Thousands Protest Senate Bill 5

The bill, introduced by Republican Sen. Shannon Jones of Springboro, would eliminate the ability for labor unions to bargain collectively for better wages, benefits and working conditions. Police, firefighters, teachers and correctional officers will be affected most.

Charter buses began arriving from around Ohio at noon. Each union hosted its members at pre-rally lunches before marching to the statehouse. All types of unions were on hand to show their opposition for the bill.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety would allow roughly 1,200 protesters inside the Capitol Rotunda and Atrium and, just before 3 p.m., the crowd reached that capacity. The doors of the statehouse were then locked.

Democrats responded by holding a press conference, announcing that they would contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to order the doors be reopened. If that did not happen, they were prepared to seek an injunction from a federal judge demanding that more people be allowed inside.

Both inside and out, crowds chanted “kill the bill” and “recall Kasich.” Snow and below-freezing temperatures did not appear to keep anyone away. Protesters held signs — some printed and passed out by unions, others handmade — that announced their opposition to the bill. Teachers’ unions were even joined by some of their students.

Inside, the fourth testimony hearing for SB-5 began at 4 p.m. Nearly 20 people were scheduled to testify for each side. For those outside, the hearing testimony was broadcast over loudspeakers on the west side of the statehouse.

Gov. John Kasich said the bill is needed to help the state fill an $8 billion budget deficit. However, State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-92^nd District, said state workers only make up 9 percent of the state budget.

Phillips also said the bill is counterproductive and it has the potential to further damage the economy of a slowly recovering Athens County. The county is home to a high concentration of union employees because many work locally at Ohio University. She said she has already received thousands of emails and calls from those opposing the bill. Phillips is hosting a town hall meeting at the Athens Community Center Saturday at 10 a.m. to hear from her constituents.

Republican Sen. Jimmy Stewart of District 20 was unavailable for an interview about the bill but said Monday that he still had not made up his mind on the matter.

Former Gov. Ted Strickland, Reverend Jess Jackson and Sen. Dennis Kucinich – all Democrats – joined the protestors.  At one point, protesters chanted “fired up, ready to go!” and “this is our house, let the people in!”

There did not appear to be any bill supporters except for the people inside and scheduled to testify.

One firefighter from the Cincinnati area said that the bill would hinder his ability to provide for his family, especially because he has only been on the job for two years. An Alexander High School teacher said the bill would drastically affect the quality of education Southeast Ohio students would receive. Even Hocking Correctional Officers were on hand to say this was the best job they can get in the area and invited Stewart to do the work they do.

It is not clear if there will be additional committee hearings or when a vote will take place. The bill must pass out of committee before it can be considered by the full Senate. A similar bill has yet to be introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Republicans have control of both Ohio houses. If Kasich signs the bill into law, Ohio union officials said they are already beginning to plan a referendum to be placed on the November ballot.

In an email to members Tuesday, the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters said they considered the rally to be a success and they are not done fighting.

In Athens, those unable to attend the Columbus rally gathered at the Athens County Courthouse to hold their own protest. Teachers from Athens and surrounding counties chanted and received support from passersby and Court Street drivers.

Ohio University College Democrats also welcomed bill opponents to make calls to their state senators and representatives throughout the day Tuesday at Baker University Center.

To contact your state representative or senator about Senate Bill 5, click here.