.
"I always think when something like that causes harm, your intent is not an excuse for the consequences. This is something I say to my city staff all the time. You could have intended only but the best, but the consequences didn't necessarily land that way," Jeter said.
Jeter said she doesn't micromanage communications between the city manager and staff and the cost of five postcards did not come before her office or city council for approval.
Jeter called the accusations "baseless" and said that Upper Arlington is considered a great place to work.
"We have three unions in the city. And we negotiate union contracts every single year with no drama. Which is why again, this timing just feels so politically targeted because this is not, it's not new for us to deal with unions," Jeter said.
Jeter pointed out that under Upper Arlington's government system, the city manager handles personnel matters like this, not the mayor. Other cities, like Columbus, have what's called a "strong mayor" system where the mayor has more direct control over these matters.
This dispute is taking place over the backdrop of Jeter running in a tough three-person primary for Ohio House of Representatives against former Upper Arlington City Council member Michaela Burris and Clintonville resident Zach Rossfeld. This election is for state Rep. Allison Russo's seat as she runs for Ohio Secretary of State.
Jeter said she thinks this is a political attack on her.
"It's a hundred percent a political attack. There's a threat, obviously, that I must be doing well or likely leading here. And that's what's causing this because there is nothing about my record, nothing about my values, nothing, about the work that I have done in the city," Jeter said.
Jeter said she is a proud Black immigrant woman and credits the civil liberties she enjoys in the U.S. to unions.
Jeter did work for the Taft Law firm, which the union contends has a history of anti-union activity. Jeter said she was an intellectual property attorney there, bringing new products and services to the market and didn't do any work in employment law.
