The Delaware County District Library Board of Trustees has authorized a secret ballot election in response to a group of library employees seeking to form a union. Following the submission of union cards signed by 71.6% of library employees to the Ohio State Employee Relations Board, the board decided to move forward with the election process rather than voluntarily recognizing the union. The decision was made during a meeting on Friday, where Board President Scott Tiede read a statement explaining the board’s reasons for choosing the secret ballot option.
In a statement issued by the organizers of the union, they expressed disappointment that the board did not voluntarily recognize the union but appreciated the commitment to neutrality. They expressed their desire to move forward with the election process and negotiate their first contract in order to have a voice in decisions that affect their work.
According to the Ohio State Employee Relations Board’s website, mail-in ballots will be sent to eligible voters, and the ballots must be returned within a 14-day polling period. The election results will be certified by SERB, and if the employee organization prevails, the union will be certified. Both parties are looking to move forward with the election process in a fair and impartial manner to ensure that all voices are heard in the decision-making process.
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