Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office Staff Win First Contract

Fairness, equity and defending the rights of Ohioans to a fair trial and due process is the daily mission of the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office (MCPD).  

This is a mission the workers honor every day, a mission that they sought to protect when they won their union as AFSCME Local 4652, the Montgomery County Public Defender Collective (MCPD Collective) with AFSCME Ohio Council 8 in December 2024.  

Now the MCPD Collective have ratified their first contract, securing huge wins for the staff that support and protect Ohioans every day.  

“I'm incredibly proud of our members for standing together to achieve our first collective bargaining agreement,” said Mike Dailey, an assistant public defender at MCPD. “This is an important step forward for the dedicated attorneys and staff who work every day to protect the rights of our clients.” 

The contract wins include up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, annual raises over the next three years, formalized processes for promotions, formalized procedures for grievances and arbitration and more. The contract is a three-year agreement through 2029.  

When the workers first began organizing as the MCPD Collective, fairness and equity among the top reasons for fighting for their union.  

“We fight for our clients every day and it is time we also fight for ourselves,” Dailey said when asked about why he was organizing in 2024.  

Now with a ratified contract in place, Dailey reflects on what this win means for him and his coworkers: “We've built a strong foundation, but this is just the beginning. I hope our members continue to stand together, build on what we've accomplished, and make this union stronger for generations to come.” 

The MCPD Collective joins other public defender offices who have organized with AFSCME Ohio Council 8, including Hamilton and Franklin counties.  

AFSCME Ohio Council 8 represents over 31,000 public service workers across Ohio in both the public and private sectors in municipal and county government, public schools and universities, cultural institutions and health care facilities providing critical services to Ohioans every day. Learn more at afscmecouncil8.org.