May 28, 2026
Ohio Environmental Council and OEC Workers United Announce New Collective Bargaining Agreement
For Immediate Release:
May 28, 2026
Contact:
Karlena Wallace, Communications Director
media@theoec.org or 614-487-7506
Ohio Environmental Council and OEC Workers United Announce New Collective Bargaining Agreement
Columbus, Ohio — On May 20, 2026, Ohio Environmental Council and OEC Workers United finalized contract negotiations and ratified a new three-year agreement. The renewed contract was unanimously approved by both OEC’s Board of Directors and the members of OEC Workers United. Among other provisions, the new agreement includes:
- Improved annual general wage increases and minimum salaries
- Strengthened internal leadership and professional development pathways
- Maintained core benefits, such as 100% employer-paid health insurance and retirement matching plans
OEC workers successfully voted to unionize in August 2019. OEC leadership voluntarily recognized the union and began working with OEC Workers United, represented by the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United. The first collective bargaining agreement ran from 2020 to 2023. The second agreement ran from 2023 to 2026. The new agreement will run from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Carol Kauffman, CEO for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC):
“The OEC is powered by the work of its staff, and so I am proud to announce the second renewal of our collective bargaining agreement with OEC Workers United. At the OEC, we envision a clean, healthy Ohio where our democracy empowers all communities to thrive in harmony with the environment, and we cannot achieve that goal without workers who feel supported. We truly appreciate the leadership of the Union staff who worked with us on the new contract.
“Through this agreement, we continue our six-year relationship with OEC Workers United. The labor movement has been central to major advancements in the protection of people and the environment. We are proud to work with OEC Workers United to build an even stronger and more sustainable environmental movement.”
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Riley Dean, Staff Representative for OEC Workers United:
“We are proud to unanimously ratify our third collective bargaining agreement with the Ohio Environmental Council, which builds off the achievements of previous negotiations, including an increase in minimum salaries, maintaining key employee health and time off benefits, and additional updates that will empower staff to continue to pursue a cleaner, healthier Ohio. This milestone reflects the importance of OEC Workers United and our ability to strengthen the health and wellbeing of our entire staff.
“The successful outcome was made possible by the genuine collaboration and partnership between OEC leadership and OEC Workers United, along with the support of the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United. We are creating a movement together that puts equity and collaboration at the center, both within our organization and in the work we do across Ohio, advancing environmental justice.”
###
The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) protects the environment and health of all Ohio communities through legal and policy advocacy, decision-maker accountability, and civic engagement.
