For Immediate Release
Monday Sep 12th, 2022
Equality Ohio Media Contact:
MD Sitzes
Equality Ohio Workers United Media Contact:
Kathryn Poe
equalityohioworkersunited@gmail.com
Equality Ohio Announces Formation of Historic Worker Union
Equality Ohio Workers United: “My colleagues and I are elated over the formation of the Equality Ohio Workers Union. Every day at work we aim to create an Ohio where people thrive with dignity and accountability. We are proud to be a part of an organization that values its employees and supports the labor movement. We hope this sets a precedence for other marginalized workers across the state. Queer workers’ rights start here.”
Equality Ohio: “Our work of realizing a fair and welcoming Ohio means that we respect and celebrate a person’s rights, including the rights to organize a union and bargain collectively. We deeply value our employees and the labor movement as a whole, and we are proud to voluntarily recognize the Equality Ohio Workers Union.”
The Chicago and Midwest Joint Board of Workers United: “The Chicago and Midwest Joint Board of Workers United is extremely excited to become the Union for Equality Ohio employees,” said Kathy Hanshew, Manager of the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board and International Vice-President of Workers United. “As a labor organization, we believe that all workers, regardless of race, creed, gender identity or sexual orientation deserve a union. Our newest members at Equality Ohio not only share our same values, but they also work to make sure everyone in the LGBTQ community gets the chances and care that they deserve. Our union is very proud of our newest members and the work they do. We also look forward to a constructive and positive relationship with the Directors and Executive Board of Equality Ohio. Even though our organizations share the same values, we look forward to learning more about the mission of Equality Ohio and how we can make sure that the entire Labor Movement joins their fight.”
Equality Ohio, Ohio’s statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy and legal aid organization, alongside the newly formed Equality Ohio Workers Union, are pleased to announce the voluntary and formal recognition of the Equality Ohio Union, affiliated with Workers United Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board, to represent full-time staff members.
Jen Scott, Statewide Field Manager, stated, “My colleagues and I are elated over the formation of the Equality Ohio Workers Union. Every day at work we aim to create an Ohio where people thrive with dignity and accountability. We are proud to be a part of an organization that values its employees and supports the labor movement. We hope this sets a precedence for other marginalized workers across the state. Queer workers’ rights start here.”
Executive Director Alana Jochum added, “Our work of realizing a fair and welcoming Ohio means that we respect and celebrate a person’s rights, including the rights to organize a union and bargain collectively. We deeply value our employees and the labor movement as a whole, and we are proud to voluntarily recognize the Equality Ohio Workers Union.”
“The Chicago and Midwest Joint Board of Workers United is extremely excited to become the Union for Equality Ohio employees,” said Kathy Hanshew, Manager of the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board and International Vice-President of Workers United. “As a labor organization, we believe that all workers, regardless of race, creed, gender identity or sexual orientation deserve a union. Our newest members at Equality Ohio not only share our same values, but they also work to make sure everyone in the LGBTQ community gets the chances and care that they deserve. Our union is very proud of our newest members and the work they do. We also look forward to a constructive and positive relationship with the Directors and Executive Board of Equality Ohio. Even though our organizations share the same values, we look forward to learning more about the mission of Equality Ohio and how we can make sure that the entire Labor Movement joins their fight.”
Formal negotiations are set to begin as soon as October. The announcement comes as eligible Equality Ohio employees working with the organization filed petitions for union elections. Founding union members initially voted to join the national union Workers United during June Pride month. It has been one of the most successful Union drives of an LGBTQ+ organization in the country, and one of the first for a nonprofit in Ohio.
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Equality Ohio identifies and transforms systems and institutions so LGBTQ+ Ohioans can fully access legal and lived equality. Equality Ohio envisions an Ohio where people are welcome, affirmed and flourishing.
The Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board strives to be a leading organization in union activism and labor education. Our mission is to make sure our members get the best representation at work, while they learn about their rights in an unfair economic system. We want our members and all workers in America to get living wages, safe workplaces, and to see the end of draconian right-to-work laws.
Equality Ohio Workers Union was founded in June 2022 as an act of solidarity, self care, and preservation of queer equity in the workplace. We are proud to be one of the most successful Union drives of an LGBTQ+ organization in the country, and one of the first for a nonprofit in Ohio.
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