The average striking labor staff rep. makes about $10,000 more than the average Ohio school-district superintendent? You don't say!

From John Curry, September 1, 2010

Most of the 110 striking workers - all members of the OEA's Professional Staff Union - earn more than $100,000 a year, according to reports filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. For instance, labor-relations consultants - who make up about 80 percent of the striking workers - were paid an average salary of $111,350 in 2009.

That is about $10,000 more than the average Ohio school-district superintendent made last school year, and more than double what the average teacher made, according to the state statistics.

(Click image to enlarge.)

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/01/01-strike.html?sid=101

Teachers union has labor trouble of its own

Negotiators picket Ohio Education Association over contract disputes

Columbus Dispatch, September 1, 2010
By Catherine Candisky

Ohio's largest teachers union is having labor problems of its own.

Labor-relations consultants, who help local teachers unions negotiate contracts with school districts, and other employees of the Ohio Education Association walked off the job this morning.

One striking worker was treated at the hospital after suffering minor injuries when he was struck by a car while picketing outside OEA's Downtown offices on E. Broad Street.

Most of the 110 striking workers - all members of the OEA's Professional Staff Union - earn more than $100,000 a year, according to reports filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. For instance, labor-relations consultants - who make up about 80 percent of the striking workers - were paid an average salary of $111,350 in 2009.

That is about $10,000 more than the average Ohio school-district superintendent made last school year, and more than double what the average teacher made, according to the state statistics.

Contract negotiations between the OEA and its Professional Staff Union broke down Monday afternoon; no additional meetings are scheduled.

"OEA officers and managers need to practice what they preach. It's a pretty high form of hypocrisy for OEA officers and managers to be giving us this treatment when they expect us to protect OEA members from the same treatment out in the schools," said Norm Young, president of the Professional Staff Union.

Young said the workers are dealing with the same issues they help teachers deal with - protecting pensions, health-care benefits, job security, workload and compensation.

The Professional Staff Union represents 110 OEA workers - 83 labor-relations consultants and 27 administrative staff employees.

OEA officials said they respect the collective bargaining rights of the union, including its right to strike.

"We are disappointed we could not complete negotiations before the PSU contract expired. OEA is ready to meet at any time to resolve our remaining issues," said OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks.

Contract talks began in May and a federal mediator has assisted since July.

The association represents more than 130,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in schools, colleges and universities. The union has 220 employees in its Columbus headquarters and field offices across the state.

Dispatch reporter Bill Bush contributed to this story.

ccandisky@dispatch.com