An earlier proposal by the management of the public school system in Morgan County failed to bring workers anywhere near parity with neighboring districts. After working without a contract since July 2022, workers struck.
Inflation has been pushing many Morgan Local Schools workers and their families to the brink. Some nearby districts pay as much as $9 more per hour for the same job, according to OAPSE.
OAPSE members were upset that the school district was pushing them to the point of walking off the job.
“These kids are so important to us. We don’t want to be away from them. We just want fairness,” said Brenda Roberts, a cook.
The superintendent, who received a 14.4% raise last year, earns $143,000 annually. According to Local 51 President Tom Quaintance, members earn an average annual salary of $23,500. Nestled the mountainous Appalachian region, Morgan is among the poorest of Ohio’s counties.
At a rally late last month, more than 200 students, parents and community members showed their strong support for the members of Local 51.
The strikers appreciated the help from members of OAPSE, other AFSCME locals in Ohio, AFSCME Retirees, and staff from the International Union, who came to Morgan County to stand in solidarity on the picket lines. Supporters raised $20,000 for the strike fund, which was key because the school district canceled the strikers’ health insurance while they were on work stoppage.
