Here's why Springfield Local teachers formed a new union

Springfield Local educators have taken the rare step of forming a union that’s separate from the Ohio Education Association.

The Springfield Federation of Teaching Professionals , representing roughly 130 members including teachers, counselors and speech-language pathologists, has been certified as an independent union by the State Employment Relations Board. The educators previously were represented by the Springfield Local Association of Classroom Teachers, which was affiliated with the Ohio Education Association. As of Oct. 16, the state association is no longer the collective bargaining representative for Springfield educators.