UE members across the country have reason to celebrate two landmark election victories as voters in two states -- Ohio and Iowa -- overwhelmingly turned back corporate attacks on working people. UE members and retirees were very active in both contests as part of a massive labor-sponsored effort.
Members of UE's Iowa locals are involved in a special election that will decide the balance of power in the Iowa State Senate, and likely determine the future of collective bargaining rights in the state.
Back in March, the Republican-controlled Iowa House of Representatives, with the backing of Republican Governor Terry Branstad, passed an anti-union bill similar to the union-busting legislation in Wisconsin. But because Democrats held a one-seat majority in the State Senate, the bill was stopped in its tracks there.
The Battle of Wisconsin was at the center of last spring's struggle to defend workers' rights. For the next three weeks, ground zero in that struggle will be Ohio. A ballot-box victory there could be an important step in turning the tide against the enemies of labor.
On Election Day, November 8, we won't be watching for the outcome of a race between two candidates. Instead, we'll witness an exercise in direct democracy. The voters will directly decide whether to preserve workers' rights to build unions and collectively bargain in Ohio.
When Republican lawmakers declared full-scale war on working people and our unions just a few months ago, you can bet that many of them never expected the backlash that it has generated. Angry working people -- and many UE members among them -- have been pushing back against these outrageous attacks in all 50 states, something we have never seen before in our lifetimes. As this battle has unfolded, many elected Democrats have come to our defense.
With Republican attacks on working people underway now in all 50 states, keeping track of the latest news is a challenge. Below are several key web pages that have provided invaluable help as working people seek information on the rapidly changing situation.
Monday's mass demonstrations against the radical attacks of anti-labor Republicans and big business were even bigger than predicted. More than 1,200 mass rallies or pickets were held in all 50 states, with several hundred thousand working people participating.
All UE members and supporters are reminded to make final plans for your participation in the We Are One actions this coming Monday, April 4th. While the radical Republican attacks on working people have been stalled or stopped in several states the attacks continue in others. The war on workers has shifted into high gear in Ohio, with the passage of SB5 now a reality. All indications are pointing to a massive upsurge underway against these corrupt and disgraceful attacks on working people.
Madison, Wisconsin
Working people across the country continue to expand the mobilizations to stop the gang-up attacks of big business, the Republican Party, and the corporate news media. UE members have joined the battle in more than 10 states with more to follow. Republican politicians in 25 states have launched radical attacks on the jobs, wages, pensions, health care benefits, and labor rights of millions of working people. Their stated go
As you’ve probably heard, the Republican-controlled Wisconsin State Senate has done a sneaky end run around state law, and around its own rules, to pass Gov. Scott Walker’s union-busting bill with no Democrats present. A few days ago Ohio’s State Senate passed SB 5, a similar anti-union bill, by just one vote. Workers are fighting for their rights in Indiana, Iowa and many other states. Union members and union supporters around the country are mobilizing in ever-growing numbers to defend collective bargaining and basic workers’ rights.