Saturday, February 19, 2011

Union activists to stage rally in Dayton #ohea #wiunion #killthebill #solidarityWI

Union activists to stage rally in Dayton

Union activists to stage rally in Dayton

Opponents to collective bargaining bill says it’s unfair 
to public workers.


By Joanne Huist Smith, Tom Beyerlein
 and Joanne Huist Smith and Tom Beyerlein
Staff Writers
Updated 10:58 PM Friday, February 18, 2011

DAYTON — On the heels of demonstrations in Columbus and Wisconsin that have drawn thousands of union supporters, Dayton-area labor leaders are planning a regional rally of police, firefighters and teachers to oppose plans to cut the collective bargaining rights of public employees.

Union activists plan to rally outside the Dayton Convention Center downtown at 9:15 a.m. Monday, while state Sen. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, hosts a town hall meeting inside.

“Stripping our collective bargaining rights strips our voices,” said David Romick, president of the 1,200-member Dayton Education Association.

The union rights of public employees have become hot-button issues in several states, including Ohio, as Republican governors and legislatures are seeking to control costs by eliminating or reducing workers’ ability to bargain collectively,