Ohio labor supporters cheer as Maine legislative committee defeats Right to Work push

Union leaders in Ohio continue to monitor Right to Work developments around the nation
(PR NewsChannel) / May 12, 2015 / COLUMBUS, Ohio 

Workplace Freedom OhioIt’s a victory for unions in Maine over Right to Work and leaders here in Ohio are rejoicing.

In Maine last week, lawmakers on the state legislature’s labor committee voted to reject an upcoming Right to Work bill that would allow employees benefitting from collective bargaining to opt out of paying unions for the services.

In a 7-6 vote that followed party lines, with the lone independent member voting against, the committee recommended the state legislature kill the bill, which is expected to happen.

In Ohio, a state that’s had its own battles with the controversial anti-union legislation, labor leaders are praising the efforts of Maine’s legislature.

“This is an important first step in making sure Right to Work doesn’t expand to a new region,” said Pat Sink, Ohio’s International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18’s business manager. “In order for these bills to not get a foothold, it’s important for them to be stopped as early and often as possible.”

In advance of last week’s vote, labor supporters across the state spoke out against the Republican’s efforts to make Maine the latest Right to Work state.

Even with Democrats in control of the Maine House and strongly against the legislation, opponents of the bills still voiced their displeasure by lining the halls of the State House and lobbying lawmakers against the bill.

It was a show of solidarity that didn’t go unnoticed in other battleground states.

“As union members demonstrated in Maine, the diligence and determination of labor supporters can’t be overstated,” said Sink. “At the end of the day, we’re all ordinary people who are just looking out for what’s best for our fellow workers.”

Opponents of the recent Ohio Right to Work effort, including the “Workplace Freedom” bills, contend that the initiative’s true purpose is to kill unions and worker protections, ultimately leading to a weaker middle class.

By stripping workers of their rights and freedoms, business owners would be free to lower worker pay, reduce worker benefits and ignore worker rights.

Whether Republicans call it “Paycheck Protection,” “Workplace Freedom” or Right to Work, opponents of the efforts remain dedicated to ensuring the voting public knows the underlying nature behind the GOP’s divisive agenda.

Direct link:  https://prnewschannel.com/2015/05/12/ohio-labor-supporters-cheer-as-maine-legislative-committee-defeats-right-to-work-push/

SOURCE:  Keep Ohio's Heritage


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