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Politics & Government

Voices From the Rally

Opponents of Senate Bill 5 offer their thoughts on the issue

Erol Sommer, teacher, Indepedence -- “Gov. John Kasich is taking food off my table. Senate Bill 5 is going to impact my family and my ability to earn a wage. I’ve arranged  my career, planned my life, thought I’d have a union to protect me, he’s taking away all of that … I think it’s a shame. I think people died for this country, in part, for union rights. The government shouldn’t be stepping in and overriding things we’ve already negotiated.”

Christine Canning, teacher, Strongsville -- “We’re the teachers of children, we’re the builders of homes, we’re the protectors of communities. We need support too. We shouldn’t be the only ones facing these funding cuts and constrictions. The bigger question is: How can we all contribute the best way we can to help rebuild our economy?”

Paul Shymske, bricklayer, Brunswick -- “We want to work. We want to have a future—a future for our children. If we don’t earn a decent wage, if we don’t have our benefits, it’s going to make it too tough to make ends meet and it’s tough enough already.”

Steven Lucas, Strongsville employee-Union Steward for Teamsters Local 52, Strongsville -- “Senate Bill 5 takes away our collective bargaining rights and collective bargaining rights are human rights. Public employees didn’t cause the problem in Ohio. We’ve already made concessions and now it’s time for the government to make concessions.”

Lee Meyer, chief engineer, Cleveland -- “The government has been pointing the finger at unions for too long, and I think they’re just trying to get rid of them now. I think the unions are the only real hope that Americans have to earn a good, stable living.”

Rich Yowler, North Olmsted municipal worker, LaGrange -- “The unions impact more than just the cities. It really spreads out into the wider job markets because non-union workers are earning pay that’s comparable to union workers. Unions keep salaries competitive, whether you’re in a union or not. What do you think will happen if unions lose major pieces of their collective bargaining rights? Everyone will suffer, except for the (Ohio) legislators.”

Mark Mathes, truck driver, Middleburg Heights -- “Senate Bill 5 isn’t about balancing the budget, it’s about busting the unions. It’s about weakening the middle class. You can trace this back to Wall Street, you can trace this back to deregulation. You look at the tax breaks for corporations, the loopholes, at some point it’s got to stop. Republicans are screaming socialism, and we’re screaming right back. Hopefully, the people will hear us and not the legislators.”

Dennis Harczik, electrician, Strongsville -- “I think the state government is misguided. I think that Gov. Kasich and his legislators ought to learn some economics lessons, particularly the velocity of money theory as it applies to the spreading around of wealth. If our wages are tampered with, we won’t be able to spend money and support our small businesses and we all know how much big government loves small business. If Kasich brings us down, we won’t be the only ones struggling to keep our heads above water.”

Scott Davis, airline pilot, Medina -- “I believe that this union busting bill is bad for the communities of Ohio. Not only will it destroy our local community members but our small businesses as well ... Senate Bill 5 is merely a short-term solution for a long-term problem. As someone who flies people in and out of Ohio on a regular basis, I think that measures like this will make it less and less of a desirable place to visit, live and raise a family.”

Wynne Antonio, retired teacher, Lakewood -- “We’re in a fight for our lives for the working class, and I’m just amazed at how many people really get it that our whole economy is on the line. However, Senate Bill 5 is not the answer because it affects working conditions for teachers, which directly affects students. We have caps by collective bargaining on how many students are in a class so that we can do an adequate job, and with no caps we’ll be back to having over 40 students per class and that’s simply unacceptable.”

Graylon Keeton, RTA field supervisor, Cleveland Heights -- “I’m here to help kill this bill. I’m a member of a union, and it’s the unions who picked us workers up by our boot straps and allowed us to provide for our families. The majority of us are democrats, and, in my opinion, we’re a strong part of the democratic base. Republicans see that, and we’re under attack.”

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