Statement of Mark H. Ayers, President of the Building and Construction Trades Department, on the Defeat of Issue 2 in Ohio
WASHINGTON, DC -- Tonight, the voters of Ohio have spoken and the great American Middle Class won big. By exercising their right to reject a manufactured attack on the collective bargaining rights of workers, Ohio voters have sent a loud and unmistakable message that the proper focus of our nation ought to be job creation and the expansion of economic opportunities for all of our citizens. The fundamental right to collectively bargain is central for the ability of workers to pursue the American Dream and secure fair wages and benefits for themselves and their families..
From this point forward, every elected official will have to think twice before engaging in misguided efforts to undermine collective bargaining or attempt to blame hardworking Americans in order to advance an extreme, ideological agenda..
Every Ohio citizen will benefit from tonight’s victory. When teachers have a voice in the workplace, they are better advocates for children. Families are healthier when nurses can speak out for better care and more staffing. Communities are safer when firefighters and police have a say when it comes to staffing to reduce response times or needed safety equipment like defibrillators. By Defeating Issue Two, Ohio voters protected their public employees and everyone they serve by protecting collective bargaining rights.
The national leadership of the Republican Party should pay heed to what is happening; and understand that the middle class will continue to reject an America that is being manipulated by a small, but powerful minority of wealthy special interests, and self-serving politicians.
Tonight, Ohio voters made abundantly clear that there will be a price for turning your back on the middle class.
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The Building and Construction Trades Department is an alliance of 13 national and international unions that collectively represent over 2 million skilled craft workers in the United States and Canada
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