SB 5

Time to stand up for Ohio's middle class

Come to the Ohio Statehouse (1 Capitol Square, Columbus, Ohio 43215) Tuesday, February 22, at 1 p.m. to protest the attempt to end collective bargaining in Ohio!

If ever there was a time to show up, stand up and let our voices be heard, it is now. The fate of Ohio’s middle class is on the line at the Ohio Statehouse. Your presence will send a strong message and help efforts to defeat Senate Bill 5 and the rest of the GOP’s anti-middle class agenda.

Wear your work uniform if applicable (fire fighter uniform, scrubs, etc) OR wear red. RSVP.

Can't attend on Feb. 22?

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in opposition to SB 5. Tips and contact information for your local newspaper.

Attend a phone bank to engage other activists in activities against Senate Bill 5. Find the phone bank closest to you.

Here's what you can say about Ohio Senate Bill 5

• SB 5 is a jobs killer. It will weaken the middle class in Ohio.
• Anyone who supports SB 5 is destroying jobs in Ohio and harming the middle class.
• If SB 5 passes, shops, stores, gas stations and other merchants in communities across this state will lay off workers or shutter their windows and close their doors.
• For almost 28 years, collective bargaining has: Reduced labor strife; reduced the likelihood of strikes; and improved training and productivity among public employees.
• The repeal of collective bargaining will do nothing to balance the budget because: 9 percent of the state budget is for state employees; firing every state employee in Ohio would save only $2 billion, leaving the state without vital services and there would still be an $6 billion deficit; since this does not address the budget deficit, it is clear that anti-worker forces are using this to harm the middle class and kill jobs.

Other talking points:

• Public employees provide a wide range of necessary services. They drive children to and from school safely. They patrol our streets, put out fires, provide transportation for disabled and elderly, safeguard our prisons, plow our streets, fix our busted waterlines in freezing weather.
• Our teachers, police, firefighters and other public employees are also our neighbors, friends, family members, coaches, volunteers. They are part of the fabric of our communities.
• Our prison guards, bus drivers, water and sewer workers, educators, in-home caregivers are also consumers and customers in their communities. They spend their money locally on cars, appliances, furniture, food, gas, and other items. They keep local merchants open, hiring and thriving.

Fill the Statehouse

Attend two hearings on Senate Bill 5, the GOP effort to destroy collective bargaining for teachers, police, fire fighters and other civic employees.
Today, Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m.

Committee on Insurance, Commerce and Labor

The Ohio Democratic Party is trying to turn out as many people as possible to these hearings. Join in!

Voice your opinion

Can't attend the hearings? Call, write, and email. Senator Kevin Bacon R-3rd Senate District, chairs the Senate Committee on Insurance, Commerce and Labor, which is holding the two hearings this week on SB 5. Please contact his office to voice your opposition to SB 5.

Letters:
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Calls: (614) 466-8064
Email: SD03@senate.state.oh.us

Answers for Tea Party supporters

Tea Party members will be coming out to support SB 5. The Buckeye Institute makes it clear that ending collective bargaining is a priority. However, the Ohio Democratic Pary does not want any confrontations between public employees, union members or their supporters and Tea Party members. (And there may be individuals with a different agenda using the Tea Party as cover to antagonize or create problems that would be reported in the media.)
Any interactions between anti-SB 5 and pro-SB 5 Ohioans should be positive.
Messages to the Tea Party should be two-fold:

• Join us in building and strengthening the middle class in Ohio and America. We are you and you are us. We share the same values, good jobs, affordable health care, a strong economy.
• Public employees serve you. Did you make coffee or take a shower this morning? They make sure your water is clean. Did you see a nurse in the past year because you or your family member was ill? They help you feel better. Did you shop for groceries in the past week? They stock your shelves with food. Did you drive on roads to Columbus today? Thet pave those roads. Do you feel safe knowing the police or a firefighter is a phone call away? They are your cops and your firefighters.