Striking Lorain County Job and Family Services Workers to Host Community Town Hall

ELYRIA, OH – After holding the strike line strong for nearly two months, UAW Local 2192 members at Lorain County Job and Family Services are hosting a community town hall to share outrage over the chaos and mismanagement of the County Commissioners, with a particular focus on the actions of Commissioner Jeff Riddell. With all eyes on Commissioners like Jeff Riddell for their frequent mismanagement and poor decision making, including their unpopular multimillion-dollar pet project known as the "Megasite," JFS workers and community leaders will discuss how to make changes.

WHO: UAW Local 2192 members on strike at Lorain County Job and Family Services, along with local labor, political, and community allies

WHAT: Community town hall raising concerns about Lorain County Commissioner Jeff Riddell’s management

WHERE: UAW Local 2000, 3151 Abbe Rd N, Sheffield, OH 44054

WHEN: Tuesday, April 14 at 5:00 P.M.

Since his election by 136 votes in 2022, Lorain County Commissioner Jeff Riddell has overseen a storm of chaos for the community to unpack. On February 18, 140 members of UAW Local 2192 at Job and Family Services – workers that proudly provide essential frontline services including Adult Protective Services and childcare inspections – walked out on strike, citing extreme economic instability and staffing shortages. The two sides are now only apart on raising wages by $1 per hour, which the County is refusing along with retro pay, a standard in Ohio public sector bargaining. 

These escalating issues are ongoing as the County’s and Commissioner Riddell’s clumsy decision-making nearly led to the repossession of police vehicles, and to the County Auditor claiming retaliation from the Commissioners after he refused illegal requests, among other blunders. County Commissioners are also up against universal opposition from local organizations, community members, and even newspaper editorial boards as they force an unpopular “Megasite” development forward.

And as County Commissioners deny JFS workers a fair contract that addresses staffing shortages, recruitment, and excessively high turnover challenges – they have no issue with increasing six-figure management positions by 142% in the same period (growing from 65 to 157 positions making over $100,000).

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