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SEOEA e-Pad Senate Bill 5 Update 

(Vol 1, Issue 5)

  

Greetings! 


The Ohio Senate is starting to listen to the thousands of voices present at our rallies this past week.  Whispers of changes to Senate Bill 5 are emanating from the Statehouse.  A northern Ohio OEA member spoke with Senator Oelslager Wednesday evening and was told the Republican Caucus meeting that night had been cancelled.  His conclusion was that the committee is working on revisions that will allow the bill to get enough votes to pass.  Senator Jones was interviewed on WBNS Channel 10 out of Columbus and said that they are looking at allowing public employees to collectively bargain salaries but not benefits so even the proposer is showing some willingness to compromise.

 

We need to keep contacting our representatives DAILY and let them know how we feel about the provisions of this bill - call, write, e-mail.  Let them know what effect the bill will have on you and your family.  I took our salary schedule and calculated the loss of income for all levels with the increase in insurance contribution and giving up the board picking up our STRS contribution.  A member with a Master's degree with 15 years experience would lose around $7,000 per year, not counting the additional contribution to STRS that may pass with the pension bill.  The Athens economy is largely based around Ohio University, Hocking College, a state prison, a multi-county jail and other public agencies and the taxes collected from public employees.  The overall impact to our community would be incredible.

 

Plan to attend one of the rallies or town meetings listed elsewhere in this newsletter.  Keep talking with your members and encourage members who seem to have their head in the sand to pull them out and make some contacts.  Impress upon them that should public employees lose the right to bargain collectively, it will be very hard to get those rights back.

 

If you want to get a funny look at the situation in Wisconsin, go to Hulu.com and look at the "Colbert Report" show from Tuesday, February 22.  President of American Federation of Teachers is a guest along with one of the Democratic senators who fled the state.

 

Jeff Slattery, SEOEA Communications

 

 

In This Issue
Senate Bill 5 Hearings
Marietta Rally
Athens Town Hall Meeting and Rally
Additional SB 5 Resources
SEOEA-2 Rallies?
Upcoming Events
Senate Bill 5 Hearings 
None scheduled yet.  Revisions are currently being discussed.
 
montage.jpgMarietta Rally -
February 25, 2011

 

There will be a Senate Bill 5 rally in Marietta on Friday, February 25, 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the intersection of Front and Putnam Streets by the end of the Putnam Street bridge. Feel free to bring children, friends, family, etc. This rally will be attended by the press, and it is important that we have a strong contingency speaking out against SB 5!  If you have any questions contact LRC Sarah Drinkard  740-797-9630  [email protected]

 
Athens Town Hall Meeting and Rally
With Representative Debbie Phillips, District 92.
Representative Debbie Phillips is planning a town hall meeting on Saturday, February 26, 2011 10:00 AM at the Ahens Recreation Center, 701 East State Street.  Take the State Street exit off of US 33.  Go east to the second light and turn in.  There is a larger parking lot to the east of the center.  All public employees and community members are invited to attend.  Debbie is firmly against the provisions of SB 5 and especially their effect on educators.  She has been a strong supporter of public educations so come out and hear her thoughts on this bill.
 
Additional SB 5 Resources

No SB 5 poster for your car, bulletin board, etc. Also in booklet below.

 

SB 5 Booklet with bill highlights and talking points

 

Note for a business or restaurant owner.  Modify legislator contact info for back.

 

SB 5 Power Point presentation for staff overview.

 
Any SEOEA-2 Activities?
Are any of our SEOEA-2 southern counties planning any rallies or town meetings this week?  If so, please send your info to [email protected] so we can include them in future updates.

 

 
district mapUpcoming Events
SEOEA Spring Workshop, Saturday, March 5, 10:00-2:00, Ohio University Inn, Athens
SEOEA Representative Assembly, Tuesday, April 12, 5:30 PM, Westview Elementary, Jackson
OEA Representative Assembly, Friday/Saturday, May 6-7, 9:00-4:00, Vet's Memorial, Columbus
NEA Representative Assembly, June 29 - July 5, Chicago,IL
SEOEA Presidents/Treasurers Workshop, Tuesday, July 26, 9:00-2:00, Ohio University Inn, Athens - Mark your calendars.