Ohio's turn to revolt [Archive]

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StalinFanboy

20th February 2011, 03:19

The massive, government-crippling protests in Madison, Wisconsin have now spilled over into Ohio, where over 5,000 rallied Thursday in opposition to a bill that would eliminate collective bargaining rights for state workers.

Ohio's Senate Bill 5 is essentially the same as what Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker proposed, and it seems to be recieving about the same response. Just last week, more than 800 people showed up to protest the bill while it was still in committee, packing out the statehouse in a show of numbers that Thursday's demonstration easily topped.

The collective bargaining power of unionized workers is a key bullwark for American laborers, who've often been forced to organize throughout US history to force management into offering better pay, health insurance, greater job security, vacation time or even maternity leave. Without collective bargaining, the power of unionized workers would be reduced to their last and most extreme tool in their set: the general strike.

Teachers in Wisconsin showed earlier this week what that may look like, with more than 1,100 of them calling in "sick" and not showing up for work for one single day, to emphasize their importance in the education system.

Estimates on the number of protesters who turned out in Columbus, Ohio on Friday differed, but Cleveland's WTAM 1100 News Radio put the figure at "thousands," noting that it had grown from prior protests. The station also added that Friday's demonstration also drew a counter-protest from a group of tea party Republicans, who were "far outnumbered" by the workers.

The Columbus Dispatch reported Friday's protest attracted "about 3,500" demonstrators, with the Republican counter-protest stacking up at just over 200.

“Instead of focusing on solving the economic problems facing Ohio and creating family-sustaining jobs for the 500,000 Ohioans who still remain jobless, Sen. Jones and Senate GOP leadership are trying to scapegoat hard-working public service workers for our economic and budget woes,” Tim Burga, president of Ohio's AFL-CIO labor union federation, said in a statement.

"This bill is a partisan assault on working families and does nothing but punish workers and hurt the middle class, plain and simple. This bill would destroy the middle class because the working families this bill affects not only provide vital services, but put money and resources back into their communities, which support local merchants and other small businesses."

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/18/ohios-turn-to-revolt-thousands-flood-statehouse-over-anti-union-bill/

apawllo

21st February 2011, 01:03

Monday and Tuesday are shaping up to be bigger than last week. There's a grassroots sort of protest being organized for Columbus in Monday, and a couple others in Youngstown, and Dayton...probably other places too. Then on Tuesday, there's a bigger one being organized at the Capital building in Columbus. The governor who just got voted out of office, Ted Strickland, and current Senator Sherrod Brown, as well as others have been making media appearances and such. We'll have to see how it all turns out, but they're definitely trying to rally people. There's no question that Tuesday will see the biggest turnout yet. :thumbup1:

Kassad

21st February 2011, 03:48

Liberation News has coverage of the demonstration here: http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/unions-pack-ohio-statehouse.html

We'll be at the Statehouse again on Tuesday. The fight is going to continue to escalate, but Kasich isn't showing any signs of slowing down. It'll be interesting to see where it goes from here.

Dunk

21st February 2011, 07:27

Ocean Seal

21st February 2011, 07:32

I really wish that there was a smiley with a huge middle finger, so that I could copy a thousand of those to exemplify what I feel towards the right to work activists. The workers are showing the media that they are not willing to roll over when the bourgeois state demands that they do. Please, I ask that these protests spread like wildfire. Spread the word people. The most powerful weapon against capitalism is communication. Even if you don't think that it makes a difference to tell someone, it will make a difference because once people hear about something, they tend to talk about it, and when people see that there are like minded individuals out there, they are inspired to action.

Kassad

21st February 2011, 14:02

Does anyone know specific organizers to contact regarding the protest? I sent an e-mail to the OCSEA ASCME Local 11 asking if there is anything I can do, especially if I could help put them in contact with local student groups such as College/Young Democrats or the Students for a Democratic Society. I've already sent an e-mail to the President of the College Democrats at the University of Akron, asking her if there are plans, what I can do to help, or to please make plans to join the protests or some other show of solidarity if there are none yet made.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm new to this kind of thing, but really very eager to do anything I can to help fight this.

Unfortunately, Ohio is definitely an area with no real set organization. If you exclude the labor unions, which can be hard to contact or come close to organizing, there's no real organizational overtones to these demonstrations. That's not necessarily a bad thing, except when you want to get in touch with someone.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation is really the only socialist group I've seen at these demonstrations. Meaning, at the Statehouse, we were the only ones leafleting, selling newspapers and talking to people about socialism. There were a lot of people there, but it's usually not hard to spot other socialists. If you're looking to get involved in the demonstrations, you can contact the Columbus branch here: http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/pages/contact-us.html

If you're looking to be more personal than just organizational, feel free to send me a private message and I'll send you some links of other stuff coming up. I think there's going to be another protest tomorrow (Tuesday) starting at 1:00 at the Statehouse, which is expected to go until upwards of 7:00 PM. I'm coming as soon as I'm done with classes.

apawllo

21st February 2011, 16:28

I just got back from a protest outside the Dayton Convention Center. A state senator from the area held a "town hall meeting" which was invite only. The protest only lasted about an hour and a half before people started to head home because it's about 35 degrees outside and pouring rain, but the turn out was pretty great otherwise. Based on my extremely unofficial counts, I'd guess there were at least 500 but likely more.

Anyway, I was talking to a UFCW steward and someone high up in the OEA (unsure of her position), and the consensus seems to be that the bill is going to pass, and there's not much that can be done on their end. Apparently labor attorneys have some sort of legislation to present immediately after the fact. So, I guess this has the potential to be a long battle. Also, the Teamsters and AFL-CIO seem to think that in two years they're going to try to pass similar legislation in the private sector...

Also, I'll be in Columbus tomorrow. :cool:

Dunk

21st February 2011, 17:32

I just received a response from OCSEA ASCME Local 11.

Marcus,

We would love to have you and as many students as you can drum up, join us on Tuesday.

The rights of Ohio public servants are on the chopping block in Ohio Senate Bill 5. It removes the rights of public workers to collectively bargain, organize and form a union, and have their voices heard at work. We have several very successful rallies at the State House with last Thursday's event drawing a record 5,000 protesters, the largest the State Highway Patrol has on record.

Unlike the events unfolding in Wisconsin, the Ohio rallies lack the students and younger generations standing with their brothers and sisters in organized labor.

We need you!

We need to mobilize our generation and engage students, young professionals, young and college democrats.

This Tuesday, February 22, we are planning our largest rally yet with an expected 10,000 citizens. We need you, your friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors to stand with us and show their support.

Please join us at the Ohio State House this Tuesday and have your voice heard. Details below.

What: Rally and Senate Hearing Opposing Senate Bill 5
When: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 starting at 1:00 PM
Where: The Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio 43215

For more information, visit (She posted a link that I am unable to post here - I have less than 25 posts) or call me at 513.478.5928.

In solidarity,

Aryeh Alex
Organizing Director, OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11
513.478.5928/mobile

I have to head towards school today, and was thinking I'll print the e-mail and spend a bit of money to copy it and staple it all over campus, and what will also be on the flier is a Facebook group students can join to get information about action against SB5. The Facebook group is "Fight the anti-labor Ohio Senate Bill 5". So, if any of you would like to join, please do, and invite as many people as you can.

I'm going to try to get off of work tomorrow so I can join, although I know management isn't going to be happy about it - I'm supposed to give three days notice to management when having a shift covered. I'll try to get it covered, but I'm unsure of my chances of being successful or not facing reprisal for so short of notice. :(

Kassad

21st February 2011, 22:33

Also, for everyone in Ohio, there is going to be a mobilization at the Statehouse on March 19th to demand "Jobs and education, not war and occupation!" The details are here: http://www.answercoalition.org/national/news/march-19-day-of-action.html

Just scroll down to the details. Please invite anyone you know so we can make the event a success. :)

Kassad

22nd February 2011, 23:36

I just got back. Workers have basically occupied the Capitol, along with the Western and Southern entrances. The cops aren't letting anyone else in to the Capitol because there is literally no room. I waited a half an hour to get in, got in and just walked back out because it was shoulder to shoulder. I got a lot of positive reactions to the ANSWER fliers I had promoting March 19th, but I also got a lot of hostile responses. Regardless, labor is fighting back.

Amphictyonis

23rd February 2011, 00:02

A great way to shut down the Tea Party IDIOTS in America. Expose the class conflict to workers first hand. Funny thing is I'm willing to bet most of the 200 Tea people that showed up are unemployed. Fucking zombies.

Kassad

23rd February 2011, 00:07

There was no Tea Party presence to be found. Then again, I didn't see any other socialist presence there either.

apawllo

23rd February 2011, 02:45

I just got home. Unfortunately I could only be there for the latter part of the day. Caught a ride with some teachers I know from the area and protested with them. We were outside for about an hour holding some signs they'd made (you might see me around the interwebs, a bunch of people were taking our pictures cause the signs were great), then went inside and heard some speeches from congresspeople, teachers, concerned citizens and so on. The crowd had definitely thinned by the time we arrived, but it was still shoulder to shoulder inside the Capitol building and took a solid 10-15 minute wait to get inside.

The red and black flag was flying also. :cool:

Amphictyonis

23rd February 2011, 03:09

There was no Tea Party presence to be found. Then again, I didn't see any other socialist presence there either.

"The Columbus Dispatch reported Friday's protest attracted "about 3,500" demonstrators, with the Republican counter-protest stacking up at just over 200."

Just taking the OP's sources word for it :)

Kassad

23rd February 2011, 13:27

To the above post, I think he's referring to the demonstration last Thursday. Yesterday there was absolutely no Tea Party presence. Frankly, the police were too busy keeping workers out of the Statehouse to keep us from fighting the Tea Party people.

Here's coverage of the event from Liberation News: http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/as-ohio-gov-tries-wisconsin.html

apawllo

24th February 2011, 00:48

The supposed big news of the day is that the bill is being altered to allow collective bargaining for wage negotiations. Still not for benefits, health care, etc., which obviously will have little to no effect on its potential ramifications. Everything else remains as well. Apparently allowing binding arbitration for emergency personnel is currently under discussion.

Hopefully protests continue to pick up speed.

b man

24th February 2011, 07:09

What is the word on future protests?

Dunk

25th February 2011, 13:17

Oh, man. I threw together a group of around ten people to attend the protest that was supposedly scheduled against Governor Kasich at the Canton Civic Center at 4PM on Thursday, February 24th, and there was no protest to show up to. The Canton Civic Center was closed, and I found a bunch of SEIU signs and anti-SB5 signs around the area - obviously from a Tuesday rally, no protest.

http(colon)(doubleblackslash)action(dot)seiu(dotor g)/page/s/solidarityaction - This is the website I was going off of. I checked the schedule of the Canton Civic Center and it was blank for the 24th, and I assumed they merely weren't advertising a protest, because why would an SEIU website contain such a critical error? I suppose if I did more research, or did more to contact them other than registering for the action I would have found out earlier that they also listed action scheduled in Lorain County on the same day - but on a different website.

To be honest, I was disappointed. I was amped and ready for action, and even primed some friends and family for it, and I feel like I let them down. Luckily I managed to contact many of them in time for them not to waste their gas getting there, and the friends that I had picked up and one that had arrived on his own wasn't very disappointed - there will be more opportunities for action, after all.

Kassad

28th February 2011, 16:56

To everyone in Ohio, there's going to be a massive protest at the Statehouse tomorrow starting at 10 AM. If you're looking to volunteer with other leftists at the rally, contact the ANSWER Coalition at 614-226-7807. We will be doing outreach, getting out signs, petitions and organizing with the working class.

PhoenixAsh

28th February 2011, 17:03

Well....as long as nobody is counting on Obama to support the workers.

During his campaign he mentioned he would stand by and march with the workers if it ever came to abolishing or attacking the unions....right now he is offcourse mentioning that its just a budget problem.

As I view it...this guy is more right-wing than Reagan...less racist though.

HalPhilipWalker

28th February 2011, 18:37

apawllo

2nd March 2011, 18:50

SB5 got voted through committee today. So, the Senate will be voting here soon. It passed on a 7-5 vote; there were 4 Democrats who all voted against it, and originally 6 Republicans for and 2 against. To deal with the gridlock, one of those anti-SB5 Republicans was kicked off the committee and replaced.

They're trying to vote on it in the Senate today apparently. Being that both the House and Senate are full of Republicans, it will be difficult for the Democrats to even slow it down at this point if they wanted to. So, basically it could be signed in to law very soon.

HalPhilipWalker

2nd March 2011, 19:41

Dimmu

2nd March 2011, 19:50

apawllo

3rd March 2011, 00:15

Sadly this is not unexpected. The protest yesterday went well, but honestly there's very little anyone can do at this moment other than possibly put up a repeal through state referendum. Polls show voters are closely split on the issue so this would seem the way to go.

I was suprised by how many people were interested in the Party for Socialism and Liberation yesterday. It seems that many rank-and-file union activist may be realizing the futility of fighting without a leftist vanguard to support them (of course this wasn't universal, but it just seemed to be a trend of people we talked to).

The people I know who this is affecting aren't really concerned about vanguards and such. They're concerned about whether or not they'll have a job a year from now, lose their house, be able to retire before they die, etc. I think the situation has elevated consciousness to a degree though, to the point where the term socialism and the concepts within probably aren't as taboo as they used to be. Most of the rank-and-file are pretty much aligning with the Democrats for now from what I've seen though, and I don't see that drastically changing right now. The most wretched and frustrating aspects of our two party system are showing themselves right now.

Red Commissar

3rd March 2011, 05:25

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110303/ap_on_re_us/us_ohio_union_fight

Ohio Senate has narrowly passed the bill in their chamber- 17-16 (with six Republicans actually crossing over to the opposition against the bill). It now goes to the house.

Red Commissar

4th March 2011, 00:57

Video of a "vigil" in the Capitol by some protesters.

sUBMSeiNbf4

Yeah, I know, can't find much else though. Same uploader has other videos with some statements by organizers.

Are any comrades from Ohio here? Are there any plans for a demonstration following the Senate passage of the bill?

Dunk

4th March 2011, 03:26

As I see it, the dismantling of collective bargaining rights can only be a prelude to cuts that organized workers would take action against. Taking away the bargaining rights and then mandating that workers must vote to retain their union every year is obviously about destroying the union - because if the union isn't able to strike or negotiate over anything other than payroll, then this seriously discourages union membership because the union itself can't perform any of it's primary functions.

What I'm wondering is if Ohioan workers will do what it takes to force the state to change? You'd need the overwhelming majority of public workers - and probably contracted workers as well - to all go on strike. A general strike, immediately after Kasich signs the bill - because the chance to defeat the bill through the state legislature has vanished - the House will pass it. What kind of resource or institution is capable of organizing a general strike in Ohio? I've heard some locals were discussing it, but what must be done to mobilize such an action? What can we do? Who can we contact to urge such action? How can we urge workers to recognize what it will take to save their pensions, guard their jobs, their rights, and to take the action that is necessary - and how can we materially support them through such action? Or - better yet - if this wave of union-busting, neoliberal class war is from state to state - how do we unite the struggles in every state?

Dunk

4th March 2011, 04:27

Of course, there is also this way it can be "fought".

Looks like y’all would like FAQ post on how a referendum works based on information pulled from the Ohio Secretary of State website. So, without further adieu, here’s how a bill signed by the Governor can cease to be a law.
Step 1: Jai Chabra find that executive pen with custom Italian craftsmanship that Kasich insists on signing all his economic crushing legislation with. Governor signs the bill and then sends it Secretary State to place his Seal and file. Shannon Jones gets souvenir pen from signing ceremony.
Step 2: Labor, likely, will register a referendum committee with the Secretary of State’s office.
Step 3: The Committee obtains 1,000 signatures of Ohio electors along with the total language of the bill and a summary of the bill to be subjected to the referendum. This gets filed with Husted. A copy of the referendum committee’s bill and summary is also filed with Mike DeWine’s office.
Step 4: Within ten days of filing, Husted compares the submitted language with the text of the bill on file. If accurate, he certifies the petition. The Ohio Attorney General then decides if the submitted summary accurate reflects the actual language of the bill. Once the AG gives this certification, the committee moves onto…
Step 5: A petition or partial petition which includes the text of bill to be subjected to the referendum is prepared. The referendum committee must get at least 3% of the number of electors in each county who cast votes in 2010 gubernatorial election in, at least, half the counties of Ohio with a grand total of the equivalent of 6% of the number of electors in the 2010 Governor’s race statewide. Specifically, 231,147 signatures from valid registered Ohio voters.
Step 6: The sufficient petitions must be submitted within ninety days after the bill is signed into law. The Secretary of State then reviews the petition to certify whether sufficient signatures were submitted. If not, the committee gets ten additional days after the Secretary determines the signatures are insufficient to submit enough signatures to cure the deficiency.
Step 7: If the petition is determined to be valid, the law will not become effective unless it receives a majority of the vote in the referendum.
Step 8: In no more than 300 words, the referendum committee drafts an argument advocating for the repeal of the bill. The General Assembly appoints legislators to draft an argument against the referendum.
Step 9: Vote….
That’s it. Now that’s not so hard, is it?
From plunderbund.com.

Victus Mortuum

4th March 2011, 05:28

Are large demonstrations expected in Columbus this weekend?

apawllo

4th March 2011, 21:39

Are large demonstrations expected in Columbus this weekend?

There are a bunch of phone banks being set up, and there's canvassing going on as well. You can check the events here:

http://protectohiofamilies.com/

There's a big protest being planned for Tuesday during the Governor's State of the State address.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/187817_202926259734130_5157299_n.jpg

IndependentCitizen

5th March 2011, 15:06

If I'm honest, I really didn't expect public workers, and the general public to get into action over this. I mean, USA being the conservative hotspot of the world. It was truly inspiring. Having spoke to a few Americans on facebook and stuff, many of them said they voted Republican, and probably won't in the future. Which could mean a window of opportunity for socialist brothers and sisters in the states.

I must also add how inspiring it is to see so many Americans getting into action over this bill, truly awesome. And there's facebook groups calling for general strikes already!

Red Commissar

9th March 2011, 17:43

Today is the Governor's speech to the legislature I believe regarding the budget. How was yesterday? How about today? Articles I read indicate that there were some protests during his speech but I'm unclear as to their size.

apawllo

9th March 2011, 20:24

Summary of yesterday by way of pictorial:

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/03epejIcQA55V/x610.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bGr9MD6PQ5q9/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/01WGbda1zL5pw/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06Gc6ZZ18J10p/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/01m28Rg9nx8M2/610x.jpg

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0eel7YodWUdXh/610x.jpg

Kassad

9th March 2011, 20:27

John Kasich is the most pompous prick I've ever encountered. The mobilizations are not going to end, but these workers need to know that socialism is the answer. Like I've said before, the PSL is the only real organization on the ground there getting out literature, talking to workers and promoting a revolutionary alternative. If you want to get involved with us in Ohio, please contact me.

ckaihatsu

9th March 2011, 20:37

Tell Ohio's Governor & House Speaker: Stop the Attack on Workers' Rights!

USAS organizers from coast-to-coast took action on March 2 to Take Back Our Economy:

SLAC, University of Wisconsin's USAS affilate, stages mock wedding with AFSCME Local 171 to protest Gov Walker's budget repair bill and his partnership with Chancellor Martin's partnership to privatize the University.

Campus unions WFSE, SEIU Local 925, and UAW Local 4121 join "UW to UW" solidarity rally organized by University of Washington USAS in Seattle.

USASers at the College of William & Mary host solidarity rally and community forum with Virginia AFL-CIO in solidarity with Wisconsin for collective bargaining.

Cornell USAS hosts teach-in with Schoolof Industrial Labor Relations and rallies in solidarity with Wisconsin.

University of Maryland's USAS group rallies in solidarity with workers in Wisconsin and workers striking a campus cleaning supplies contractor.

See usas.org/OurEconomy for a longer list of the over 30 cities where USAS organizers took action on March!

First they came for Wisconsin. Now they're after us.

Here in Ohio, the attack on workers’ rights has gone farther than in Wisconsin, if you can believe it. Tomorrow, the House may pass a bill that strips away collective bargaining rights from an even broader group of workers than the bill in Wisconsin that has sparked weeks of protests: Even Ohio’s police and firefighters would lose their rights.

Stand with Ohio workers and students, and tell Governor Kasich and Speaker Batchelder to stop the attack on workers’ rights.

http://afl.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=mAvgltDotOHr9JGqoHU72p2VBfL1Tn8v

As Ohio State University USAS, we understand that workers already have too little power. And we know it’s not only about workers’ rights. It’s about our futures. It’s about our teachers, it’s about our firefighters. It's about students, too -- just last night Governor Kasich threatened major cuts to public education. When Kasich announces the budget next Tuesday, we expect tuition hikes up to 20%.

We knew we had to take action, and joined USASers in Wisconsin, Indiana and across the country to Take Back Our Economy!

Last week in Ohio, the Senate has already this extreme anti-union bill by the slimmest possible margin, with a 17-16 vote. But in the House, Republicans who have backed the anti-union bill have a strong majority. The labor movement and Democrats have already vowed that if this bill passes they will fight to repeal it at the ballot. But right now, we need to send a clear message that we're not going away.

Email Governor Kasich and Speaker Batchelder now, and tell them that taking away workers' rights won't help fix Ohio's budget.

http://afl.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Tf%2F1K9v0W7UyLiLXXQaAqJ2VBfL1Tn8v

Our campaign to Take Back Our Economy from the corporations that are fighting to keep workers in poverty has only just begun! This week, USASers at the University of Wisconsin are hosting a teach-in and taking action with AFSCME workers on their campus against UW-Madison Chancellor Martin’s secretive scheme to work with Governor Walker to privatize the University. In Indiana, USAS’s affiliate NO SWEAT is also mobilizing students to rally at the Capitol and organizing a teach-in around legislative attacks on workers, immigrants, students, and women’s reproductive rights.

For well over a decade, USAS activists in Wisconsin, Indiana, and in my home state of Ohio have been uniting to campaign against corporations that have denied collective bargaining rights for campus workers and overseas garment workers. Today, we’re joining together to defend our states, and we know we can count on you to keep building our movement.

You read this far, and still haven't sent an e-mail to Governor Kasich? Take action now!

http://afl.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Tf%2F1K9v0W7UyLiLXXQaAqJ2VBfL1Tn8v

After 14 years of successful USAS campaigns to rein in corporate greed to win justice with workers, we know better than anyone that the problem with our economy is not that workers have rights -- can you believe that's what these anti-union Governors are saying? The problem with our economy is reckless corporations free to gamble our economy into recession, and still get all the bailouts and tax breaks they could ever want, while forcing their workers to depend on public services like food stamps and Medicaid. Corporations must be held accountable to pay their fair share and treat workers with dignity.

If corporations and corporate-funded politicians thought that young people will stand by while they tear away workers rights, they're were very, very wrong. Let's Take Back Our Economy!

In solidarity,
Terasia Bradford
Ohio State University
United Students Against Sweatshops

USAS: Organizing for Student and Worker Power
You have received this email through your subscription to this campaign's email list.

If you did not subscribe, or would no longer like to receive email updates unsubscribe here

USAS - United Students Against Sweatshops

apawllo

14th March 2011, 18:27

There will be protests going on statewide tomorrow in opposition to this:

http://dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/03/13/copy/kasich-budget-will-include-cuts-cuts-more-cuts.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

http://standupforohio.org/events/

apawllo

17th March 2011, 02:48

One of many things that went on yesterday:

gE9qVUcLsZ4

A couple thousand people marched from Westerville HS in the town where Kasich lives to his house. Yeah, apparently the Governor's mansion isn't good enough for him, so he lives in his own house instead. Not exactly Cairo or even Madison, but a large group of angry protesters on the front lawn of the house where your family lives berating you has to be somewhat intimidating.

Anyway, all told, over 10,000 protested statewide in about 15 towns. :thumbup1:

HalPhilipWalker

17th March 2011, 03:43

That is awesome. Sadly, time and budget reasons prevent me from making it up to Columbus to protest to often. Does anyone know anyone from Dayton willing to give me a lift sometime?

Robespierre Richard

17th March 2011, 03:52

Well hopefully there's more that can be done organization-wise than just rallies. You guys at PSL passing any ideas around?

That is awesome. Sadly, time and budget reasons prevent me from making it up to Columbus to protest to often. Does anyone know anyone from Dayton willing to give me a lift sometime?

Sounding a bit like Obama there, HalPhilipWalker.

apawllo

17th March 2011, 04:59

It would be cool if a Festival for May Day could be organized, but I don't know if anyone has already started, or even where to begin.

Also I'm in Dayton, but my license is under suspension until September. I normally just catch rides with people I know who are going when that happens which isn't too often. I've only been to Columbus 2 times so far, and then 2 protests in Dayton.

We should plan something here though. :thumbup1:

Kassad

17th March 2011, 05:25

This Saturday, March 19th, there will be a protest at the Statehouse demanding "Jobs, not war!" and "Stop the war on unions!" organized by the ANSWER Coalition. It'd be great if some of you could make it out.

apawllo

19th March 2011, 17:34

I was going to try to make it to Columbus today, but I won't be able to. I'll head over to the Dayton rally and see what's going on there in a few hours though.

Thought I'd post this up as well:

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/export-content/sites/dispatch/local_news/stories/2011/03/16/budget-highlights-large.jpg

apawllo

23rd March 2011, 01:59

There was a small protest at a bank in Columbus yesterday.

http://www.progressohio.org/images/HBAN_Dirty15.jpg

cKAIR2wjbeY

There's a pretty liberal/progressive attitude to this, but that's about as much as can be expected around here at the moment. As mentioned, at least they're trying to raise awareness...

Also, I don't know if this has been mentioned anywhere, but there are events being planned nationwide for April 4: http://www.we-r-1.org/

apawllo

26th March 2011, 21:58

The house committee is supposed to hold a vote to pass the bill on Tuesday, and the vote should occur shortly thereafter. Protests are being held all day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Red Commissar

31st March 2011, 05:28

Any Ohio locals have some news to share? The bill has passed through both houses- what has been the response?

Dunk

31st March 2011, 07:24

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/03/ohio_house_approves_overhaul_o.html

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A drastic overhaul of Ohio's nearly 30-year-old collective-bargaining law cleared the legislature on Wednesday after nearly two months of contentious hearings, raucous protests and passionate debate. Now the fight comes to your doorstep.

Republican Gov. John Kasich will sign Senate Bill 5, which will spark a voter referendum effort by Democrats and unions to defeat the bill by putting it before voters on the Nov. 8 ballot.

"This isn't over," House Democratic Leader Armond Budish, of Beachwood, said on the House floor before representatives approved it, 53-44. "We've just begun to fight, and we're going to fight like hell."

...The bill would reduce the number of topics subject to collective bargaining, ban public workers from striking, prohibit employers from paying more than 85 percent of workers' health insurance costs and set pay raises on performance rather than length of service.

House Republicans approved numerous changes to the bill this week, including: a provision to explicitly allow police and firefighters to negotiate for personal safety equipment; a restriction on public workers contributing to a political action committee through a payroll deduction; a new performance-based pay scale for teachers and other workers; and a ban on requiring "fair share" fees -- union dues paid by public workers who decide not to join their union.

House Republicans also included a provision that would make it easier to decertify a public union. Currently, more than 50 percent of workers must sign a petition to hold a decertification vote. The latest version of SB 5 knocked the petition threshold down to 30 percent. What depresses me most is that the Democratic Party and union bureaucrats are going to direct any momentum of resistance into a petition to force a referendum, rather than public sector and private sector workers taking direct action against this, together. It's going to kill resistance to it, and then I'm willing to bet when the referendum comes around - after plenty of time passes and people forget - some right wing group funded by some billionaire and millionaire capitalists is going to swoop in and bombard the public of Ohio with propaganda in support of the new law.

Fuck this shit so much. :cursing:

Dunk

6th April 2011, 18:31

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/04/cleveland_schools_lay_off_xx_c.html#cmpid=v2mode_b e_smoref_face

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland school board took the stage at its downtown auditorium Tuesday and played what's become a recurring role.

It laid off 643 teachers, some for the third time in the last seven years.

The board also closed seven of its 94 schools, including Giddings Elementary where Freeman teaches. In all, the cuts aimed at stabilizing the district financially along with slight revenue increases total nearly $73 million...

...More than 200 people, many of them teachers, cheered criticism of the moves. Teachers stood and led chants of "Shame on you."...

...Along with Giddings, shutting down in June will be Margaret Ireland, an alternative school for seventh- through 11th grades; the Early Childhood Development Center, for prekindergarten through third grade; and four other elementary schools: Capt. Arthur Roth, Emile B. deSauze, Union and Woodland Hills.

All of the schools are on the East Side, where foreclosure and abandonment have cut desolate swaths.

Barbara Gamble, who attended the meeting, lamented the closing of Roth, where her grandson is in the seventh grade.

"I'm just tired that every time I look up this neighborhood has another abandoned school or an abandoned building," she said.

My bold.

Kassad

6th April 2011, 18:39

If anyone from Ohio can make it to Columbus on April 16th, we'll be holding a PSL Forum titled "U.S. War on Libya and Uprising in the Arab World". Here's all the details: http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/branches/columbus/events/us-war-on-libya-arab-uprising.html

We will also be joining protestors this weekend at the Statehouse to fight Senate Bill 5.

Red Commissar

10th April 2011, 18:32

We will also be joining protestors this weekend at the Statehouse to fight Senate Bill 5.

How did that go?

Kassad

10th April 2011, 20:05

How did that go?

Really well. There were over 11,000 people there. We were on the ground getting out issues of Liberation Newspaper and fliers for an upcoming event. The labor unions are trying to veil the fact that they're trying to turn this movement into a mobilization for the elections. A lot of prominent Ohio Democrats were there and there was lots of Republican bashing, but no real alternative was provided other than to vote Democratic. That's why it's imperative that revolutionaries be there in the struggle to provide that alternative.