From Wisconsin to Ohio: Senate Bill 5 Will Destroy Public Unions

Last Thursday, as historic protests against Gov. Scott Walker’s bill to bust the state’s public sector unions blanketed Wisconsin’s capital city, swelling into the tens of thousands, Ohio Governor John Kasich tweeted: “Props to Gov. Walker for new reforms to public sector unions that give taxpayers more rights.”

Hmmm. Maybe Gov. Kasich hasn’t been following the news lately.

The week following Gov. Walker’s attack on public unions led to the largest protests in Wisconsin history. CNN reported 100,000 in attendance at the fourth straight day of protest as more than a dozen school districts were forced to close by an unofficial teacher work stoppage. Rallies in support of Wisconsin workers have been planned across the country while solidarity has flooded into Wisconsin in all forms, including hundreds of pizzas paid for by supporters from across the globe.

But that hasn’t stopped Gov. Kasich and Ohio Republicans from pushing their own union-busting bill: Senate Bill 5 will take away 40,000 Ohio public employees’ right to collectively bargain over wages, benefits and working conditions.

The bill, like Wisconsin’s, is based on the premise that unionized public workers are a major drain on the state budget. Nevermind that both Kasich and Walker have bent over backwards to push tax cuts for corporations and spending for special interests.

Senate Bill 5, also like Wisconsin’s bill, has seen tough, broad opposition from state residents. Last Thursday – the day Gov. Kasich gave “props” to Walker – around 5,000 workers assembled at the Ohio statehouse to testify against the bill. Tens of thousands of postcards, emails, and letters were sent to Ohio legislators in the days that followed.

“Stand Up For Ohio”, an anti-Senate Bill 5 Facebook page, accrued 100,000 supporters in a little over a week, while online polls showed close to 90% of state residents believe collective bargaining should be protected.

Even some Ohio Republican senators say the bill goes too far. “I think that reforming collective bargaining doesn't mean getting rid of it,” said Republican senator Frank LaRose. “I believe in the right of people to gather as a group and advocate on their behalf.”

Mark Miller, a student from Ashtabula, Ohio started a petition on Change.org against the bill, which has sent thousands of signatures to Ohio legislators in a matter of days.

“People are angry,” says Miller. “They feel like they are being blamed for the state’s financial woes.”

Today thousands are expected to converge on the Ohio Statehouse for what may be the final vote on public employees’ right to collectively bargain in the state. If you are in Ohio, be sure to join protestors at the Statehouse beginning at 1pm.

If you aren’t in Ohio, click here to add your voice to the thousands of Ohio residents opposing Senate Bill 5.

Winning this and similar campaigns depends on our ability to quickly call on thousands of supportive folks like you. After signing the petition below, please click here to follow us on Facebook - just click ‘Like’ at the top of the page.

Photo Credit: Mark Miller