Ohio Governor John Kasich and state Republicans are pushing through a bill attacking the collective bargaining rights of Ohio public sector workers. The legislation, Senate Bill 5, has already passed the state senate and is now in committee hearings before going for a final vote in the state house of representatives.
This letter was sent to Gov. Kasich voicing CUPE’s opposition to this bill, and the attacks on public sector workers.
Governor John Kasich:
On behalf of the over 600,000 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), we are writing to register our complete opposition to your government’s move to strip Ohio public employees of their free collective bargaining rights through Senate Bill 5.
Delegates to the CUPE Saskatchewan Division Convention, currently underway in Regina, SK, are deeply concerned over this assault on the fundamental rights of their public service union brothers and sisters in your state.
The United States is signatory to many International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, which affirm the rights of workers to belong to unions and to engage in free collective bargaining, as an appropriate mechanism to determine wages and benefits and working conditions.
To strip away these fundamental rights from Ohio’s dedicated public workers is unjustified, unwarranted, and just plain wrong. We appeal to you to reconsider this legislation.
In the current difficult economic situation facing the United States public services are more important than ever to the people of Ohio. This draconian legislation not only hurts your public workers, it harms the community at large, and especially families in need.
True leadership is based on respect and a desire to protect the best interests of all citizens. We urge to withdraw Senate Bill 5 and work with your public workers to find a mutually beneficial solution to your states financial problems.
Yours Truly,
Paul Moist
National President
Claude Généreux
National Secretary- Treasurer
Tom Graham
CUPE Saskatchewan President