CEA Remains Resolute to Fight for the Schools Columbus Students Deserve.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – July 26, 2022 – Frustrated by the District’s refusal to schedule future bargaining sessions with the Union, members of the Columbus Education Association (CEA) will rally outside of the Board’s offices at 270 E. State Street from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27. The rallies will be held while the CEA bargaining team negotiates with the Board during one of their last two scheduled sessions before the contract expires on August 21.
CEA President John Coneglio said, “While teachers continue to fight for basics like air conditioning in our schools, the Board is threatening to walk away from students by refusing to schedule even a single bargaining session in August. Educators recognize a bully tactic when we see one. The Board is trying to force us into concessions that will harm our students. CEA will not be intimidated. We will continue to fight for the safe, properly maintained, and fully resourced schools that Columbus students deserve.”
Without additional bargaining dates on the calendar, CEA has called a meeting of its general membership on August 4. Coneglio continued, “With the Board refusing to schedule negotiations dates in August, it’s quite possible our membership will vote to recommend authorization of the issuance of a 10-day strike notice.”
CEA Spokesperson Regina Fuentes will be available for comment during the rallies.
For the latest information, like the CEA page on Facebook at ColumbusEA, and follow @ColumbusEA on Twitter and on Instagram @ColumbusEA, and keep up with the conversation on social media with #ColumbusStudentsDeserve.
The Columbus Education Association is the union representing nearly 4,500 teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other education professionals in Columbus City Schools. The CEA-CCS Master Agreement expires at midnight on August 21. With negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement underway, members of the Columbus Education Association are fighting for the schools Columbus students deserve: safe, properly maintained, and fully resourced schools in every neighborhood.
