FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Contact: Melissa Fazekas
Phone: (614) 203-2616
Email: mfazekas@weareohio.com

We Are Ohio Thanks Ohio Voters for Affirming Collective Bargaining Rights for Ohio’s Everyday Heroes

Columbus- Tonight We Are Ohio thanked Ohio voters for their historic and overwhelming support of collective bargaining rights for Ohio’s everyday heroes.  In what is thought to be the first election in the country on collective bargaining rights, Issue 2 was soundly defeated by Ohio voters. Today’s vote shows middle class Ohioans wanted to send a clear and emphatic message to our leaders and our nation that Ohioans don't turn our backs on the people who watch ours. This vote indicates Ohioans not only support public employees but they also understand that they have been problem solvers and have done so by making more than $1 billion in sacrifices in just the last three years.

“Many Ohioans have been with us since the beginning,” said Courtney Johnson, a public school teacher in Ironton. “From the day we were locked out of the statehouse to the day we turned in 1.3 million signatures, we have felt the support of Ohioans. Tonight we thank you and all Ohio voters for your historic and overwhelming support of collective bargaining rights for Ohio’s everyday heroes.”

“This vote indicates Ohioans not only support public employees, but they also understand we have been problem solvers and have done so by making more than $1 billion in sacrifices in just the last three years,” said Doug Stern, Cincinnati Firefighter. We all know it didn't have to be this way, and it doesn't have to be this way moving forward.”

“We are humbled by the support we have received from middle class Ohioans who voted to defeat issue 2 and reject senate bill 5,” said Tamar Gray, a public school teacher in Cleveland. “This is a victory for all Ohioans who want to solve the challenges facing our state without attacking the middle class. Tonight we will enjoy this historic victory, while tomorrow we will go back to work. Now is the time to come together as Ohioans and focus on protecting and creating good paying jobs in the public and private sectors all across the state.”

We Are Ohio is a citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan coalition that came together to stop Senate Bill 5, the unfair and unsafe law that would have cost our local communities jobs.