NEWS RELEASE                                                    For Additional Information Contact:

                                                                                    Karen Sommer, Public Relations

                                                                                    419-228-5113, ext. 116

Lima Public Library Board of Trustees File Appeal To Set Aside SERB Order

Friday, February 26, 2010….Lima Public Library today filed an appeal in the Court of Common Pleas of Allen County, Ohio requesting the Court set aside a portion of State Employment Relations Board (SERB) Opinion 2010-001.

The case concerns charges filed by OAPSE Local 776 dating back to February 2007, alleging that the Library had committed unfair labor practices with respect to the following three issues:

1.      Ratification of a tentative agreement

2.      The Library’s communications with the public via a banner and yard signs

3.      Meeting room usage

SERB is a government agency charged with overseeing labor relations of public employers and employees.  SERB is comprised of three members appointed by the Governor.  The Opinion, released by SERB on February 19, 2010, finds in favor of the union on all three issues.

The heart of the matter concerns a tentative agreement submitted to the Library Board in 2006.  The Board rejected the tentative agreement because of a provision it included which would mandate compulsory union dues on most Library