Gary Allen gets an earful from a local president; will there be a picket line at 225 East Broad?

OEA labor talks may affect Heights case

Teachers could lose their lead negotiator if union managers and their workers don't come to terms.

By Scott Elliott

Staff Writer

Dayton Daily News, Thursday, August 24, 2006

DAYTON — They could end up having quite a Labor Day in Huber Heights.

As teachers today head into the final day before a midnight strike deadline, labor talks in Columbus may end up affecting the dispute here.

Huber Heights teachers have been using a negotiator from their statewide union, the Ohio Education Association, to conduct the talks on their behalf. But that negotiator, George Bozovich of OEA's Troy office, has a role in another union. He's also the vice president of the Ohio Professional Staff Union, representing OEA negotiators in a dispute with their managers in the union leadership.

The negotiators have set an Aug. 31 strike deadline in their talks with OEA.

So if Huber Heights teachers strike Friday, they face the danger of losing their lead negotiator a week later should OPSU go on strike.

That could make for a long Labor Day weekend.

Debra Owens, teachers union president, said she has been assured that OEA managers will fill in if the negotiators hit the picket line.

But she complained to OEA President Gary Allen that the union should be able to resolve its own labor disputes without a strike.

"He got an earful from me," she said.