Ohio could beat Wisconsin in passing anti-labor legislation. NBC News reports that a bill to take away collective bargaining rights from 350,000 workers in Ohio has passed the state Senate. Now it’s heading to Gov. Kasich’s desk.
AP
Ohio Gov. John Kasich
Tune in at 10 to for more about the attack on the middle class in Ohio.
Leave a Comment:
I can't waite to sign the referendum towards this bill! I wish at the same time we could impeach Kasich! I'm very worried for all Ohio union workers and all union Americans. I have personal family members who fought for these unions to even exist and to see what has happened with this sickness that has developed in the country makes me very concerned ! It angers me it frustrates me and I don't even have union representation. I've been self employed all my life.
Same here Elaine. I'm just a boy from the bayou making my own way to. We have to keep up doing what we can. Millions of freeloaders rely on us... keep on keeping on.
BayouBo you mean the oil industry execs and the Koch's.
It's time to purge this cancer once and for all.
Unions are a cancer that has eaten our workforce from the inside out....for DECADES.
Union MEMBERS are so sick with this "disease" of DEPENDENCY...that they have no idea what SELF SUFFICIENCY even feels like.
Pathetically sad lot to be in....and a MINORITY at that!!!
You people need to give up your addiction and join the rest of us who support ourselves.
Give it a chance. You will probably have to work a little harder...but hey, you will be stunned when you get over the "withdrawal symptoms" and learn to stand on YOUR OWN two feet...and finally live UNION FREE!!!
And emotionally healthy too.
Elaine - way to go! Lets get rid of all those fat cats who create jobs so we can have only state employees in a civil servant only state!
I'm not surpised this was passed...i waiting to see an actually jobs bill that was promised
Promises on the Ohio hill are like pawns on a Portuguese checker board. It just don't work out if you know what I'm saying!
Ed purposedly mislead you on this topic by calling it an "Anti Labor" bill. The fact of the matter is that the bill only examines the collective bargaining rights of PUBLIC sector employees that draw their salary and benefits from the state budget, which is funded by middle class tax payers. The labor unions have pushed too far, which led to teachers and other public employees receiving excessive salaries and benefits on average that are much higher than their private sector counterparts; the people they work for. Where is this an attack on PRIVATE unions? I'm not seeing it. So if they are attacking private unions, can someone please show me where? The public sector labor unions have become too greedy and power hungry.
Nothing cures greed more than failure. Too bad the boys and girls on the hill aren't willing to let someone lay in the bed they made.
Clearly the bill is directed specifically at public Union workers. Why not accept public union employee concessons? Did they not offer they would work with the governor? Who is the hardliner and who is the team player? Looking forward to upcoming elections. I've heard from many who voted Republican who are burning mad at them for attacking workers. The Republican party may have really done it this time. Looks like they unleashed voter wrath unlike any other time in the past. They obviously don't care about the largest segment of our nation's population? Workers who will make sure everyone is registered and informed to vote.
Private union membership was once on par with the number of unions in the public sector. And they were good enough to bring America out of the Great Depression with the expansion of the manufacturing sector during and after WW2. But since Reagan private unions have been busted and jobs sent overseas or filled with busloads of undocumented Mexicans. Now conservatives want to do with the public unions what has been done with private unions. And this is a good for America, how exactly? Maybe we can privatize public union jobs the way Bush tried to privatize American port security when he tried to contract out to that outfit in Dubai!
What legislation did Reagan sign into law that "busted" private unions? Reagan fired striking Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) workers when they went on strike in 1981 violating a law {5 U.S.C. (Supp. III 1956) 118p.} that banned strikes by government unions. They had to meet civil service clauses.
Many states are "Right to Work" states, which are prospering to include their labor force. Democrats and labor union leaders 'try' to paint Republicans as "anti-union" - but as you know, nothing is 'black and white' - no absolutes. Can we drop the rhetoric and provide some facts? Where are Republicans - in any state - attempting to crush private unions and impact their collective bargaining rights?
To greedy and powerful best laugh I had in ages.
Have you seen how the top 2% of the wealthly have been doing lately. They have collective bargaining they can buy. Their bargaining system is called Washington Lobbists and RepubliCON politicians.
Amen!
Private unions constitute only 7.2 % of the labor force now. Attempting to crush? No. Crushed. Public employment is the only bastion of unionism LEFT. Where unions were busted, jobs were exported or immigrants brought in. How is this good for Americans?
What about the politician salary . Their salary are way to high. Will they do anything about theirs. I think not . Two face SOB. Take your comment and shove it where you wipe.
and after they destroy the unions who is next? eliminate minimum wage? national right to work state ? work until seventy? any one in the public sector who does not think it will effect them is delusional. unions stopped child labor .now people are competing for jobs with there own kids . created 40 hr work week a thing called a weekend , health and safety. OSHA ,seniority i guess a now a older worker making 40 k should be replaced with a young worker making 20k and the private sector is all rightwith that. good luck union wages set the bar on nonunion wages a good example is the auto workers nonunion gets around 3 to 4 dollars an hour less than a union shop in the 1990s union wages were around 21dollars and hour nonunion were around 18 an hour . now the big three pay 14dollars and what do you think a nonunion shop pays around 10 or 11 the jobs the republicans promise will come back if they have their way when the country is all making minimum wage. but they also want to eliminate that also good luck to your kids and grand kids
Wheww DC. You're as fired up as a lighting bolt in a bottle of Benadryl. But I like you're fire. Reminds me a me when I was younger just making my way ranglin gators on my own. See, the problem is though that when you're ranglin gators on your own without the union, you don't have any protection. Like you said, the union offers great benefits that justify the mandatory dues. Heck, I would gladly give more to my gator boss cause I know he would treat me right. See, so like you said, the unions are the ones that need some experience with failure. I couldn't have said it better myself. I like you DC.
well BO since you are so much older and wiser good luck washing down that cat food with your fox news Kool-Aid when the republicans get finished with even you too sir
The labor unions have pushed too far, which led to teachers and other public employees receiving excessive salaries and benefits on average that are much higher than their private sector counterparts
LOL
yea right paid to much. need to at lease maybe do some of your own thinking and checking.
I have family that are teachers and fortunately, she's a Republican conservative, but has to listen to the socialist BS that comes from the administration and teachers unions that talk about POWER and not making the children a priority. Perhaps you need to 'lease' some time on Google video and hear it in their own words (the NEA) to understand. I think its the 'least' you can do.
I'll even help you out. Search on "Teachers Union Bigshot Not About Kids, It's About Power"
Unions busted themselves, huh?
LOL!
THEY got too greedy over the years!
The piper has come for his pay!
it sure looks like the republicans are baiting us into a civil war,,why else did they pass all those marshall laws into effect,they are trying to beat us down with no jobs,forclose on our houses so that we are on the streets,spraying the air with aluminum and barium to destroy our crops,,i mean come on now,,WTF is really going on,,whats rex 84 and all these fema camps and millions of coffins for?ya,all better get with god,right your wrongs and kick back and watch whatever is going to happen.its not going to be good whatever is going on
OMG . . . I cannot believe you said it !! What is behind all of this ( in addition to decimating the middle class so the ruling elite will have people desperate enough to serve them their coffee while earning $3 per hour ) is a race war / civil war . . . they have been setting us at each others' throats for 30 years now so we won't notice them rip off our taxes and send jobs over seas and destroying the middle class. . . then they declare martial law at state levels where there are plenty of RepubliCON Governors . . . and with that take what is left of our civil rights . . . even the right to vote. Wow . . .wake up America . . . or get ready to earn $3 per hour and loose this precious Democratic Republic.
You talk about supposed "FEMA Camps", which is conspiracy BS. How about acknowledging some real facts in our nations history, such as the internment and detection camps actually setup within our nation by DEMOCRAT Presidents - Woodrow Wilson and FDR? Two DEMOCRATS that stripped Americans of their liberties and rights without DUE PROCESS. FEMA camps.... No, Democratic Internment and Detention Camps. Now tell me how compassionate they were.
Mike, this is reality son, be quiet, the grown-ups are talking. Under HIGHER tax rates of years past everyone did better, even those poor old rich folks. This is not a country designed to help the wealthy STEAL more from the middle class and working poor. We are supposed to be Americans, helping our fellow citizens live better lives, A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS. The greed and corruption of the wealthy and republicans are destroying America.
The people spoke in November. Sorry libs, but as your idol Obama once said, elections have consequences. Your activist judges will not save you. Your corrupt unions are history. These government workers are overpaid parasites. You can't keep spending the way you like to, the people won't stand for it. Budgets must be cut. And the welfare state is dead.
The people were lied to in November and told by the RepubliCONS its all about jobs, jobs, jobs. And now that they are in it is conservative social engineering that are doing only. . . Its Liberty for All . . . who look like and think like Right Wingers and everyone else be damned.
How do people like you sleep at night ? I have yet to hear people like you who love America but hate Americans say ANYTHING about all the wasted tax dollars on corporate welfare. military graft, banking fraud etc etc.
Yet you label the only Americans who pay taxes parasites who expect to get the taxes they paid coming back to them in services ?
Taxes only belong to people who PAY them not big business and wealthy people who don't pay into the system and who steal many more millions off of our system than people who paid Social Security etc who deserve to get those taxes back. Workers EARN their benefits because without them there would be NO profits for the wealthy elite.
What kind of cloud coo coo land do you live in ?
RepubliCONS? What is that? Something similar to a DemoCRAP? I'm just trying to understand the terminology used on this forum. Thanks, lol.
If the shoe fits . . . wear it . . . Jack Boots possibly ? Thanks, lol
Mst: said, "Taxes only belong to people who PAY them not big business and wealthy people who don't pay into the system and who steal many more millions off of our system than people who paid Social Security etc who deserve to get those taxes back."
Really? What if you learned that many people who pay NO taxes actually get a tax refund each year? True. What if you learned that the richest 1% of our nation pay over 40% of the total taxes paid to government? True. A little research would do you good.
The richest 1% own OVER 40% of the nations wealth and take advantage of loop-holes, tax shelters and off-shore tax free shell accounts. What a hardship!
If you have a problem with the "tax loop-holes" and "tax shelters", then why don't you call or write your Congressmen - the legislators that [wrote] the bills that were signed into law?? Democrat and Republican law makers made the 'rules', so don't knock the companies for playing by them. Oh, those evil corporations...lol
The people in the states are speaking now with recalls of RepubliCON's. I wonder if they will get the message when they get tossed out of office?
But thanks to facsist republicons the CORPORATE WELFARE STATE is alive and well.
Isn't it patriotic to pay your fair share of taxes? Corporations and the wealthy are then traitors to the country they pretend to support.
Gary,
Wait until we get the WHITE House back too.
We got the other one (House). Now we focus on the Senate this year.
Be patient.
LOL wow i see brain washed cult trolls are every where.
be nice if they pull their heads out of there fourth point of contact.
Actually it the people who watch Fox news who are brain washed. The pundits and anchors of Fox would make you believe all unions workers are making $150,000 with full benefits and a huge retirements. Reality is most of the worker make between $25,000-$55,000 paying part of benefits as well as putting into their pension. Anyone who thinks people like the Koch brothers don't want you working for $10/hr with no benefits is grossly mistaken. Their bottom line gets bigger while the Middle class disappears.
Can you provide a reference (link) that shows the average male public UNION worker is making between $25K and $55K, and receiving LESS salary and benefits than their non-union (tax paying) male counterpart? I didn't think so.
If they watch Fox Noise they wouldn't have any brain to wash. Just the usual bah bah Fox sheep have you any clue. Their is one brain among the collective of Fox virewers. If your lucky you might find the one with the brain on that day.
Really, just $25,000 - $55,000. I could have sworn i just heard a firefighter from Ohio say he makes over $70,000. lets get as close to right as we can.
Garbage bill
Kasich is a one termer!
It's the fault of the middle class for their own predicament. Didn't they have the sense to be born heirs to the Koch and Walton fortunes? The RepubliCONS won't be happy until everyone else is working for wages comparable to what the workers earn overseas. Pure Capitalism is as unsustainable as pure Communism so unless the capitalists relent they will be fomenting a revolution aimed at them in the coming years.
Don't ya just love it. We all better take a look at what the definition of Communist is. I think we have a few governors running loose that qualify.
There are two kinds of individuals that are not union. Those that are non-union and those like the govs in Mich, Wisc, Maine, Ohio, etc, that are anti-union.
Non-Union equates to individuals that work in an open shop.
Anti-Union equates to SCABS like NJ, Wisc., Maine, Ohio, Mich, and a number of other states governors.
I am one of those incredibly rich public employees union members everyone keeps bitching about. I have been working for a university for 20 years, fall right into the $25K - $55K range (and it's NOT near $55), haven't received a raise in 4 or 5 years, and pay more and more of my salary into insurance premiums, public transportation fees, taxes, gas, etc., etc. My father and my boyfriend work for private unions and make bank (thankfully). Most of my colleagues are by no means rich or well-off. My boss makes a huge salary, but he has earned it with years of world-reknowned research, and he is non union. So every time I hear about how we public union employees are leeches draining the system with our gigantic salaries, I really want someone to produce one of these people cause I sure as heck don't know any.
Howler: If you've been working for a university (didn't say which position; probably not a professor) and you've been making between $25K and $55K, and have NOT received a raise in 5 years, and your union advocates were NOT able to remedy your situation, then you may want to dust off your resume and look for a new line of work. Perhaps its time for a little 'self reflection' vs. looking for that next 'hand out'. I believe in "performance based pay".
Well I didn't say I was unhappy. I was making a point salient to the argument. Show me the rich public union workers.
States are attempting to get their public union contracts under control and ensure pay and benefits are equitable based on the average compensation rates for similar career fields in the private sector; the middle class tax payers that fund the salaries of the public employees.
The public labor union leaders forget that public employees (servants) work [for] the tax payers, not the other way around. The relationship between the labor unions and Democrats placed this so-called 'collective bargaining' in a death spiral that was out of control and contributing to the state financial crisis.
No where has any Republican stated they were targeting private sector unions at the state level, so to say they are 'next' is just baseless fear mongering. A feeble attempt to obtain more support from others that are not part of these state public union discussions.
That is a bald faced lie Mike. Right-to-work initiatives, for one. Also the fact that the number of private union jobs HAD been on par with public union jobs. The factory jobs that were part of the economic boom of WW2 were unionized. But as soon as those unions got busted, the jobs were either sent abroad (manufacturing), or undocumented Mexicans were brought in by the bus load to fill the jobs (meat packing.) And the one time that Bush tried to privatize port security, who did he go to? Dubai Port World. Are suggesting we do this with public unions?
RE: States are attempting to get their public union contracts under control and ensure pay and benefits are equitable based on the average compensation rates for similar career fields in the private sector; the middle class tax payers that fund the salaries of the public employees.
Brilliant the RepubliCON's finally talking about the redistribution of wealth.
Only a Progressive would try to equate the creation of a fair and equitable compensation "standard" for public service using tax payer dollars, to a redistribution of private wealth - where you "take" from one group and "give" to another.... two very different concepts. Nice try, care to play again?
Plus, if I'm WORKING for a living, please explain to me what handout I'm getting, exactly???? Working and putting myself through school, I might add.
Way to go HM41! I've been in education in Tennesee since 1971 and have an Masters Degree. My salary this year is a little over $49,000. I pay into my own pension fund. I am a property owner and tax payer in the county where I am employed. I, like you, am not complaining about what I make. I do, however, resent being called a freeloader taking handouts. My husband and I, with the help of a partial sports scholarship, put our daughter through college (no loan to default on). We work hard and pay our way. I am retiring this year and have 231 accumulated sick leave days. Looks like that says a lot about how much I work. Not many wasted days there.
The attack on private unions in coming next. Not that there will be much left to attack after Kasich, Walker, and their buddies get through.
And as for those teachers, yup, they're sure overpaid. In fact, since the pay and benefits for those no-work jobs are so great, why aren't YOU going after one, Mike?
After retiring from the military as a veteran, I'm now 1/2 way through my second career - and it's not unionized. I'm doing quite well - thanks.
Oh, so you're getting one of those generous government pensions. Now we see.
do you not think that a career military person should not draw a pension, after all there's a good chance he or she fought for your rights.
fatboyre: Thank you.
People like 'mpguy' likely never served their nation or appreciate the service of those citizens that volunteer to do so regardless of their politics. The military is probably the least compensated for their jobs and the dangerous conditions they work in, but we didn't serve to be 'rich', we served to defend our Republic.
No, you serve to have the govt turn its back on you if you don't have the good grace to get yourself killed overseas. Or least that was policy under Bush. You must have been proud.
I’m writing in regards to all the things the Republican party state and national congressional and representatives and tea party people are trying to do to the middle class.
The first thing right off the bat the republican governors are out to bust the public unions and along the way at some time they will also try to bust the private unions. The whole goal is do away with the middle class, this would result in our country becoming a third world country. If you think your pay and benefits aren’t great now, think about what will happen when the Republicans take all your rights away. To me the Republicans will control not only your wages, but also your benefits. So in the long run only the rich won’t have to worry when it comes time to retire, also the retirement age will become much higher then it is today.
By doing away with pensions and having not to invest in your 401k pension fund, you would be forced to take out other means for retirement income. Do to the Republicans taking away your union rights, your wages will be too low to invest in any pension program. Then when it becomes time to retire, will social security pay enough money to you each month to afford retirement. This I doubt social security will be enough, because due to lower pay, you will also pay less into social security. Even if you have a good savings, 401k plan and other retirement investments, the interest rates are so low that you will have to use up money in the investments to support your social security. Believe me I know, for my investments pay very low interest. The Republicans think this is good idea, but with people making less money, who will support the government. China maybe? It certainly will not be the rich or the big companies.
If you the middle class think the Republicans and tea party people are trying to balance the budget, you have another think coming. The spread between the rich and poor will only become greater.
To me the Republicans and the Democrats had no problems sending the middle class jobs to other countries mostly third world or countries run by dictators, this leading to more profit for almost every company that moves out of the U.S.A. It’s very discouraging to me to pick up things made in every other country, but ours. To make matters worse, even our governor in Ohio was one on those C.E.O.’s guilty of this. Now he is all against Unions and wants to give tax breaks for companies to locate here. Will this get our companies back from third world countries? Only if you give up your right for unions to strike and to protect unions right to organize. The right to work law will only make union shops harder for people to get along together, this creating more problems with middle class. If your in a union shop, everyone should pay union dues, this is the American way. If you do not want a union shop, that also is the American way. But to force unions out, by government forcing them out is entirely wrong, not a good American way to do business.
We need to get our companies back, but not give up our rights as citizens. It is so easy for our Republican leaders to become dictators, all they have to do, is control the states or our nation’s Senate and House of Representatives. This goes way beyond socialism, which the Republicans want you to believe that the Democrats are doing to our country
We might need to improve health care, but we sure don‘t need to start over again. This is just a way to stall a good thing for the country.
We need to get serious on the illegal drug problem in this country, think of the billions of dollars spent on not only trying to stop its use, but also in lost lives of the people on illegal drugs.
As for immigration, this country was built on immigrants from all over the world, because we have the freedom to believe in religion of our choice, freedom from persecution by the government, just to be free to walk the streets, live where we want too and to speak our with government legislators about how to make our lives better. But to take the rights of people away, is entirely wrong.
Yes we need to balance the budget, but this can only happen by bringing manufacturing back to this country. Not by making the middle class a third world class of people.
Do we really need as many congressmen and representatives on the national and state level that we have today? We have come a long ways since this nation was formed, our communications by e-mail, face book and other means is great today, Our transportation gets us from one end of the U.S.A. to the other end in such a short time. I’m sure we can cut down on the number of congressmen and representatives that we need to run this great country. I’m no expert on the cost savings, but I’m sure it result in the millions of dollars saved. Especially the house of representatives, do we really need over 400 of them on the national level and same for all the states.
It is sad to see every Republican governor in this country trying to do away with the middle class, for it is the middle class people who are the backbone of this country, the firemen, policemen, state troopers, school teachers who spend years learning their profession, same for nurses and everyone to numerous to mention. Yes Republicans go ahead with your agenda, for somehow along the way it will fail you.
This is from a long time resident of this country, born here to parents that were also born here, but from grandparents born in Switzerland and Germany. God how I love my country, but hate to see what greed and power hungry politicians are doing to the greatest country in the world. We must be setting a really good example for the world!
To Sign my name would be unimportant, but to save our country is more important.
This is from a loving father of four children in Ohio.
Government forced Obamacare IN against the people's will.
Let them do the same with unions...force them OUT....with a little whining.
It's a Democrat policy vs Republican policy kinda thing.
Let's just play the game and get along.
how do you send a e-mail to the ed show
To email us, write Ed@msnbc.com.
Thanks!
The Republicans hate us union people because get a penny and they pocket a dollar. My my plant they tried to hire scabs LMAO they about shut it down because these scabs couldnt do the DANGEROUS skilled work it takes many hours to master a job like I do.So we sat down with the company and negotiated a contract we make more product and profit than any other time the war on the middle class will bite these anti union people in the end.By the way my 60 year old mother that is a teacher is NOT A UNION THUG as the GOP likes to paint them.
Can't wait to vote bye bye GOP !
You need to look at the 'big picture' of the NEA (Teachers Union) to understand the 'thugs' that receive monthly dues from teachers like your mother and others that really don't have a say in negotiations, except to often be the Labor Union's 'puppets' at their demonstrations; marching with their professionally designed signs.
Do you know who Saul Alinsky is? Are you familair with his book, “Rules for Radicals”? Did you know the NEA used Saul Alinsky as a consultant to train their own staff? This is what was written on the cover of a recent New York NYSUT publication, “Educate, collaborate, AGITATE!” Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals was a featured item on the National Education Association (NEA) reading list.
Why do you think the GOP needs to 'paint them' as radicals and thugs, when they do it themselves? They are very open about this, so why don't you know about it?
Republicans know that most teachers are not union zealots, even though they are members. Many teachers, perhaps even most teachers, are not union zealots. Many, in fact, do not agree with the teacher unions on a great many things. The unions know this, too. Here is quick example:
The NIFA knows that about 50 percent of its members voted for Republicans for Congress in the 1994 elections. Yet the NEA's political action committee, which is the 5th largest PAC in the nation and gave $2,260,850 to candidates for federal office in the 1994 elections, gave 99 percent of it to Democrats. How is that for representing your constituents?? Is that democratic?
Mike I respect your veiws but it boils down to you Repubs hating unions thats the top and bottom line
Come on. You know the world is not black and white - there are no absolutes in life. You know better than the rhetoric you hear from both Democrats and Republicans. Unfortunately, people try to create an artificial boundary between the two parties: Republicans = Corporations, and Democrats = Unions, but we know that is a false choice. In order for American to grow there has to be an equitable relationship between the two.
Oh now you are just getting cute. Equitable relationship between corporations and union? Cute.
Sent my comments to the Ed radio show by e_mail. Sorry this comment was to long about how I thing the Republican governors are becoming dictators.
Plain and simple, it is about politics, not savings! They even say they don't know what the savings could be....... so then based on that they don't even know if there will be a savings. EVERY time you hear about the a republican commenting negatively about unions they always start out with "I heard of this one case"! Well what about the thousands of other good, honest, hardworking union brothers and sisters that don't abuse "the system"
Mike is obviously a Fascist, defending corporate welfare, and the out right purchase of government by the wealthy.
JHall: That's quite an uneducated leap you made calling me a fascist, but I guess if you can't call me a racist to try and shut me down, fascist must be the next best name to call people you disagree with, LOL.
I'm a Conservative, which means small and limited government that abides by the Constitution. Do you know what a Fascist is? Do you know it take a strong (big) central government to have a Fascist form of government, not a small/limited government? Are you saying the Nazis in Germany had a small/limited form of government? No, they had a large central government, much like what the Progressives/Democrats are pursuing in this nation. I would help you with more information, but I think you lack the capacity. Why don't you define Fascist; then you'll understand your own ignorance.
You mean small limited govt required to ensure that every pregnancy ends in a live birth, to ensure that all latinos have their birth certificates and pass-ports in addition to their driver's licenses on pain of instant imprisonment and deportation. To demand compulsory drug testing of public assistance recipients and public union members, the turnover of all accounts of long distance records and warrantless wiretaps, as per Patriot Act. To meddle in a woman's reproductive right, for gays and lesbians to marry or serve their country (Yay Freedom!) To place the nation under Christian Sharia Law, making us a Christian Iran. That kind of small limited govt, right?