Posted In: Multimedia, Ohio, Uncategorized, Workers' Rights

Tags: collective bargaining, firefighters, larry wicks, nurses, Ohio, Ohio Education Association, ohio issue 2, Ohio Senate Bill 5, pat frost-brooks, police, teachers, we are ohio

by Brian Washington/photos courtesy of Staci Maiers and the Ohio Education Association

Through grassroots organizing, coalition building, and community outreach, Issue 2—more commonly known as SB 5—was defeated at the polls in Ohio. Working families have said “no” to legislation that would have stripped public employees of their right to advocate for the communities they serve.

Congratulations to the Ohio Education Association (OEA), its members and staff, and OEA President Pat Frost-Brooks. Thank you OEA for educating and inspiring voters to make the right choice for students and the future of Ohio. Throughout the campaign, the voices of rank and file members from a wide variety of unions echoed in unison throughout the state — thanks in large part to We Are Ohio (WAO) and the coalition’s Chair, Larry Wicks, who is also the Executive Director of the OEA.

Facts From the Campaign

• OEA/NEA provided the largest number of volunteers on the campaign – accounting for 1 in 4 canvass shifts during the campaign.
• OEA/NEA sent more than 500,000 pieces of targeted direct mail to members during the persuasion and GOTV phases of the campaign.
• OEA/NEA made more than 75,000 person-to-person (not robo) phone calls to members during the final 5 days of the campagn.
• The We Are Ohio campaign was housed in the OEA building.
• Over 5,000 calls were made into Ohio by NEA members from around the country.
• NEA members and staff from 20 states traveled to Ohio for the GOTV phase of the campaign.

American workers nationwide are cheering because, in Ohio, the middle class has just won a big victory. Both Democrats and Republicans have sent a message that is reverberating across the country—“We don’t turn our backs on the people who watch ours.”

Ohio Voters realize that when educators have a voice in the workplace, they are better advocates for children, just as Ohio Education Association member Courtney Johnson points out in the ad below. Families are healthier when nurses can speak out for better care and more staffing. Communities are safer when firefighters and police can collectively bargain decisions related to staffing and equipment.

But now it’s up to the rest of us. Issues like SB 5 in Ohio are happening and will continue to happen in communities across the country, unless you speak up and take action. We must unite against those who want to take away the rights of working families and balance budgets on the backs of the middle class.

Click here to keep up to date with the latest news from Education Votes and learn what battles are coming to a state legislature near you. Our collective voices must be heard!