Ohio University union pushes for raises, saying faculty underpaid against other Ohio universities

ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After delays, Ohio University's faculty union is finally in contract negotiations with school leadership.

United Academics of Ohio University (UAOU) has been trying to organize for years. After many delays in getting university approval, UAOU finally began contract negotiations in August. On Oct. 29, UAOU introduced the last of its financial proposals, beginning a fight to raise professor salaries to the levels of peer universities.

UAOU has faced an uphill climb, including a long string of delays from university leadership. Despite 70% of faculty voting in favor of unionization in March, Ohio University challenged the election through the state. The state ruled in UAOU's favor, but Ohio University appealed the vote once more, until negotiations finally began in August.

"We are pleased with the current state of negotiations, but are concerned about the time, money, and resources that university is devoting to its lawsuit and possible further appeals through the legal system, which will undoubtedly continue to result in expensive outlays for legal fees," UAOU President and associate history professor John O'Keefe said.

Now bargaining, UAOU introduced a plan to increase faculty salaries last week. Union members said Ohio University faculty is paid less than peers at every other public Ohio research university. There are three levels of official designation for research universities, and Ohio University is one of five state universities that boasts the highest designation.

UAOU proposes increasing all union faculty members' base salaries by nearly $4,000, with additional increases of more than $4,000 in both 2026 and 2027. The union also proposes increased bonuses for promotions. Under the proposal, Ohio University faculty are estimated to be paid the same as faculty at the University of Cincinnati, the second-highest average pay.

Using data from the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), NBC4 compared average salary data for the state's public research institutions. Universities have different salaries for lecturers, assistant and associate professors, and professors. NBC4 considered only professor data for its comparison, where UAOU estimations could have varied.

Ohio State is the only public research university that does not have a faculty union. However, it does have AAUP Ohio State, a faculty advocacy chapter.

On average, Ohio University professors make more than professors at Akron and Youngstown State. However, they make less than all other research institutions, including those with a lower research classification. O'Keefe said the pay gap between Ohio University faculty and their peers at other institutions is unproductive for education.

"Investments in faculty are the most direct way that university leadership can show how much they care about the quality of an OU education," O'Keefe said. "This is a test of university priorities, and we’re done grading on a curve."

O'Keefe also pointed to Ohio University's U.S. News and World Report rankings, which he characterized as "plummeting." Ohio University tied for 198th-best U.S. university in its 2026 rankings, with 51 of 100 total points. In 2024, Ohio University was ranked 179th. In 2017, it was 149th. O'Keefe said the rankings include faculty salaries in its data.

The salary and benefit proposals introduced in late October brought UAOU's bargaining proposals to 23 in all. Only two proposals -- labor-management meetings and health, safety and security -- have reached a tentative agreement with the university.

On Wednesday, UAOU leadership met with Ohio University administrators for further negotiations. The meeting was scheduled to last four hours.

An Ohio University spokesperson said the university was keeping negotiations confidential to respect Ohio laws and keep negotiations in good faith.