Strike begins at Lorain County Job and Family Services after contract talks collapse
By Hannah Drown / February 18, 2026
ELYRIA, Ohio -- About 140 members of UAW Local 2192 walked out in strike at Lorain County Job and Family Services early Wednesday after contract talks with county officials reached an impasse last week.
Approximately 100 workers formed picket lines around 6:30 a.m. at the agency’s North Ridge Road facility, including employees that provide frontline services such as SNAP and Medicaid benefits, Ohio Works First cash assistance, adult protective services and childcare assistance, according to the union.
The walkout follows months of stalled negotiations between the union and Lorain County after the labor contract expired in September.
Bargaining sessions and a mediation attempt failed to produce an agreement and the dispute was sent late last year to a state-appointed factfinder, whose nonbinding recommendations addressed issues such as vacation accrual, holidays, health insurance and contract length.
On Jan. 27, the Lorain County Board of Commissioners unanimously rejected the fact-finder’s report, calling the recommendations unacceptable. The union responded on Feb. 3 by issuing a strike notice, setting a Feb. 18 deadline for the county to reach what workers described as a fair deal.
County officials publicly defended their bargaining position on Feb. 6, releasing a video publicly defending their position in ongoing contract negotiations with unionized Job and Family Services employees.
The video, featuring County Commissioner David Moore and Human Resources Director Elise Hara-Auvil, outlined the county’s objections to the union’s contract demands, which they described as “unrealistic” and “outrageous.”
According to the union, negotiations effectively ended Feb. 10, when the county notified workers, it would halt further bargaining.
Union representatives say the parties met once between the rejection of the fact-finder’s report and the county’s issuance of a “last, best final offer” on Feb. 13, and that the county made no counteroffer after the union submitted a revised proposal.
At a Feb. 13 meeting, Commissioners Moore and Jeff Riddell approved a resolution authorizing the county’s final offer or declaring an impasse if the union rejected it. In a letter the county sent to the union, it outlined that the offer included wage increases of 4.5% in the first year, 3.5% in the second year and 4% in the third year, matching the county’s broader contract pattern. It also proposed a bonus pool tied to sick leave usage, changes to personal leave, higher sick leave accrual and a 20% increase in entry-level wages.
In a written response, the union rejected the county’s characterization of negotiations and said it did not consider the parties to be at impasse. The union said it remained willing to continue bargaining and requested clarification on whether the county was formally terminating negotiations.
Union leaders escalated public pressure ahead of the strike, with UAW President Shawn Fain joining workers earlier this week. Union officials say staffing shortages and turnover have worsened as health care costs increased, arguing that the dispute has broader implications for residents who rely on JFS services.
County officials said the agency would remain open during the strike and warned that employees who do not report to work would not receive wages or most leave benefits while the work stoppage continues.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, commissioners said Lorain County JFS remains open and fully operational amid the ongoing strike. Commissioners said their contract offer is currently under review by the bargaining unit and reiterated positions they described as fair and fiscally responsible.
The statement also emphasized the county’s appreciation for JFS employees and the essential services they provide to the community.