Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Solidarity in Ohio

I just got back from spending the day inside the capitol building in Columbus, Ohio.  What I saw inside was a wonderful display of solidarity between many labor organizations.  This stood in stark contrast of the GOP's refusal to allow the citizens of Ohio to have their voices heard.  First, the locked down the capitol building, only allowing 500-700 people inside, while thousands rallied on the steps of the capitol.  Not to be denied, those of us inside made sure that they could hear us inside the chamber, as debate on Senate Bill 5 began. 

I got to shake hands with Rep. Dennis Kucinich, as well as former Gov. Ted Strickland.  I stood for several hours, and am tired, but all in all, this was an amazing first day with SEIU/1199 WV/KY/OH.  Hopefully, more people will continue to stand with the public service employees in Ohio and Wisconsin.  Today, Gov. Mitch Daniels in Indiana asked the state GOP to table efforts to strip collective bargaining rights from public service employees.  Gov. Rick Scott in Florida followed suit as well.  Now, someone just needs to get the memo through to Kasich and Walker.

In Solidarity,

Joseph

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