Kenny Yuko Nickie J. Antonio Sandra R.

Williams
rd
th
State Senator, 25 District State Senator, 23 District State Senator, 21st District
Minority Leader Asst. Minority Leader Senate Building
Statehouse Senate Building 1 Capitol Square, Room 052
1 Capitol Square, 3rd Floor 1 Capitol Square, Room 228 Columbus, Ohio 43215
Columbus, Ohio 43215 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: 614.466.4857
Phone: 614.466.4583 Phone: 614.466.5123 Williams@ohiosenate.gov
Yuko@ohiosenate.gov Antonio@ohiosenate.gov

May 25th, 2021

Tracy Strobel
Executive Director
Cuyahoga County Public Library
2111 Snow Rd
Parma OH 44134

Dear Director Strobel,

We are writing to express our concern with recent actions taken by the Cuyahoga County Public
Library Leadership and Board. It is our understanding that in a recent RFP for custodial services at
the Library, bidding contractors were given the option to bid without recognizing SEIU Local 1, the
union that has represented custodians at the Cuyahoga County Library for many years. Given the
accountability and voice for workers that a union provides, that any contractor would choose to
operate without having to answer to and negotiate with their employees is troubling. Library
leadership bears the responsibility for this bid process and the responsibility for, we hope, finding a
solution.

Many of the custodial workers at the library also are individuals with disabilities, and we know these
workers frequently face discrimination and are often forced into sub-minimum wage jobs. Being part
of a labor union prevents additional forms of exploitation.

It is for these reasons that we find the recent actions taken by the library so concerning. Unions are
critical for the economic future of Northeast Ohio and our country. We ask that the library consider
working collaboratively with SEIU Local 1 to recognize the union rights of the workers who clean
the facilities.

We understand that this is a time sensitive matter as this transition is happening now. We
respectfully request that this letter be read into the record at the next board meeting. Thank you for
all you are doing to uplift and educate our citizens. We look forward to our continued partnership
on behalf of the people of Cuyahoga County.
Sincerely,

Kenny Yuko
Ohio State Senator District 25
Senate Minority Leader

Nickie J. Antonio
Ohio State Senator District 23
Senate Assistant Minority Leader

Sandra R. Williams
Ohio State Senator District 21

CC Hallie Rich, Director of Communications & External Relations

Scott Morgan, Fiscal Officer