Labor leaders discuss unions' future

CALEDONIA - On Jan. 1, 2012, Marion police Maj. Jay McDonald watched 15 of his officers leave the force in one day, the result of forced layoffs and budget cuts. The department's annual report said another employee was laid off that year, and three more "long-term employees" took positions elsewhere. By the end of the year, a force that had once had 66 was down to 41 employees.

"We invested up to 10 years into some of those people in training, in experience and their knowledge of this community," McDonald said Thursday evening at a We Are Ohio event for local labor leaders. "… Now fortunately, we were able to get back every one of those guys who wanted to come back and they're out serving our community today."

McDonald cited the past layoffs as a reason he believes benefits for workers need to be defended, especially in the face of what he and other leaders said were laws weakening unions.

McDonald is state president of the Fraternal Order of Police and serves as the national organization's first vice president. He was joined by the FOP's local chapter president, Marion police Detective Jim Fitsko, who hosted the event at the Steve Young Memorial Lodge 24.

"I've been in the police department for 23 years and I've been in the union every single day of that," McDonald said. "… As I travel across the country, I see the same fights time after time."

'Right to work' legislation and current House Bill 394, which reduces available unemployment compensation, were particular targets of speakers including McDonald, former Ohio Senate candidate Tanyce Addison and Randy Weston, political and legislative director for the Ohio Association of Public School Employees.

McDonald called 'right-to-work' initiatives, which have passed in 25 states including Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin, a "trick title" that weakens unions. He and others also referenced 'right to work' under messaging adopted by We Are Ohio, calling the initiatives "Right to work is wrong."

We Are Ohio led the successful repeal effort of Senate Bill 5 in 2011, overturning a state law that cut collective bargaining power for Ohio public employees. Its current mission, according to its website, is generating bipartisan opposition to 'right-to-work' legislation.

shickey@marionstar.com
740-244-9940
Twitter: @SpenserHickey