University of Akron Staff Employees Ratify First Contract

CWA Local 4302 members at University of Akron attend a contract explanation meeting.

Administrative staff workers at the University of Akron have ratified their first contract.

"A couple of years ago they came to us because the public sector in Ohio was under attack by the legislature, and they felt like they needed a voice at the table," said CWA Local 4302 President Todd Leyda. "Their motto was, 'We need a voice for respect, opportunity and security.' We tried to follow that all the way through and it paid off."

The university workers voted for the agreement on Jan. 10, and the University of Akron Board of Trustees approved it on Feb. 5. The contract includes language on a streamlined grievance procedure, seniority protections and career advancement opportunities.

The administrative staff is the "backbone of the university," said Leyda. These 350 workers run all of the internal operations of the university, from the president's office down to payroll.

In the following months the local will be working to build a strong, effective stewards organization.

CWA also represents another 270 workers in food service and trades at the University of Akron.