Anti-Union Bill Passes Ohio Senate
- Posted on March 3, 2011 at 6:59am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — While much of the nation’s attention remains focused on a stalled proposal in Wisconsin to restrict collective bargaining rights for public workers, an Ohio measure that in some ways is tougher and broader is speeding toward reality.
A Senate panel and then the full chamber approved the Ohio measure Wednesday amid jeers from onlookers. The bill would restrict the collective bargaining rights of roughly 350,000 teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees, while Wisconsin’s would affect about 175,000 workers and exempt police and firefighters.
“For as far-reaching this thing is and how many lives it will affect, I can’t believe how fast it moved,” said Columbus Police Sgt. Shaun Laird, who wanted lawmakers to spend more time debating the changes.
Wisconsin’s bill remains in limbo after Democrats hightailed it for the Illinois border on the day the Senate was to adopt the bill. Their absence left the chamber one member short of the quorum needed for a vote.
In contrast, the Ohio bill could go as early as next week to House committee hearings. Republicans hold a 59-40 majority in the House, where the measure is likely to receive strong support.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican like his Wisconsin counterpart, Scott Walker, praised the development. Both have pushed the collective bargaining bills as part of budget-balancing measures.
“This is a major step forward in correcting the imbalance between taxpayers and the government unions that work for them,” Kasich said.
The differences and similarities between the two proposals are many and nuanced, especially because lawmakers continue to debate and insert or subtract individual proposals. But to critics, at least one thing is clear: Both bills are meant to weaken the role of the unions.
“From the perspective of unions, both bills are punitive and would severely restrict what they have traditionally bargained over and what they have done as organizations,” said Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California at Berkley who specializes in labor issues.
The Ohio bill would ban strikes by public workers and establish penalties for those who do participate in walkouts. State workers in Wisconsin are already prohibited from striking.
Unionized workers in Ohio could negotiate wages, hours and certain work conditions – but not health care, sick time or pension benefits. The measure would do away with automatic pay raises, and base future wage increases on merit.
Wisconsin‘s measure would forbid most government workers from collectively bargaining except over wage increases that aren’t beyond the rate of inflation. Police and firefighters would be exempt.
Both states’ capitols have been mobbed by protesters, Ohio’s not as intensively as the two-week-long siege in Wisconsin. Protesters in Ohio were fewer Wednesday during the marquee vote in the Senate than they were the day before, when 8,500 demonstrators gathered inside and out.
“Shame!” firefighters and teachers shouted in the Senate chamber as the measure squeaked through on a 17-16 vote.
Standing in the rotunda afterward, Columbus firefighter Terry Marsh said he understood the Legislature’s need to look for ways to save on costs and examine collective bargaining.
“But to ram something through within a few weeks is irresponsible, and to blame the budget woes of the state on the workers is a downright travesty,” he said.
Ohio’s legislation would also set up a new process to settle worker disputes, giving elected officials the final say in contract disagreements. Binding arbitration, which police officers and firefighters use to resolve contract disputes as an alternative to strikes, would be eliminated.
Republican Sens. Tim Grendell of Chesterland and Bill Seitz of Cincinnati spoke out against the new proposed way to resolve disputes. Grendell said the process would turn workers into beggars before city councils and other officials who oversee them.
“No one can be a judge and advocate in their own cause,” Seitz said. “That‘s called ’heads I win, tails you lose.’”
Seitz had expressed disappointment in the bill and was removed from the panel by its leaders, a move that secured the votes needed to get the legislation before the full Senate.
Anthony Caldwell, spokesman for the Service Employees International Union, District 1199, said the union’s focus will now turn to the House. Members there serve shorter terms and may be more vulnerable to repercussions at the ballot box than senators, he said.
“We hope that the members of the House will understand the valuable role working families play in their districts,” he said. “The House is a two-year body. Whatever happens, people are going to remember that. This isn’t just about union issues, this is about working people.”
—
Associated Press writers Andrew Welsh-Huggins and Julie Carr Smyth contributed to this report.
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Comments (226)
Nobama12
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:02amAMEN TO OHIO !! Great Job OHIO .. Now to get the other states to follow and do as you did .
Report Post »Uncle Crusty
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:00amBUST the freaking unions!
Report Post »bkeely
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:56amOne down 49 states to go!
Report Post »——————
Buck
Http://www.***************
Heirloom seeds “how God plants His garden”
dawg of gawd
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 10:15amTypically uninformed conservative POV.
Report Post »luvtheright
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:45amAs an Ohioan, I am PROUD of Gov. Kasich in working to RESTORE our state FINANCIALLY! I’m not sure why unions continue using “the working middle class” as their mantra, but they MUST KNOW that the majority of American Taxpayers DO NOT BELONG TO unions. IT IS THE JOB OF GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER! We are the ones who have been getting the SHAFT for way too long! Maybe these public employees would see things more clearly if they were laid off or lost their jobs as many in the private sector already have!!!
Keep up the GOOD WORK OHIO!!!
Report Post »hflndrs
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:41am@BSDETECTOR I understand and know that something has to be done. I look at the line item veto and think it’s a good idea until I realize the other guys will be in charge again someday. When I’m hired to do a roof, the homeowner contracts with me understanding I’m bringing a crew. I can’t see the benefit of the home owner contracting with each one of my nail pounders.
Report Post »Mike Z4000
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:35amNow this is Progress!!! Progressives!
Report Post »gwinfrey
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 4:28pmAMEN to progress!
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:35amGood for Ohio!!!!!!!
Wisconsin will pull it off……..!!!!!
Unions are Organized Crime Syndicates – and should be abolished.
Unions have changed their mission – from quality working conditions and protecting standard wages – to being stupid enough to believe the unions run the show in every state – with union bosses arrogant enough – such as Trumka of AFL-CIO – admitting to their socialist agenda.
Too bad – so sad – the unions’ Pyamid power has blown to bits – along with The Obama Myth.
Report Post »ETOOL USMC RECON
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:34amGO BUCKEYES……Let us here in the Keystone be next…please, Tom Corbet (new R Gov).
PS. If you guys in OH pass this I promise to take the sticker off my car:
****GO BENGALS……AND TAKE THE BROWNS WITH YOU***
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:58amThe tea party is active here and putting the pressure on. Luck to your Keystonian state . hope your reps get it!
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:01amOh and by the way,like the dems in Wisconsin,the way the bungles and clowns played this year,I think they already left Ohio
Report Post »Skylight
Posted on March 4, 2011 at 11:11amLOL. I’m a Buckeye and find this funny. Poor Bengals and Browns. But, at least we have our OSU Buckeyes to cheer!
Report Post »Joe Astroturf
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:32amPrivate unions made the country great but because of all these public union slackers that work for 20 years and then retire on our backs we’re losing our healthcare that we worked for. Unlike the nonpublic unions that have to create a product they just have to vote in democrats like craggly necked Nancy Pelosi so they can get rich and her elected. Even FDR and George Meaney the first president of the AFL-CIO knew the public unions would be like Dracula to our children as public unions like the teachers union sucked the blood out of our kids to enrich themselves. Because of the unions and Obamacare their taking Avastin away from 17,000 women with late-stage breast cancer and delabeling it . This means your girlfriends and wives and daughters won’t get to live as long as Nancy Pelosi as she sips her wine down in Napa valley with all of her pervert friends. If you don’t believe me do a web search on it and FDA decision. This is one of the reason I wrote this song “Teapartiers I can’t hear you” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJfboOindCo. Older Vets and citizens don’t let them do this to your wife and loved ones. Nancy Pelosi can afford and get Avastin if she needs it, she don’t care about you but the illegals that will get your healthcare and will vote for her.
Here’s a verse
Doctors are retiring earlier but we’re getting 17000 new IRS
This is how Obama creates health care jobs I guess
For 234 years this country’s been God’s blessing.
Now he’s following Cloward and Piven’s to bankrupt the country I’m guessing
If Obamacare gives Grandma and Grandpa a scare
Think how when their rationed and die earlier we’ll save on healthcare
Hey guys if you fought at Iwo or the Chosen
Report Post »when they stop giving your wife her meds and her last breath comes over her face
you’ll find comfort knowing Nancy’d gladly take her place.
PJPony
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 11:46pmThe FDA just took 500 allergy and cough/cold medications off the market, as well. Now when pollen season hits, people will have to go to the doctor and pay co-pays and prescription costs instead of buying them over the counter.
Report Post »JK71
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:29amI find it ironic that these guys are complaining on how fast the legislation is being rammed thru.
Report Post »What were they saying on Obamacare; my guess, not a peep…
Bushie
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:29amUnions, they help the takers, the lazy, and the problem employee. Kind of like how they helped barry the racist get elected.
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:27am“These are the values inspiring those brave workers in Poland … They remind us that where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.”
–Ronald Reagan, Labor Day Address at Liberty State Park, 1980 (HT: Pete Groff)
Report Post »teahugger
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:36amHe wasn’t refering to public sector unions…even FDR knew THAT wouldn’t be good for the country. Have all the free unions you want in the private sector, as long as they are voluntary.
Report Post »ccr
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:37amWas Reagan talking about the PUBLIC/GOV’T sector…….or the PRIVATE sector?
Unions……in the private sector………should be AVAILABLE, but NOT MANDATORY.
It would sure be great……and utopic……if we could all treat each other kindly and fairly so that unions weren’t “needed” anywhere. But………
Report Post »Non-sequitur
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:41am“It would sure be great……and utopic……if we could all treat each other kindly and fairly so that unions weren’t “needed” anywhere. But………”
… since we can’t we need Unions to take care of that and bargain on behalf of their workers.
Why should the public sector not have Unions? Do they not deserve fair wages and work environments?
Also, most people here are railing against all types of Unions. I just wanted to remind these people that even Reagan was pro Union.
Report Post »IAMMADDOG
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:47amReagan would NOT approve of today’s unions. They have outlived their usefulness and now need to go.
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:49amTypical lib. Take Reagan’s speech out of context. He was talking of private sector unions. We know how he felt about public unions and the air traffic controllers. Every time you lobs comment you stick your foot in your mouth.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:03amNon-sequitur, “Why should the public sector not have Unions?”
Report Post »Because the public sector unions are bargaining against the the tax payer, not a private employer.
gwinfrey
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 4:26pmHow them unions working to Poland now????
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:26amThese Unions – keep using the term “WORKING FAMILIES”………..is getting to be offensive – since non-union workers have families – as well – to support – along w supporting the working families of union members w their taxpayer money.
Taxes would not be so high – if unions did not exist.
Reminder: The “Working Families” party was busted for VOTE RIGGING in Troy, New York – when ACORN’s CEO Bertha Lewis – and leaders of the Democrat Party – submitted – or handled – forged and fraudulent absentee ballot votes – for the 2008 presidential election.
The Vote rigging scheme involved an employee of the Troy Housing Authority – providing the names of former tenants of the housing projects – who had vacated their apartments……..in which this method of vote rigging is suspected of being used – in every county, parish, city – in every state – across the USA – during the 2008 presidential election.
The listed address for the “Working Families Party” – happens to be the same address as ACORN’s headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. it was discovered in the investigation – the Working Families Party – is not a party at all – but another ACORN straw corporation……giving the distinct impression the Working Families Party is designed for Vote rigging.
****
In 2009, it was discovered that over 16 MILLION voter registrations were invalid, although some of these non-existent people – had voted – prior to – and during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Report Post »bhscpa
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 4:16pmIt must suck when your agenda for America is so despicable that they have to lie, cheat and deceive. The Democrats have been rolling around in the muck with the far left too long.
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:25amHere‘s hoping there’s more good news from Ohio! With 3 major cities and about 2 semi-major cities, I never thought we’d have a chance at turning her around. The tea party has worked hard, especially in Cincinnati. Thanks to everyone who wrote the reps, senators and Governor, keep it up!
Report Post »FREEDOMFIGHTERFORLIBERTY
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:19amTHIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING FOLKs.
Report Post »ricrhino
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:15amFinally, Progress!!
Report Post »Lesterp
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 3:05pmGood one!
Report Post »redbone007
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:14amWhile the protesters were sleeping in WI, Ohio passes their anti-union bill. Great job Ohio.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:00am“the Ohio bill could go as early as next week to House committee hearings” It’s not a done deal and the Dems will run like children just like they did in Wisconsin.
Report Post »hflndrs
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:13amHow can it be a good thing when you restrict what can or can’t be agreed on. Remember you’re restricting both the union and the state. The States need to negotiate better and implement morality and production clauses. This seems akin to driving roofing nails with a sledgehammer. When Government blankets a problem nothing good comes of it.
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:23amI forget who exactly said this, but it is so true:
Report Post »Government union negotiations are taxpayer paid government employees negotiating with another taxpayer paid government employee, on how much of YOUR taxpayer money one is going to give the other.
BSdetector
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:28amOh and I forgot to mention: The number always goes up. ALWAYS. Whoever is negotiating for us, has not a care in the world of other peoples’(our) money and just gives away the farm… EVERY year.
Report Post »Uncle Crusty
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:14amYou are not getting the overall picture here – let private unions have collective bargaining for wages only, they deal with management. The consequences of a botched contract would mean bankruptsy. As for public unions, they should not have collective bargain rights at all, they negotiate against the taxpayer! So to sum it up, that is an anti-trust violation. And with the Dems in charge they contracted sweet deals for their pub unions and broke the state bank – that happens when there is a downturn in the economy! We have to restore sanity, the middle class is NOT JUST UNION members, the majority are not as a matter of fact, and we PAY THEM! They now enjoy higher salaries and benefits than the private sector employee, that is NOT right!
democratgirl
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 3:25pmUncle Crusty:
Report Post »You are forgetting the most important element here and that is THEY ARE BARGAINING FOR WAGES WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. This is just plain wrong because WE, THE PEOPLE have no way to tell them how we feel, whether we agree with their demands or not. THAT IS WHY I am anti-union for government and public service employees!
redbone007
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:12amWe love you all in Ohio.
Report Post »teahugger
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:24amFor the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my State;) Go OHIO!!!!!
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:28amThank you from a patriot still behind enemy lines in the people’s republic of Cleveland. We just need to lop off the cancer that is NE Ohio.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:12amCalling it an “anti-union bill” doesn’t help. That’s why Deomocrats call it that. It’s a “Pro State Fiscal Responsibility Bill”.
Report Post »dawg of gawd
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 10:14amNo, it’s a pro big government bill.
Report Post »Lesterp
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:06amWell, that’s a step in the right direction!
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:05amCome on PA, you need to be next. Congrats to OH on actually being able to accomlish some headway.
Now the unions will turn Ohio inside out and make an example of her because they will cry like little babies and throw their temper tantrums. God help Ohio.
Report Post »cripplecreek
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:11amMichigan ended forced unionization of some 12,000+ home child care workers the other day. Hopefully home health care workers will be next.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 12:03pmI’ll take my tax money and buy a plow for my truck….
Report Post »NewBee
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:04amAmen!
Report Post »-KACK-
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:04amit was only a matter of time. the practice of unions is not sustainable. pensions without at least 50% contributed by the employee is just a ponzi scheme.
Report Post »mamawalker
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:28amAmen! It is amazing how they were all over Bernie and the rest of Wall Street but refuse to accept the truth that they are just as guilty!
Report Post »Tnredneck
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:41amI think the unions should have to contribute to my health and welfare since I am the one that is taxed and contribute to theirs. Or better yet just confiscate all of their retirement funds and give it to Michael Moore since he thinks it’s a natural resorce
GeneralBeasley
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:04amoh yea unions take that and that and some of this!
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:29amThey didn‘t need the Democrats in Ohio or I’m sure the Democrats would have run away there as well. The new campaign slogan for the Democrats should be; when to going gets tough, the Democrats leave the state. Has a nice ring to it.
http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the Society in Decline video
Miami
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:32amOne down three to go Wis. NJ. Ind.
Report Post »Stuck_in_CA
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:38amYES!!!
Report Post »One thing the opposition cannot disagree on — what they’ve been doing, isn’t working. It’s been in a death spiral, and MUST be dealt with NATIONALLY.
ETOOL USMC RECON
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 7:42amAdd PA and The Peoples Republik of NY too!
Report Post »Miami
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:02amHOORAH
True that PA is a toss up but NY is a long shot
Report Post »CaptainKook
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:08amIg the Republicans really want to kill the unions they should repeal the First Amendment to the Constitution – by long precedent it guarantees the right to free association and that includes forming unions
Right of Association
”It is beyond debate that freedom to engage in association for the advancement of beliefs and ideas is an inseparable aspect of the ‘liberty’ assured by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which embraces freedom of speech. . . . Of course, it is immaterial whether the beliefs sought to be advanced by association pertain to political, economic, religious or cultural matters, and state action which may have the effect of curtailing the freedom to associate is subject to the closest scrutiny.”
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment01/12.html
grandmaof5
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:17amI am still amazed that unions see the problem but don’t see themselves as part of the problem, especially with the unemployment in OH. I guess it goes back to the teachers because this is simple math and union members don’t seem to be getting it. Maybe they need to demand that the union boss’ open the books and give the members an accounting of where their dues goes, both books as they probably keep two sets, something Obama is good at doing. They probably teach that at community organizing school.
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:20amI heard representatives from the police union crying and whining over this bill on the radio (WTAM).
I was laughing the entire time.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:22am@captainkook,
Which 1st amendment are you reading?
1st amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:25amI always get a good chuckle out of people like Captainkook who somehow illogically try and tie the Unions to some mysterious rights out of the Constitution being denied by the Wisconsin Bill.
Here is a clue for you Captain: A. The “Right” to collective bargain is not in the Constitution. B. The “Right” to assembly peacefully (which the Union Thugs have not been peaceful) is not being denied – the mobs are out everywhere in just about every State. C. The “Right” to join a Union has not been denied – though the WI State Workers somehow have been denied the “RIGHT” to not join the Union and keep their jobs by the Unions!! (Hypocrite)
Now go back to blowing Trumka’s johnson – your chance of an education from a Union Teacher was denied by the Unions long ago….
Report Post »HappyStretchedThin
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:31amCaptain, you really ARE a Kook.
Report Post »No one is taking away ANYONE’S right to assemble, or even to organize (which are DIFFERENT, you must admit).
What Ohio IS doing is putting unions BACK on a level playing field with the private sector AND ensuring the LOCAL govts don’t have to deal with the HUGE leverage state-wide unions unfairly bring to bear on them.
Ironmaan
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:41amIt’s not an anti-union bill, it’s a fiscal sanity bill!
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
CaptainKook
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:43amI posted that link hoping some of you would read it.
Report Post »The First Amendment – THROUGH LONG PRECEDENT – has been ruled to include the right to form associations – that includes unions, churches, political parties etc
Cemoto78
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:50amExcellent Ohio. Here comes “WE the People”.
Report Post »CaptainKook
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:51am”We need not, in order to find constitutional protection for the kind of cooperative, organizational activity disclosed by this record, whereby Negroes seek through lawful means to achieve legitimate political ends, subsume such activity under a narrow, literal conception of freedom of speech, petition or assembly. For there is no longer any doubt that the First and Fourteenth Amendments protect certain forms of orderly group activity.” 206
This decision was followed in three subsequent cases in which the Court held that labor unions enjoyed First Amendment protection in assisting their members in pursuing their legal remedies to recover for injuries and other actions.
In the first case, the union advised members to seek legal advice before settling injury claims and recommended particular attorneys; 207
in the second the union retained attorneys on a salary basis to represent members; 208
in the third, the union maintained a legal counsel department which recommended certain attorneys who would charge a limited portion of the recovery and which defrayed the cost of getting clients together with attorneys and of investigation of accidents. 209 Wrote Justice Black: ”[T]he First Amendment guarantees of free speech, petition, and assembly give railroad workers the rights to cooperate in helping and advising one another in asserting their rights. . . .” 210
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment01/12.html
Report Post »joseph mitch nixon
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:51amtoday the unions are not for people are for the bosses in bed with the democrats – being a democrat is a metal condition – and screw the people .
Report Post »i been teamster – being forced to be – for 30 years , they never ever din anything for me .
Silversmith
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:55am@Captainkook I don’t see the right to “collective bargaining” anywhere the first amendment.
Silversmith
Report Post »CaptainKook
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 8:59am@ Silversmith
Report Post »You also don‘t see the right for media pundits to lie through their teeth either but it’s actually one of their First Amendment rights.
oldoldtimer
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:03amHow can you call it collective bargaining when the unions are electing the very people they are bargaining with. Talk about conflict of interest. Is it any wonder the unions get so many benefites not available to the average worknig person? Dems should recluse themselves from any votes with union issues since thos same unions paid for their campaign and furnished voters for them.
Report Post »jblaze
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:16amWhen Palin “resigned” from her Governorship and for good reason, the Dems yelled, screamed and cried that she ran away! But, it‘s OK if you’re a Dem and you still hold your position and run away leaving your constituents holding the bag! Sick of the Dems hypocrisy and lies!
Report Post »CaptainKook
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:21am@ oldoldtimer
UNIONS don’t elect anybody – the voters do.
Report Post »If you want to ban unions from participating in politics you’ll have to ban corporations too – but as you may know the Supreme Court has ruled that both may do so.
ishka4me
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:26ammost of us do not disagree with unions representing miners for working or safety conditions. But what unions have become is a political money laundering operation. Even those of us who belong to unions are angered by our unions politics. when we see our dues going to the democrats to elect the most radical leftists, it hurts.
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:26am@ Mace,
Are you a Clevelander?
Report Post »CaptainKook
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:32am@ ishka4me
Unions are a money-laundering operation?
Report Post »Like I said – the media pundits you listen to have a First Amendment right to lie to you.
Rush included.
montanamadman
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:55amthank god
Report Post »Silent_Majority
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:55amTennessee will be next. There are a lot of people out state here speaking against it, however all of us from here are for it, naturally I have not spoken to everyone in the state, but everyone that I have spoken to is for it.
http://www.talknerdy.net
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 9:56am1 down…Roll On!
Report Post »rgranger
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 10:23amCapitan,
Report Post »The problem with public unions is that they force others to give to a political view that they are against and then use that money to elect Representatives that they are against and then bargain with the representatives that they just had elected. If you can take out the bribes, kickbacks and forced collection of funds from those opposed to your views….then I don’t see a problem. Poorly worded, but I think you can get the just of it.
gobluebuckeye
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 10:45amI am so proud of my home State of Ohio right now, and I feel like I finally voted for a Governor that is doing what I was hoping he would do. This is just the first step in many battles to come, and we must not back down or lose steam. The Socialist are going to be fighting like its 1917.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 10:48amUH DUH as an Ohioan:
350,000+ public employees multiplied by $50,000 average pay and benifits (actually 52,000) equals $17,500,000,000.
seventeen BILLION dollars annually for the combined State,Counties,cities,townships, Municipalities, and sundry employee payrolls. That is eight hundred dollars for every human in Ohio (22 million roughly). now what percentage of those actually pay the taxes?
YES this is most definitely a large part of Ohio’s budget troubles.
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 11:01amThank God! And, Way To Go Ohio!
Report Post »Sinista Mace
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 11:19amBorn and raised in Cleveland
Report Post »just the facts
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 11:32am@ captiankook
Give it up sir. Your doing exactly what the progressive party does so well and that’s twist the words with inaccurate information. The unions, and many of us realized this 30 – 40 – 50 years ago are an organized method of money laundering. They, the unions now, are definitely not what the original formation of the unions are/were meant to be or represent. Throughout the years, if one examines them, a mafia/socialistic atmosphere emerged to what they are today. I have nothing against the unions per se, but do not hold the nonunion individual responsible for paying for something that they will never ever see the benefits.from, aka the union members so called entitlements.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 12:04pmI’m thrilled that these changes are going into effect immediately. These Republican governors, who have the guts to take on unions, will be showing big gains in thier states’ deficits by the time 2012 elections roll around. Hopefully job numbers in these states will be on the upswing as well by then. Solid examples of fiscal responsibility will be a big boost for Republicans heading into the next election season! Let’s see the unions whine and complain when these states actually do make significant improvement within the next couple years.
Report Post »My Two Cents
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 12:15pmI would like to know if Columbus Police Sgt. Shaun Laird and Columbus firefighter Terry Marsh were equally opposed to Obamacare being rammed through.
Report Post »glennbeckisstooopid
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 12:42pmHear comes another Gov. recall. That guy just signed his resignation papers.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 1:48pmHuzzah for my home state of Ohio!
The sniveling going on here, on the FM radio and news, is astounding. No matter how many interviews are done, the protesters always come off as a bunch of sneering children.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 2:03pm@CaptainKook
“I posted that link hoping some of you would read it.
The First Amendment – THROUGH LONG PRECEDENT – has been ruled to include the right to form associations – that includes unions, churches, political parties etc”
The right to association does not mean you get to compel people to associate with you however. I adore the “right to association” argument of the Left, would you like to engage me further so I can deconstruct it for you detail by detail? :)
Report Post »DirectlyUnPCman
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 2:23pmGo Ohio!!
Report Post »proudinfidel54
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 2:56pmI wondered how long it would take “THE KOOK” to drag race into the debate…lol
Report Post »Sergio Q
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 3:01pmI hope to see the day when ALL unions are shattered ,busted then banned!
Report Post »=-)
Navyveteran
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 3:06pmI love it while everyone’s attention is in WI, Ohio rope a dopes the unions! Finally we use some of their tactics on them, I hope other states do the same thing!
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 3:21pmWhile I agree with a few of you that unions have a right to exist, I also believe that if someone does NOT want to be in that union, or they don’t want to pay those union dues (RIGHT TO WORK LAW IN SOME STATES) THEN they should not have to, so turnabout is fair play here. However, I also believe that GOVERNMENT and PUBLIC SERVICE workers should have NO UNIONS AT ALL. They serve ALL TAXPAYING AMERICANS, OR, WE THE PEOPLE and it is our taxes that pay them and WE, THE PEOPLE don’t seem to have a say in anything they do, especially if the politician that is in the unions’ pocket, is a Democrat or someone who is PRO-UNION. Unions have gotten way out of hand. I think leaders like Trumpka should be brought up on charges of EXTORTION for making people pay union dues when they don’t want to. So, tell me unions in the government and public sectors, why is it that we have no say in bargaining, when WE, THE PEOPLE pay your salaries? Tell me how fair that is? You just want to suck up all our money and then complain IT IS NOT ENOUGH. The perks and retirement you get, at our expense, IS OBSCENE.
Something HAS GOT TO CHANGE IN THIS COUNTRY. It is not so much the greed of the wealthy, but the GREED OF GOVERNMENT AND ITS PUBLIC SERVANTS. I’d like to fire them all and start over.
democratgirl
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 3:22pmWhat would happen if the Military men and women decided to form a union? How is that different than Government or public service employees???????????? Someone explain that to me.
avenger
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 4:27pmI love it…stop the frigging public union thieves…
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on March 3, 2011 at 10:56pm@CAPTKOOK
The right to free association has nothing to do with anything. Unions don’t have to be busted. Morons should be free to belong to a union if they so desire. What’s illegal and unconstitutional and destroying our country is “unionized shops” and “unionized industries”. A business should be under no obligation to hire union workers, and somebody that doesn‘t want to join a union shouldn’t be forced to just because the other people that work there were stupid enough to.
If unions weren’t allowed to force membership (or just take the money as if you were without actually granting you membership) they would fail by themselves like they have in the private sector. Private sector unions are almost non existent because honest hardworking people realized that their sole purpose is to protect the incompetent.
Report Post »*************************
Posted on March 5, 2011 at 2:10amA new Union sign:
“PLEASE DON’T MAKE ME REGRET BECOMING A COMMUNIST”
sheriff BART: “Go for your gun.”
Report Post »HEDLEY LAMARR: “Wait, wait, wait. I’m unarmed.”
sheriff BART [throws down his guns]: “Alright. We’ll settle this like men … with our fists.”
HEDLEY LAMARR [pulls out a derringer]: “Sorry, I just remembered … I am armed.”
-Blazing Saddles