Labor Force:

A strong, committed labor force is Northwest Ohio's proudest and greatest asset.

Toledo and Northwest Ohio carry a long and proud tradition for recognition of their loyal and dedicated workforce. But beyond that, the labor force has also shown a commitment to retraining and education in order to meet the demands seen with technological advancements in their industries. Cooperation between management and labor has helped some of the region's top companies boost their production levels to unprecedented levels.

Second to none, the Northwest Ohio workforce is ready to help carry your business to the next level.

NORTHWEST OHIO = EDUCATED WORKFORCE

When it comes to education, Northwest Ohio can boast of more than 219,000 students enrolled at one of the area's 30 colleges and universities and post secondary institutions that are located within an hour's drive. Just as impressive, when comparing the student-to-population ratio, the region ranks second nationally in number of students pursuing engineering degrees.

The bond between businesses and educational institutions in Northwest Ohio has a major influence on the area’s cultural, social and economic life. Industry and business continually support and encourage higher education, training and cultural enrichment for their employees. Conversely, educational institutions rely on local business and industry for financial support and career placement for their graduates.

POTENTIAL LABOR FORCE
Northwest Ohio offers more than 219,000 skilled full-time or part-time skilled workers who are enrolled in colleges and universities within one hour of Toledo. The table below shows the number of students currently enrolled at area colleges and universities. Refer to the Quality of Life chapter for more information on education.

Below are enrollment and graduate reports from universities and technical colleges in the Toledo MSA.

Higher Education Institutions Within 1 Hour Of Toledo

2007 Fall Enrollment Figures

Number of Graduates in the Toledo area

COMMUTING PATTERNS
Cross commuting in the 11-county region is a common practice.

The table below summarizes out, in, within and net-commuters by county

Source:  Bureau of Census, 2000 Census

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
The Ohio workers’ compensation program was established to compensate employees who sustain injuries “within the course of employment” using premiums paid by employers into a state insurance fund. These injuries are compensated without regard to negligence on the part of the employer as long as they “arise out of” employment. The employer with low risk job classifications and a positive safety program will benefit from lower workers’ compensation rates.

Ohio Workers Compensation Law, description, rates, other information

Ohio Web Site (Ohio Workers Compensation)

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
In Ohio, unemployment compensation calculations are based on the experience of the individual employer. However, employers who are new to the state will need two years to develop an experience rating. Non-experienced rated employers are required to use an average contribution rate for their industry. Unemployment Compensation charges for a manufacturer are 3.2% of taxable wages up to $9,000/employee. The rate for a service industry is 3%.

Employers will need to report taxable wages on a quarterly basis to the State of Ohio Unemployment Compensation Bureau (614) 466-0234.

Ohio employers receive an across-the-board reduction in the unemployment compensation tax. The current rate ranges between .7 percent and 8.5 percent of the first $9,000 of each employee’s salary.

Bureau of Unemployment Compensation Tax

LABOR RELATIONS AND UNIONISM
Toledo has a long history of supporting peaceful co-existence of labor and management. As early as 1915-1916 a group known as the Toledo Industrial Peace Board was promoting the formation of in-plant labor-management committees. In 1946, the Toledo City Council created the Labor-Management Citizens Committee (LMCC) to serve as a model for many other area labor-management-citizen committees that were subsequently formed.

The LMCC handles collective bargaining mediation, grievance mediation and resolution, card checks and union elections, and public relations activities. The LMCC is the prime sponsor of the Northwest Ohio Center for Labor-Management Cooperation, which fosters joint labor-management cooperative efforts in workplaces throughout 26 counties. The LMCC along with the University of Toledo's Center for Labor-Management Services provides "one stop shopping" for labor-management relations services, and facilitates cost effective use of funds. The Toledo Labor Management Citizens Committee statistics indicate that of the 812 manufacturing firms in Lucas County, approximately 15 percent have been identified as having a union.

Labor-Management Cooperation Organizations

TRAINING AND RETRAINING CAPABILITIES
The productivity of American labor is enhanced by sophisticated manufacturing systems, which help maintain precise standards of product quality. The advanced technology systems found in today's manufacturing plants create a demand for skilled employees to design, build, install and operate them. Companies planning to relocate or expand in Northwest Ohio benefit from the availability of technical qualified workers who have an understanding of automated manufacturing machine systems. Northwest Ohio has four community and technical colleges, two universities, a medical college, five vocational schools and the Edison Industrial Systems Center. The University of Toledo and Owens Community College have programs that assist area businesses with the development and implementation of new technologies.