This election affirms that Ohioans believe in the in the collective bargaining process and workers’ rights. Never before has collective bargaining rights been upheld at the ballot box. Today, we proved that Ohioans will not stand for attacks on the middle class as a solution to the challenges Ohio faces.
Tens of thousands of Ohioans came together in an unprecedented grassroots movement to repeal John Kasich’s signature piece of legislation. This election sends a message that we will not stand for attacks on workers. Tonight, we proved that the power of democracy is stronger than any one politician. Our message will echo throughout state houses across the country and make those anti-worker politicians think again before they come after the middle class.
This was not an easy process and is worth reflecting back on how many obstacles we overcame to get to today. Ten months ago, our sisters and brothers were locked out of the state house, denied the right to speak during committee votes, and thousands of people were ignored during some of the biggest protests Ohio has ever seen. We did not let this stop us. We put together a citizen’s veto collecting nearly 1.3 million signatures to place Senate Bill 5 on the ballot.
Today, Ohio spoke loud and clear to John Kasich and his allies. The Ohio State House is the people’s house and we will be heard. This has been a long journey to tonight and many people deserve recognition for the countless hours spent knocking on doors, making phone calls, and getting the word out to friends and family on why Senate Bill 5 was unfair, unsafe, and bad for Ohio.
Our own Fight For a Fair Economy played an integral role in making sure we won this fight. They knocked on over 250,000 doors, talked to over 1000,000 Ohioans and collected over 25,000 vote by mail forms. Without their hard work and all of our members, this victory would not be possible.
Tonight we celebrate this historic win. Tomorrow, we get back to work knowing that this is just one battle of many in the war on workers. We will fight for workers’ rights until every worker has a good paying job with good benefits. We will fight until we see economic and social justice throughout this country.
You Ohioans are awesome!!!!!!!