Tag Archive for: Region 2B

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UAW President Shawn Fain Joins Lorain County Jobs and Family Services Workers Preparing for February 18 Strike Deadline

With two days to go before a February 18 strike deadline, UAW President Shawn Fain and Region 2B Director David Green joined UAW Local 2192 members at Lorain County Jobs and Family Services in making preparations to walk off the job on Wednesday morning if County Commissioners continue to refuse to agree to a fair contract.

“The workforce crisis at Lorain County Jobs and Family Services is a public service crisis,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Today, the UAW is standing up for strong public services that Lorain County residents depend on. An agency that can’t keep staff because they can’t afford to eat lunch or have their children on their healthcare plan – that’s an agency in crisis.”

Around 150 UAW Local 2192 members at Jobs and Family Services in Lorain County provide critical frontline public services – including child welfare support and public benefits administration – to some of the county’s most vulnerable residents. Despite the essential nature of this work, the workforce is facing severe economic and staffing instability. JFS management and the Lorain County Commissioners have refused to offer a fair contract after months of negotiations.

In the last five years, turnover has reached crisis levels at JFS. That’s while County Commissions have increased healthcare costs for workers by 50%, as average wages remain less than at Jobs and Family Services in other Counties across Ohio.

“UAW Local 2192 has been ready and remains ready to negotiate and settle this contract immediately,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “But right now, the County is giving workers – and the public – zero options. Resolving this crisis matters to every family in Lorain County because when workers can’t afford to stay on staff to do the critical work at Jobs and Family Servies, public services simply can’t function.”

The current conditions have created a crisis for the JFS workforce with many facing harsh financial hardships. And while the workers struggle to make ends meet, the County adds dozens of administrative positions that earn six-figure salaries.

“We are prepared to reach a fair agreement that stabilizes our workforce at Lorain County Jobs and Family Services and protects critical public services,” said UAW Local 2192 Chairperson Gina Jones. “But right now, we have JFS workers putting their children on Medicaid, skipping meals, or relying on food banks because they can’t afford the County’s health plan – the same people who administer public assistance programs to others in need. That’s why UAW Local 2192 members are unified and ready to strike on February 18 unless the County changes its position.”

UAW Local 2192 members at JFS remain ready to negotiate in good faith to reach a fair agreement for the people of Lorain County. In the meantime – as no proposal on the table or any willingness from the County to reach a deal that addresses turnover, retention, and service collapse – workers will maintain a deadline of February 18 when they will launch strike lines outside the JFS building at 42485 North Ridge Road beginning 6:30 a.m. sharp.

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UAW Members Take Working Class Agenda to Capitol Hill on Day 3 of 2026 National CAP Conference

UAW Vice President Rich Boyer and Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell with region members lobbying on Capitol Hill on Day 3 of the 2026 National CAP Conference in Washington, D.C., on February 10, 2026.

UAW members took the union’s working-class agenda to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, lobbying political leaders to support legislation advancing the union’s four core issues.

Delegates from each of the UAW’s nine regions met with their respective elected representatives to share their personal stories and to push for pro-worker policies, including affordable healthcare, protecting and expanding worker rights to freely organize, shorter work weeks and improved paid leave, and real retirement security for every American.

On Tuesday evening, UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock welcomed attendees to the Congressional & Movement Allies Reception, reminding UAW members that it’s on all of us to fight for a better tomorrow.

“If there’s one thing that’s been made absolutely clear over the last forty years, it’s that billionaires and corporations will never use their influence and power over our government to make life better for everyday Americans,” Mock told attendees. “Only WE can do that. It is our time to lead and to stand up to the oppressive forces we are seeing today… to give people inspiration, hope, and the belief that, if we stand together and fight, we can ensure our country works for working people.”

The final day of the 2026 National CAP Conference will convene at 9 am tomorrow and will feature U.S. Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock (GA), a Michigan Senate Forum at 10 am, followed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (VT). All three events will be livestreamed on UAW YouTube, X, and Facebook.

Recap of Day One of the National CAP Conference
Recap of Day Two of the National CAP Conference

For more information on this year’s event, visit UAW.org/CAP2026.

 

UAW 2B, Local 2192 Workers at Lorain County Jobs and Family Services Set February 18th Strike Deadline

UAW member picketing in winter attire, holding winter coats, protesting.

WORKERS AT LORAIN COUNTY JOBS AND FAMILY SERVICES SET FEBRUARY 18 STRIKE DEADLINE AFTER COUNTY FAILS TO OFFER FAIR DEAL

After authorizing a strike earlier this year by 86%, on Tuesday, UAW Local 2192 members at Lorain County Job and Family Services announced a February 18 strike deadline for the County to agree to a fair deal for the 144 workers. Workers who administer Ohio Works First, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, child support referrals, and other essential public services are demanding fairer wages that bring their pay up to the County average that would address staffing shortages, recruitment and excessively high turnover challenges.

“Lorain County has misplaced priorities,” said Candace MacIntosh, a JFS Investigator. “They’re bringing in six-figure salaried positions while claiming to have no funds for fair wages at our agency — an agency our community depends on.  I just came back from maternity leave and have to keep my newborn son off the County healthcare because it’s far too expensive. Instead, he is on Medicaid, the same program we administer. We’re authorizing benefits for other people while struggling ourselves.”

During the current union contract, workers like Candace MacIntosh saw a 50% increase in health care premiums. JFS workers are also paid less than other county agencies – as the County claims there’s not enough funding for the employees to earn a livable wage. Meanwhile, they have enough money in the budget to increase the number of six-figure salary management positions by 142% over five years – from 65 upper management positions to 157 roles making over $100,000. In the same period, the workforce has experienced 65% turnover due to being underpaid and overworked.

“Lorain County Commissioners are letting JFS workers fall behind,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Workers are skipping their bills and dropping their health care — it ain’t right. Meanwhile, the County is hiring dozens of upper management positions and giving them six figure salaries. So where are Lorain County’s priorities? They’re in the toilet. All we’ve heard are crickets from their side. They aren’t bringing anything back to the table and are forcing our hand. So, we’re gonna play that hand — and we are gonna win, because we’re stronger together.”

Lorain County JFS employees have been working with an expired union contract since September 2025. UAW Local 2192 members have met with the County over several bargaining sessions until reaching an impasse in December, when a fact-finding hearing was conducted by a neutral, state-mandated dispute resolution process.

In January, the County voted down the fact-finder report’s findings. By rejecting the fact-finding process – which is uncommon – and failing to offer a new proposal in return, the County is leaving county workers with no option but to strike by February 18 as a last resort.

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UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green rallies Local 2192 Lorain County Workers

UAW Members picketing, wearing winter attire, holding signs, in front of county building,

UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green rallies Local 2192 workers outside of Lorain County Jobs and Family Services.

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Conn-Selmer Workers to Rally Community to Save Eastlake Plant from Closure

After Conn-Selmer formally announced its decision to offshore 150 good, union jobs to China at a long-time legacy Ohio company, workers are rallying community support to save the Eastlake plant from closure tentatively scheduled for June 30.

WHO: UAW Local 2359 members at Conn-Selmer, UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green, Eastlake Mayor Kevin Kostelnik, OH State Rep. Dan Troy, with a special video message from UAW President Shawn Fain

WHAT: “Save Our Plant” rally to stop offshoring of jobs from Conn-Selmer’s Eastlake plant to China

WHERE: Four Points Sheraton Ballroom, 35000 Curtis Blvd, Eastlake, OH 44095

WHEN: Thursday, February 5 at 5:00 P.M.

In January – on what was supposed to be day one of the latest contract negotiations between Conn-Selmer and UAW Local 2359 members – the last, USA-made brass instrument brand, informed workers that it is shutting down its Ohio facility and offshoring almost all its Eastlake operations overseas to China.

Decades of an Ohio mainstay and hundreds of good, union jobs suddenly became on the chopping block because billionaire hedge fund owner John Paulson decided to lead with corporate greed over preserving an American institution – and American manufacturing.

Conn-Selmer informed UAW Local 2359 members that its “doomsday” would tentatively be June 30, 2026 – but workers are fighting back to save the Eastlake plant. Alongside the broader community and local allies, workers are rallying together on Thursday to send a message to Conn-Selmer’s leadership like Paulson: that they can still do the right thing and keep these jobs in Ohio.

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Workers at Lorain County Jobs and Family Services Set February 18 Strike Deadline After County Fails to Offer Fair Deal

After authorizing a strike earlier this year by 86%, on Tuesday, UAW Local 2192 members at Lorain County Job and Family Services announced a February 18 strike deadline for the County to agree to a fair deal for the 144 workers. Workers who administer Ohio Works First, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, child support referrals, and other essential public services are demanding fairer wages that bring their pay up to the County average that would address staffing shortages, recruitment and excessively high turnover challenges.

“Lorain County has misplaced priorities,” said Candace MacIntosh, a JFS Investigator. “They’re bringing in six-figure salaried positions while claiming to have no funds for fair wages at our agency — an agency our community depends on. I just came back from maternity leave and have to keep my newborn son off the County healthcare because it’s far too expensive. Instead, he is on Medicaid, the same program we administer. We’re authorizing benefits for other people while struggling ourselves.”

During the current union contract, workers like Candace MacIntosh saw a 50% increase in health care premiums. JFS workers are also paid less than other county agencies – as the County claims there’s not enough funding for the employees to earn a livable wage. Meanwhile, they have enough money in the budget to increase the number of six-figure salary management positions by 142% over five years – from 65 upper management positions to 157 roles making over $100,000. In the same period, the workforce has experienced 65% turnover due to being underpaid and overworked.

“Lorain County Commissioners are letting JFS workers fall behind,” said UAW Region 2B Director Dave Green. “Workers are skipping their bills and dropping their health care — it ain’t right. Meanwhile, the County is hiring dozens of upper management positions and giving them six figure salaries. So where are Lorain County’s priorities? They’re in the toilet. All we’ve heard are crickets from their side. They aren’t bringing anything back to the table and are forcing our hand. So, we’re gonna play that hand — and we are gonna win, because we’re stronger together.”

Lorain County JFS employees have been working with an expired union contract since September 2025. UAW Local 2192 members have met with the County over several bargaining sessions until reaching an impasse in December, when a fact-finding hearing was conducted by a neutral, state-mandated dispute resolution process.

In January, the County voted down the fact-finder report’s findings. By rejecting the fact-finding process – which is uncommon – and failing to offer a new proposal in return, the County is leaving county workers with no option but to strike by February 18 as a last resort.

UAW Region 2B, Local 685 Welcomes Circle City Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to the family.

Lady in fur holding a sign standing in a parking lot. Group of people standing front of a building.

The members of Circle City Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) of Kokomo, Indiana, voted 100% to join the UAW Region 2B, Local 685. Success like this is only possible when workers unite and demand that their voice is heard. Welcome to the union family.

UAW Region 2B, Local 5242 Toledo Public Schools Budget Shortfalls

Toledo Public Schools are facing serious budget shortfalls due to federal reductions to the U.S. Department of Education and subsequent state-level funding changes under the Fair School Act. In response, the district cabinet has proposed layoffs impacting Toledo Federation of Teachers (TFT) employees in an effort to address a growing budget deficit.
Notably, the leadership of UAW Local 5242 was not informed of the existence or severity of this deficit until only weeks ago, raising serious concerns about transparency, communication, and fiscal planning.
This evening, more than 270 members of Local 5242 gathered to receive an update on the latest proposal presented by the district cabinet and to stand united in defense of their jobs and public education.

UAW Region 2B, Local 2192 Lorain County Workers Vote to Authorize a Strike

Members in meeting inside local union hall standing at mic, sitting in chairs and writing at table. wearing winter coats, UAW t-shirts and winter hats.

UAW Region 2B, Local 2192 Public Sector Workers at Lorain County Jobs & Family Services in Ohio authorized a strike vote with 86% YES!

 

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UAW Statement on Conn-Selmer Announcement to Close U.S. Facility

Today, Conn-Selmer, the last USA-made brass instrument manufacturer, informed workers that it is shutting down its Eastlake, Ohio facility to officially ship Ohio operations overseas to China. It means decades of an Ohio mainstay and hundreds of good, union jobs are on the chopping block so that billionaires can reap even more profits.

Conn-Selmer is owned by hedge fund billionaire and Trump ally John Paulson who clearly cares more about raking in more cash instead of preserving an American institution. It’s an interesting choice to make at a time when politicians across the country, including the President, are calling on corporations to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

Across Ohio, in blue-collar town after blue-collar town, you can still see the scars left from the devastating effects of free trade. Conn-Selmer is the latest to choose profits for a handful of executives over people.

You better believe the UAW members who built these instruments for years and established the world-renowned brand reputation are already gearing up for a big fight to keep these jobs in Ohio. This is not just about the future of this company – it’s about the future of our community.

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