25,000 turn out to oppose Ohio SB5

Ohioans battle Senate Bill 5, which is designed to eliminate collective bargaining. Photos by Tom Whalen, Toledo Union Journal.

In the largest demonstration yet against Ohio’s Senate Bill 5, some 25,000 people – from unions, faith and environmental groups and university students – converged on the state capital yesterday to oppose the union-busting legislation. The measure, which would eliminate collective bargaining rights for Ohio public workers, is expected to pass the Senate on Thursday. It will then go to the Republican-controlled state House.  Ohioans vow to continue fighting for their right to organize and bargain collectively.

Standoff in Wisconsin passes two-week mark
Yesterday marked the 14th straight day of protests in Wisconsin. About 20,000 people demonstrated in Madison as Gov. Scott Walker proposed a budget that will cut more than $1 billion in state aid to schools and local governments. Meanwhile, Democratic senators are holding strong across the state border to prevent passage of the governor’s plans to destroy unions and Wisconsin’s middle class. Individuals and groups are sending cards, letters and video messages expressing their gratitude and support for the senators’ brave action.

It’s not all good news for the Koch-funded Republican Governors’ Association either. Yesterday the Washington Post debunked the RGA’s TV ad defending Walker’s plans to strip workers of their union rights: 

The ad hails Governor Walker for “asking state employees to contribute to their own benefits, just like anyone else.” The unions have already agreed to the benefit concessions Walker has asked for, as long as he doesn't roll back their bargaining rights. Walker has refused. The sticking point has nothing to do with benefits.

UAW Region 2B Director Ken Lortz with UAW members at the Ohio protest.

Danny Glover joins protesters in Indiana
Actor and activist Danny Glover flew to Indianapolis and spoke in support of workers and union rights at a lunchtime rally yesterday, while 1,000 protesters demonstrated at the Statehouse. 
Most House Democrats remain in Illinois to prevent the quorum needed to move union-busting legislation forward. A spokesman for the Democrats said they would not go back as long as Republicans refused to negotiate.

Florida rallies planned
Republican Rep. Scott Plakon, from Florida’s 37th District, recently introduced a bill that would strip state workers of their right to belong to a union. Even though the bill exempts police and firefighters, the president of the Orlando Professional Fire Fighters IAFF 1365 sent a strongly worded letter to Plankon. It reads, in part:

“Professional Fire Fighters are proud labor unionists and we stand with the rest of labor during this unjust and ideological attack by you and the right wing of your party. To exclude us is a mistake, we will not show favor to those who attack labor and the working class, excluded or not. I would prefer you not hide behind firefighters in your ideological and self-serving attack on labor and the working class of this state.”

Rallies are planned for the coming days in Florida. To find out about these and other upcoming events around the country, visit the calendar page.