LFA Requests Federal Mediation for Contract Negotiations with Lakeland Community College
KIRTLAND, Ohio – August 14, 2023 – The Lakeland Faculty Association (LFA) has requested a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to facilitate on-going negotiations with Lakeland Community College.
This request comes after approximately 100 hours of bargaining throughout the summer with little progress made and a looming contract expiration date of August 15. The college’s team has been unwilling to move on or even talk about many provisions in the comprehensive counter proposals offered by the LFA.
“Requesting a mediator is not a decision that our team made lightly,” explains LFA President Tobin F. Terry, “but we agreed that it was necessary.” Terry is one of nine members of the faculty’s bargaining team.
“Faculty are scheduled to return to campus on August 21, and classes begin the following week,” explains LFA Spokesperson Lynne Gabriel. “We want this contract resolved as soon as possible so that we have the stability we need to focus on what really matters: supporting the educational needs of the Lakeland community with high-quality and student-focused instruction.”
Mediation can be requested by either bargaining team at any point after full initial proposals have been exchanged. FMCS will assign a federal mediator to assist both parties in an attempt to reach a resolution as quickly as possible. For more information about federal mediation, visit www.fmcs.gov.
The LFA is holding a clap-in at 9:30 Tuesday morning in the Holden University Center parking lot to show support for their team on the last day of bargaining before the contract expires.
The Lakeland Faculty Association is the union representing 120 educators employed by Lakeland Community College. The LFA’s mission is to maintain and enrich the quality of education at Lakeland College and to promote the professional interests of the faculty of Lakeland through collective action and other appropriate means. The LFA is a proud affiliate of the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association.