UWUA Local G-555 Stands with Ohio Workers
|
On November 8, 2011, Ohioans spoke with one clear and emphatic voice, and voted by an overwhelming margin to support the workers right to collective bargaining. This battle started with the 2010 election of Governor Kasich and his allies who immediately put forth the anti-union legislation known Senate Bill 5. In February 2010, the Utility Workers Union of America along with thousands of other protesters marched to Columbus demanding negotiations over the bill. Kasich wouldn’t meet with union representatives and blatantly refused protesters access to the Statehouse. In a shameful move, when Senate members of Kasich’s party sided with organized labor on the issue, he removed them from the committee. The vote passed 17-16 and SB5 became law. Working families became the scapegoat for Ohio’s budgetary problems. In April 2011, National President Langford appointed me to represent the Utility Workers Union at the Ohio Labor Table and the SB5 Steering Committee. The group included public and private sector Union leaders and community groups. The citizen-driven, community-based, bi-partisan coalition came together to defeat SB5, meeting weekly and working diligently in fighting for working families in Ohio. I am honored and privileged to work with such a hardworking and committed group of citizens. Our members anxiously signed petitions and volunteered to obtain signatures to get the referendum on the ballot to repeal the bill. 231,000 signatures were necessary; 1.3 million were secured. Utility Workers Union of America also contributed financially, worked phone lines, and tirelessly canvassed voters to defeat SB5. A lot of work went into repealing the bill and the overwhelming support at the polls vindicated our efforts to solidify the working class. We must maintain the momentum going forward. On election night in Columbus, I joined many other committee members to promote this effort. To that end, we will be meeting again in December to proactively promote the rights of working families. Fraternally, Michael Coleman Executive President Gasworkers Union Local G-555 Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO |
