Published 08 Mar, 2011
The halls of the Ohio statehouse in Columbus rumbled with chants of Kill the Bill as thousands of people crammed into the capitol today to protest Senate Bill 5 during Republican Governor John Kasich’s State of the State Address.
After gathering on the steps of the capitol building, thousands of firefighters, bus drivers, teachers, construction workers and nurses flooded into the building to let Gov. Kasich know that working people will not stand by while he threatens the middle-class. As Kasich gave his speech behind closed doors, the sounds of booing and chanting from the protestors in the hallways outside echoed through the chambers.
“The energy was really amazing and should send a signal to the politicians that they need to do something and get rid of that bill,” said Doug Wegryn, President of TWU Local 2019.
Kasich and his Republican allies have decided to take on the very people that serve the public and make communities function- like firefighters, policemen and teachers. Union firefighters turned out en masse and marched to the capitol to protect collective bargaining, which has led to safer working conditions and helped protect the public.
“The rally was quite moving. I never thought I’d see so many people in one area. I thought it was loud outside the capitol but once we were inside it was three or four times louder,” said Harold Markey, Jr. President of TWU Local 2011.
TWU locals representing the rail and transit divisions came from all over Ohio to stand with their union sisters and brothers. Members from Local 2011 in Toledo and Local 2019 in Cleveland joined with Local 208 from Columbus. SB 5 is a direct threat to Local 208 members who are public workers for the Central Ohio Transit Authority, while members from other locals in the private sector were excited to show solidarity and know they will be the next targets.
“The bill in Ohio should be called the bill for the rich and the barely hanging on because there will be no middle-class or poor, only the barely hanging on,” said Andrew Jordan, President of TWU Local 208.
Kasich’s unprecedented and unpopular move has sparked a massive statewide mobilization to stop SB 5, a bill that would take away public workers’ collective bargaining rights, the right to strike, and slash pay and benefits. Rallies have been held for more than four-weeks in a row at the capitol and in cities and towns around Ohio. Union and community members are knocking on doors, phone banking and writing their representatives. More events are planned in the coming weeks as the House prepares to vote on the bill.
Bernie Burkett, President of TWU Local 1 in Akron, OH, has been busy going to events. “I’ve been to a lot of rallies down in Columbus and been doing a lot of screaming. I haven’t shut-up since this thing started. They want to blame workers for the problems in the state and that is not true. We are part of the solution not the problem,” remarked Burkett.
The bill is likely to pass the Ohio legislature and be signed by the Governor, but opponents are ready to put the measure on the ballot for a referendum so the citizens of Ohio can vote directly and overturn the draconian law.
“Its time for us as Americans and as workers to stand up and take charge and fight for what we got. We are done getting stepped on,” said Markey.