Oberlin College AAUP

08/16/2020

On Saturday, several Oberlin AAUP members attended a Farewell Parade for fired UAW workers.

08/01/2020

“Their frustration has been channeled into an effort called The Oberlin Just Transition Fund. Instead of giving donations to the college, alumni have pledged nearly $145,000 to go to workers who lost their jobs.

So far, more than 532 pledges have been made, and 2,400 alumni reportedly signed a petition saying they would not support Oberlin College through financial gifts unless it reverses course.

"There are a lot of Oberlin grads who are either working with trade unions or community groups that are very sensitive to these issues," Leopold said.”

Instead of giving donations to the college, a group of alumni have pledged nearly $145,000 to go to union workers who lost their jobs.

07/23/2020

We share with you the below press release and attached full statement from our friends and colleagues at OCOPE:

"OCOPE Statement on the Outsourcing of Oberlin College Union Jobs

Oberlin College Office and Professional Employees Union (OCOPE) has issued a statement regarding the college’s decision to eliminate 114 UAW staff positions in favor of contracted labor. OCOPE is one of the one of four labor unions on the Oberlin College campus and represents a variety of employees; Animal Caretakers, Lab Technicians, Piano Tuners, Librarians, Academic and Administrative Secretaries, Financial and Department Assistants.

Oberlin College announced on June 22nd their intent to outsource dining jobs to AVI Fresh, and on July 2nd their intent to outsource custodial work to Scioto Services, a subsidiary of Marsden Services. This decision to sever ties with dining and custodial workers directly affects essential employees during a time of pandemic when benefits such as insurance and a living wage are desperately needed. The cruel nature of the college’s decision has prompted the OCOPE executive board to speak out on the issue."

07/03/2020

“This is wrong. This is disgusting.

This is literally union busting.”

The below was emailed to Oberlin College faculty on July 2, 2020, in response to a message from President Carmen Ambar announcing the…

07/03/2020

Union-busting is unacceptable, and completely out of line with Oberlin's mission of social justice.

UAW has negotiated in good faith with the Oberlin College administration. In the face of escalating demands for savings from the…