Last Monday I wrote an action alert diary focusing on Wisconsin. Wisconsin has gotten the most attention and I think it is really kick ass what progressives have been accomplishing there. Nearly $500,000 raised for the Wisconsin State Senate Fund. Money raised for the Wisconsin Assembly Fund (just as important as the State Senate!). So many pizza ordered for the protesters from just one place that they went through 3 tons of flour in one week!
If Wisconsin is the front line battlefield, then perhaps Ohio is the flank that the Republicans are trying to turn while we focus on Wisconsin. We have to fight both fronts. Below I compile some action alerts for Ohio...and I'm hoping others will have some suggestions as well.
First, get informed. Find out the myths and realities of the anti-union SB-5 in Ohio:
Myth: SB-5 is needed to help balance the budget and stimulate job growth.
Reality: SB 5 destroys jobs and lowers wages. You cannot create jobs by destroying jobs. If SB 5 passes, owners of shops, gas stations and other small businesses across this state will be forced to lay off workers or close their doors.
Myth: Public employees are overpaid, and their salaries need to be brought in line with the private sector.
Reality: A recent Rutgers University study found Ohio public employees earn 6 percent less on a yearly basis than their peers in the private sector. They earn 3.5% less on an hourly basis.
The average OAPSE (Ohio Association of Public School Employee) makes $24,000 a year and retires with an average pension of $900 a month. Public employees do not pay into or receive Social Security.
Myth: Public employees need to make a sacrifice to reduce the state’s projected $8 billion budget shortfall.
Reality: Ohio is 44th of 50 states in per capita spending on government workers. State employees have taken a pay freeze five times in 9 years. In the last contract, state employees voluntarily took furloughs and made other financial sacrifices that saved $250 million and an additional $100 in health care costs.
Myth: Public employees have too much power and the public agrees.
Reality: A recent Gallup poll found the 61% of the public oppose taking away some collective bargaining rights of most public employee unions. A recent Quinnipiac Poll found that only 34 percent of the people in Ohio support this proposal.
Myth: Rolling back collective bargaining rights is needed to help managers do their jobs.
Reality: Ohio passed a law in 1983 to establish collective bargaining for state workers. The 1983 law has reduced labor strife, and increased professional training and productivity.
Second, let's keep the rallies going in Ohio. This is from the Ohio Democratic Party:
Despite overwhelming public opposition, Senate Republicans are continuing their assault on Ohio’s middle class. This Tuesday, the State Senate is expected to hold a committee vote on Senate Bill 5. We need to flood the Statehouse and tell Senate Republicans to vote NO. We want to invite you to join thousands of like-minded Ohioans at the “Rally for Ohio’s Middle Class” this Tuesday at the Statehouse.
Here are the details for the rally:
Rally for Ohio’s Middle Class
Tuesday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m.
Ohio Statehouse – West Lawn
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, OH 43215
You can sign up for the rally by clicking here.
John Kasich won the last election in a wave year with less than a majority of the vote. Now, he’s acting like he can ignore the will of the people of Ohio. In a fundraising email, he even mocked Ohioans who are standing up for our middle class, and his Administration locked thousands of Ohioans out of the People’s House last week. The actions of the Republicans are outrageous – and we can’t sit idly by when so much is at stake.
This Tuesday, we need to make sure that Kasich and Senate Republicans hear our voices more loudly and passionately than ever before. Will you join the thousands of Ohioans who will rally against Senate Bill 5?
Our advocacy has made a huge impact already. Republican Senators are feeling the heat. Polls show that more than 60 percent of Americans are on our side. And your presence at the Statehouse will send a clear message to Republican Senators: Stop the assault on Ohio’s middle class!
Please click here to let us know you’re coming, and join us at Statehouse this Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
In solidarity,
The Ohio Democratic Party
P.S. Bus rides to the Statehouse are available on a first-come, first-serve basis across Ohio. They will depart from: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Marietta, Middletown, Toledo and Youngstown. If you are interested, please sign up here.
And click here for the AFL-CIO call to action for the same rally.
Let's really hope the Ohio protests get going strongly enough that they need our help with pizzas to keep them going. But for now I have heard of no such actions.
Third: Support the Ohio Democrats who are doing their best to follow their Wisconsin counterparts and stop yet another Republican attack on unions. One of the best things we can do is in every state Republicans attack unions we need to give Democrats the tools to win the next round of elections. It is a lesson to Republicans to keep their greedy hands off unions and a lesson to Democrats that we reward them when they stand up to Republicans.
Finally, help phone bank to raise awareness and opposition to the Teabagger SB-5 bill. Here are upcoming phone banks with contact info (from the Ohio AFL-CIO):
Akron, OH- 720 Wolf Ledges Pkwy, 219
Kathleen Kelly 330.612.5573 kkelly.neoalf@gmail.com
Canton, OH- 4450 Belden Village St, NW, 201
Kathleen Kelly 330.612.5573 kkelly.neoalf@gmail.com
Cleveland, OH- 3250 Euclid Ave, Laborers’ 310
Teresa Law 740.935.1361
Columbus, OH- 395 E. Broad St., AFL-CIO
Sarah Smith 614.586.6338 centralohioalf@gmail.com
Dayton, OH- 6550 Poe Ave., IBEW Local 82
Kenny Woolum 937.823.5717 krwoolum@daytonaflcio.org
Portsmouth, OH- 110 Offnere St., IBEW 575
Sarah Smith 614.586.6338 centralohioafl@gmail.com
Niles, OH- 1265 N. Main St., USW 1225
Kathleen Kelly 330.612.5573 kkelly.neoalf@gmail.com
Toledo, OH- 1817 Madison Ave
Chris Keck 567.225.4948 keck785@gmail.com
Bowling Green, OH- 455 S. Main Street
Chris Keck 567.225.4948 keck785@gmail.com
Yes...We...Can...if we stick together.
And for those who remember what used to be my son's favorite song, now seems like a damned good time to pull it out:
Spread the word!