Labor Protests to Defend Collective Bargaining Rights Spread to Ohio

[suffragette]

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/2/22/labor_protests_to_defend_collective_bargaining

In Ohio, tens of thousands are expected to pour into the State Capitol of Columbus today for a rally against Senate Bill Five. The measure would require state employees to abandon collective bargaining, pay more toward health insurance premiums, and switch to a so-called "merit-based" pay system. Republican Governor of Ohio John Kasich has said public employees who go on strike should lose their jobs. We speak to Donald Conley, operations director for Ohio Civil Service Association, the union that represents 35,000 state employees in Ohio.






Weather forecast: It's heating up in the midwest.

[Bozita]

1. CNN covering it now - reporter asking the right questions!

This was at the top of the hour. I'm sure CNN will be showing this in later newscasts.

[suffragette]

4. I'm listening to Hartmann

Glad to hear CNN is covering and that good questions are being asked.

Can you recall what some of the questions were?

[Bozita]

9. No, I'm suffering from information overload today.

Been reading, watching, listening to reports on the war on labor since waking. It's all one big mess in my brain now.

Take a look at CNN near the top of the next hour. A lead story one hour is likely to remain in or near the top of the queue.

[Bozita]

11. on CNN now!

[suffragette]

13. Thanks

My feed is so choppy, I'm only catching one out of every 3-5 words.

[lonestarnot]

2. Woohoo!

K & R!

[Renew Deal]

3. There should be a protest in NYC tonight at Fox News

They are going to the source. Hopefully it's a large crowd.

[1776Forever]

5. If you think Walker is bad you ain't met Kasich! Yes I used ain't!

Take a look if you haven't seen this or just so you don't forget!

Kasich, Ohio's governor, thinks cops that do their jobs are idiots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF0_Qe4zNrE

:puke:

[suffragette]

8. Really showing his true thoughts there

I imagine that's going to come back to bite him now - deservedly so.

Everyone needs to see this.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, suffragette.

[leftstreet]

7. K&R

[suffragette]

10. Updates from AFL-CIO blog and live stream

http://blog.aflcio.org/


http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/02/22/ohio-closing-doors-on-rally-participants/

Ohio Closing Doors on Rally Participants

by Tula Connell, Feb 22, 2011


Crowds are gathering at the Capitol in Columbus, Ohio, to protest legislation that would take away the freedom of working people to bargain for good middle-class jobs.

The Statehouse is closing doors to rally-goers (but letting the media in) due to it being a “safety hazard.” Anyone who goes outside can’t come back in. But they’re allowing FAR FEWER people inside this time than last week.

They’re offering seating across the street, it seems in part to divide the group and make the crowd seem smaller.

Because the atrium, etc. were already booked until 2 p.m., the plan had already been for the crowd to stay outside.

[Generic Other]

12. Link to Union songs and history here!

ORGANIZE!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x450192

[suffragette]

14. Wonderful thread!

Added a link to NW Labor songs and Earl Robinson in your thread.

[suffragette]

15. Ohio Statehouse locked amid union protest

http://www.wfmj.com/Global/story.asp?S=14077598

Associated Press - February 22, 2011 3:05 PM ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Officials have locked the doors to the Ohio Statehouse as thousands of union protesters gather on the grounds to oppose a bill that would strip public employees of collective bargaining rights.

Ohio Public Safety spokesman Joe Andrews says about 1,000 people have been allowed into the Rotunda and Atrium on Tuesday for a 4 p.m. committee hearing on the bill. Additional visitors are being directed to an off-site theater, where the meeting will be simulcast. The Statehouse halls, meeting rooms and basement area remain mostly empty.

Andrews says access is being denied to visitors without appointments in the interest of safety.

Attorney Don McTigue (mik-TEYEG') says his office has contacted the attorney general's staff on behalf of labor organizations in an effort to gain access for as many people as possible.

Photos here:
http://www.progressohio.org/blog/2011/02/citizens-locked-out-of-statehouse.html



Looks like they're scared of the citizens filling the statehouse like they did in Wisconsin.