Striking Lorain County Job and Family Services Workers Escalate Call on Commissioners to Settle Labor Crisis as Critical Public Services Remain at Risk

After over a month on strike, UAW Local 2192 members at Lorain County Jobs and Family Services are escalating their call on the County Commissioners to settle the growing labor crisis triggered by the Commissioners’ unprecedented move to reject a neutral fact-finder’s report and illegal refusal to meet at the table, which has left critical public services at risk.

On Wednesday, March 25, workers will meet with County Commissioners for the first time since going on strike in a state-mandated mediation relating to the unfair labor practice charges filed by UAW Local 2192 members after County Commissioners illegally refused to bargain. Ohio law requires both parties to meet and work through their differences in good faith to keep public services up and running for the taxpayers, a goal the Union has strived for from the beginning despite the County’s continuous pushback.

One day before the scheduled mediation, on Tuesday, March 24, workers will once again take to the County Commissioners’ Board meeting, an action that dozens of JFS workers have taken at recent meetings since the strike began on February 18.

“We are entering March 25’s mediation with one goal: to get back to the table for the residents that rely on our vital services,” said Gina Jones, Chairperson for UAW Local 2192. “This is an opportunity for the County Commission to settle this crisis. JFS workers want to be back at work serving the people of Lorain County, but they can’t do that if they can’t even afford to feed their own families. All we’re asking for is $1.00 per hour raises.”

Since February 18, 120 workers – who manage elder abuse investigations, home daycare inspections, and SNAP and Medicaid support – have held picket lines outside the JFS building every day, with additional picket lines added outside the County Administration Building. Throughout the strike, Commissioners have publicly refused to return to the negotiating table, as workers continue to mobilize and speak out at County Commissioner Board meetings.

On February 24, JFS workers filed Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against the County for refusing to bargain in good faith. Ohio law requires both parties to meet and work through their differences in good faith to keep public services up and running, a goal the Union has strived for from the beginning despite the County’s continuous pushback.

The workers’ remaining demand is a one dollar per hour wage adjustment to bring workers closer to the pay levels of comparable Ohio counties. The cost would total $290,000, far less than the Commissioners’ salaries, or the millions of dollars the Commission has added in dozens of new administrative positions straining the County General Revenue Fund over the past five years. JFS operations are primarily funded through state and federal pass-through dollars, not the County General Fund.

Given the nature of the crucial public services JFS workers perform, the County’s illegal refusal to bargain and misplaced priorities have created not just a workforce crisis but have pushed Lorain County to the brink of a public service crisis. While average wages for Lorain JFS workers trail nearly all Ohio counties, County Commissioners increased worker healthcare costs by 50% – leading to a crisis where 90 out of 140 positions at JFS have seen employee turnover in just the past five years.

These issues come alongside the County’s clumsy decision-making which nearly led to the repossession of police vehicles, and to the County Auditor claiming retaliation from the Commissioners after he refused illegal requests, among other blunders. County Commissioners are also up against universal opposition from local organizations, community members, and even newspaper editorial boards as they force an unpopular “megasite” development forward.

Meanwhile, as County Commissioners deny JFS workers a fair contract that addresses staffing shortages, recruitment, and excessively high turnover challenges – they have no issue with increasing six-figure management positions by 142% in the same period (growing from 65 to 157 positions making over $100,000).