Columbus Metropolitan Library workers have made it official. After a mail ballot election, employees voted to unionize, with 86% of valid ballots cast in favor of forming CML United, organizers said. The new bargaining unit will cover roughly 600 librarians, customer-service staff and operations workers across the system and will affiliate with the Ohio Federation of Teachers.
How the vote unfolded
According to WOSU Public Media, voting took place by mail from June 16 through June 30, and the State Employment Relations Board counted ballots on July 7. The board's tally showed 86% support among valid ballots, locking in the outcome organizers had anticipated.
Who joined and why
In a press release, the Ohio Federation of Teachers said the new unit, known as CML United, represents about 600 workers at all 23 branches and at the library's operations center in Gahanna. Organizers said they began submitting authorization cards in December 2025 and pushed the campaign to win livable wages, affordable healthcare and a stronger say over staffing and safety policies.
Organizers' message
“What's important about this union is that we're working towards something that will allow staff to be able to have their input taken seriously,” Rahaf Fares said in a press release via the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Organizers said they do not view unionizing as a rejection of their jobs, but as a way to preserve the work sustainably, and they listed attendance policy, healthcare, and pay among early bargaining priorities.
Allegations during the campaign
During the run-up to the vote, organizers filed multiple Unfair Labor Practice charges accusing CML of anti-union tactics, including alleged retaliatory firings and pointed staff communications. As reported by Matter News, workers said management's complaints and FAQ documents helped trigger formal filings with the State Employment Relations Board.
Library response and next steps
In a statement to WOSU Public Media, Columbus Metropolitan Library said it "respects the decision of its staff" and will "abide by the election results upon certification" and begin good-faith negotiations. Organizers say they plan to move quickly to set bargaining priorities and expect talks to focus on pay, benefits, staffing levels and workplace safety.
Why it matters locally
Labor advocates point to recent contracts at neighboring systems that delivered raises, expanded benefits and new protections for part-time employees, changes CML United hopes to mirror. As reported by the Ohio Capital Journal, the vote pulls Columbus into a growing wave of library unions across central Ohio that organizers say is building regional leverage at the bargaining table.
