The Wolf is Huffing and Puffing in Ohio
Ohio House Bill 53 introduced on February 13, 2017
We knew Right to Work (for less) would come to Ohio. At this moment House Bill 53, the bill to “remove the requirements to join public employee union” is waiting for attention in the Ohio House’s Finance Committee. This amendment to the Revised Code would remove any requirement in the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Law that public employees join or pay dues or fees to any employee organization.
It doesn’t specifically affect Local 880 yet. House Bill 53 addresses government or public workers only. A review of the 28 states that are currently Right to Work (for less) or open shop states shows legislative action often starts with public sector workers like state employees and teachers and then moves to the private sector.
Labor Union Approval
A Gallup Work and Education Poll* conducted August 3 – 7, 2016 confirmed that a majority of Americans continue to approve of Labor Unions. Gallup first asked Americans whether they approved or disapproved of labor unions in 1936. Since then, approval averaged 62%.
Americans are most likely to say unions mostly help union workers themselves. We know that unions set the standard in an industry. They raise the bars for all workers. A majority of those polled say unions benefit the U.S. economy. Union approval reached its high points of 75% in 1953 and 1957 Gallup polls.
Two legislators in Local 880’s region cosponsored House Bill 53: Kristina Roegner, district 37 (Summit) and Andy Thompson, district 95 (Carroll). Wait and see is not the option now. We must reach out to our state legislators and voice our disapproval. Just click the links below and let the sponsoring Ohio House legislators know what you think of their House Bill 53 and the Right to Work For Less.
Kristina Roegner, District 37, Summit County: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/kristina-roegner/contact
Andy Thompson, District 95, Carrol, Harrison and Belmont Counties:http://www.ohiohouse.gov/andy-thompson/contact
Niraj Antani, District 42, Montgomery County: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/niraj-j-antani/contact
John Becker, District 65, Clermont County: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/john-becker/contact
Tom Brinkman, District 27, Hamilton County: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/thomas-e-brinkman-jr/contact
Bill Dean, District 74, Madison County: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/bill-dean/contact
Wesley Goodman, District 87, Crawford, Morrow and Wyandot Counties:http://www.ohiohouse.gov/wesley-a-goodman/contact
Ron Hood, District 78, Hocking, Fairfield, Pickaway, and Morgan Counties:http://www.ohiohouse.gov/ron-hood/contact
Candice Keller, District 53, Butler County: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/candice-keller/contact
Derek Merrin, District 47, Fulton and Lucas Counties: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/derek-merrin/contact
Craig Riedel, District 82, Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert Counties:http://www.ohiohouse.gov/craig-s-riedel/contact
Nino Vitale, District 85, Champaign, Logan and Shelby Counties: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/a-nino-vitale/contact
Paul Zeltwanger, District 54, Warren County: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/paul-zeltwanger/contact
*A Gallup Poll is an assessment of public opinion by the questioning of a statistically representative sample, in this case Americans over 18. 2016 is the first poll since 2011 to assess unions’ effect on the U.S. economy, on unionized companies, and on union and nonunion workers.
UFCW Local 880
9199 Market Place, Suite 2, Broadview Heights, OH 44147
216-241-5930 or Toll Free 800-241-5930
ufcw@ufcwlocal880.com