ODP Weekly Update: Celebrating Our Friends in Labor
As hard-working Ohioans enjoy a long Labor Day weekend, Ohio Democrats are in every corner of the state walking in parades and focused on fighting for fair wages, good benefits and safe working conditions.
In honor of Labor Day, we’d like to highlight just a few of the biggest accomplishments of our friends in labor and some favorite quotes as we look toward electing Democrats this November and creating a brighter future for everyday Ohioans.
Passage of the Social Security Act (1935)
This New Deal legislation provided workers with unemployment insurance, aid to dependent children and rehabilitation for the physically disabled. It also improved public health and provided pensions to workers in their old age.
National Labor Relations Act (1935)
Also known as the “Wagner Act,” this law served as the foundation for current U.S. labor law, granting unions the right to organize and obligating employers to bargain collectively on hours, wages and other terms and conditions of employment. The NLRA has been used to secure collective bargaining rights for workers across the country.
Civil Rights Act/Title VII (1964)
This landmark legislation prohibited discrimination by employers or unions on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion or gender. Organized labor’s unprecedented growth in the ’60s and ’70s was due in large measure to unions’ reputation for fighting for fair treatment for all workers, but particularly minorities.
Public Sector Organizing (1962–1980)
In 1962, President Kennedy signed Executive Order 10988, which recognized the rights of federal employees to join unions. This order spearheaded the rapid expansion of all public sector organizing.
Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)
The FLSA granted sweeping protections to workers — establishing a minimum wage (25 cents an hour) and the 8-hour work day, providing for overtime, and prohibiting the use of child labor in all businesses engaged in interstate commerce. Despite breaking important ground, the FLSA excluded large numbers of workers, not the least of whom were public service workers.
This Labor Day weekend, remember to shop where they support workers rights!
OHIO COMMISSION ON WOMEN AND GIRLS
On Tuesday, Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate Betty Sutton discussed with women and advocates her proposed Violence Against Women policy, and opened up about her experience with domestic violence nearly three decades ago.
During the event, Betty recounted how her ex-husband abused her in the early 1990s, and how that experience has impacted her life in public service. Betty also discussed her hope that by sharing her experience, more victims of domestic abuse will come forward and seek justice.
Betty’s policy proposals include creating an office within the Commission on Women and Girls to end workplace sexual harassment, making it easier to report sexual harassment in a safe and confidential way, and expanding access to resources that help women and children through trauma.
SPACE UNVEILS ‘WORKING FAMILIES FIRST’ PLAN
On Monday, former U.S. Congressman and Democratic nominee for Ohio Auditor of State Zack Space announced his ‘Working Families First’ plan in press conferences at United Steelworkers halls in Warren and Martins Ferry.
The plan calls for a series of aggressive investigations into the effects of the NAFTA-era free trade agenda on Ohio’s working families and local communities.
Space was joined in Warren by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, State Senator Joe Schiavoni, and state Rep. John Boccieri. In Martins Ferry, Space was joined by Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga, State Rep. Jack Cera, and United Mine Workers Ohio Coordinator Larry Ward.
WTOV: Labor unions, politicians talk local trade impact in Martins Ferry
“These trade deals have caused a lot of people to lose their jobs or force people into jobs that aren’t nearly as good paying without the benefits,” Space said.
Space went on to say that 250,000 jobs have been lost. That also impacts revenue in the communities.
“The ability to staff fire and police, ability to fund schools, fix roads, deal with the opioid epidemic, we have all kinds of challenges made worse by policymakers in Columbus,” Space said. “Our general assembly has decided to take more money away from our communities so they can give tax breaks to wealthy Ohioans.”
Space is hoping to investigate that and help eastern Ohio as labor unions are seeking change.
“I believe the state of Ohio should have an office that studies this, provides info to the general assembly and the policymakers and do something about it,” Space said.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL ‘CHARTERGATE’ TOUR CONTINUES
Ohio Democrats gathered at a variety of events in Northern Ohio throughout the week to highlight the ECOT ‘Chartergate’ scandal and how many millions were bilked from school districts in each county in the state.
The ODP has launched a new tool at OhioDems.org/ECOT to show county-by-county exactly how much public money was ripped off and what that money could have paid for instead.
WWGH (Download mp3): “Now” with Scott Spears featuring ODP Chairman David Pepper: ECOT took nearly $2 million from Marion County public schools
WNWO: Ohio Dems Highlight Nearly $2 Million ECOT Took from Sandusky County Schools
WKBN: Local Democrats call for action against ECOT
Several state and local Democratic candidates are calling for action against ECOT, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow.
It was an online charter school, which had to permanently close after the Department of Education ruled that it owed the state around $80 million.
The closure left around 12,000 students without a school in January of 2017, and more than 2,000 of those students were graduating seniors.
ECOT posted a statement on its website in opposition to the ruling after the closure.
Democrats called ECOT one of the biggest scams in Ohio.
“We’ve lost a decade of education for our kids. As [Ohio Democratic Party] Chairman [David] Pepper said, our public schools have been struggling because of the lack of funding because all of the resources have been going to and is for-profit enterprises in public education,” said Sen. Joe Schiavoni, D-33rd District.
YOUR HEALTH CARE IS ON THE BALLOT
Ohio Democrats are fully committed to making sure Ohioans have access to affordable health care, and are continuing to fight to make sure that isn’t taken away. Chairman Pepper joined candidates in Lorain County on Wednesday to remind voters that your health care is on the ballot.
From the Lorain Morning Journal:
The Ohio Democratic Party held a news conference Aug. 29 in front of Elyria City Hall to talk about the issue of health care.
“This conference is being held as a way to remind everyone that the most important thing on the ballot for voters is health care,” said Chairman David Pepper. “There are a lot of issues and investigations going on nationally and statewide, but we decided to hold this conference to focus on what is the prime concern for a lot of voters.”
Pepper said health care is the main focus of the Democratic Party.
“I feel our party understands the needs the people are facing everyday,” he said. “We want the need of health care to be filled for our citizens and make it more accessible. We have a great group of candidates representing this area of Ohio, and they are all for making affordable health care a reality for the people of Lorain County.”
Janet Garrett, candidate for U.S. Congress in Ohio’s 4th District, said health care is always on the ballot.
“It will not be plainly stated, but you are voting for your health care rights in the next election,” she said. “The issue, on the ballot, will take the form of the Democratic Party who is in favor of providing care for Alzheimer’s patients and health care clinics right here in Elyria. The people who are currently in charge are not getting it done.”
Sharon Sweda, candidate for Ohio Senate District 13, said the cost of health care is too much.
“I had a constituent from Avon call me and say she is having a tough time finding a job, and health care is another burdens she has to endure,” she said. “This is true for so many who live in this area, we need to fix this problem. The solution is on the ballot; we will fight for health care availability for our citizens.”
Vice President Mike Pence said this week that if the GOP wins in November, they will renew their efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, making it all the more important to put a check on their power by electing Democrats this November.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tuesday, Sept. 4 — Ottawa County Blue Cocktail Hour
- Tuesday, Sept. 4 — Franklin County Treasurer’s Office Art Exhibit Opening Reception with Cheryl Brooks Sullivan
- Tuesday, Sept. 4 — WAO ‘Right-to-work’ Is Wrong Geauga West Public Library
- Thursday, Sept. 6 — WAO ‘Right-to-work’ Is Wrong Montgomery County
- Saturday, Sept. 8 — Medina Democratic Club Picnic
- Monday, Sept. 10 — League of Women Voters of Greater Dayton Meeting in Miamisburg
- Thursday, Sept. 13 — Grab ’Em By the Midterms Rally in Cleveland
- Friday, Sept. 14 — Women and Youth Empower Ohio Kickoff in Columbus
- Tuesday, Sept. 18 — Montgomery County Blue Cocktail Hour
- Wednesday Sept. 19 — Hardin and Hancock Blue Cocktail Hour
PODCAST: MICHAEL STINZIANO
On this week’s Ohio Democratic Podcast we had a quick chat with Michael Stinziano, candidate for Franklin County Auditor. Michael is running for Franklin County Auditor because he believes government should watch its money as closely as you do. Technology has changed the way we spend, but government has not kept up — and certainly has not gotten much better when it comes to spending our dollars efficiently.
