News

Dispatch Refusing to Give Time for Public Sector Union View

Over the last 8 weeks, Local 4502 has repeatedly tried to offer an Op/Ed reply to the Columbus Dispatch regarding the numerious articles claiming Public Sector employee wages and benefits are too generous and a primary cause of financial problems for State and Local budgets.

Knowing this is not true, Local 4502 wrote an accurate, positive and professional reply that would give citizens a chance to see that Public Sector Unions provide positive impact on thier lives by creating cost effficiencies with the employer - thus potentially holding taxes down; and a higher standard and accountability of service than third party contractors could give.

We are actively pursuing other avenues of attempting to get this reply to the public, but it is to the discouragement of all Public Sector Unions and employees that NOT ONE official reply from a bargaining unit on this issue has been accepted by this primary source of print media in our area. We will keep you informed as to any progress we are able to gain, but in the mean time have included the letter below for your reference.

"The relevance and usefulness of Labor Unions has taken front page status for some time now. Media sources and some political agendas have tried to paint Labor in our country as a burden to public sector employers and a financial drain on local budgets. The common mantra is that collective bargaining produces only liability for employers and hamstrings growth and success. The importance of Labor Unions and their positive impact on public sector employers has never been more crucial. The benefit to taxpayers and citizens can be measured in the numerous joint labor/management relationships which streamline operations and provide substantial cost savings for governmental budgets. Millions of dollars in operational savings can be attributed to the positive working relationships Labor has with its employer. Cost savings and efficiencies are often created out of necessity – on the front line. Without Union help, municipalities easily become financially inefficient and are less able to provide taxpayer services. The public sector Union philosophy is to make the employer successful in delivering needed services to the taxpayer at costs less than private sector companies can provide.
What is particularly troublesome about the “message” currently being presented in the media, and espoused by some political candidates, is the conscious effort of not addressing or correcting the real problems that face us. Selling the public on a notion that public sector benefits and wages cause local and state financial shortfalls is disingenuous. The common thread in local and state budgetary shortfalls is dwindling tax revenue, job losses to the community, municipal investment shortfalls and home foreclosures. Eliminating front line workers and civil servants who provide critical services to the public will not provide the solution promised. Often it is a promise of future prosperity that never materializes and results in less service and accountability to the taxpayers.
Working for jobs that provide living wages and decent benefits is not something that we, as Americans should stop striving to achieve. Our hope should always be that everyone who desires to provide for their family has an opportunity to do so. The solution resides in a much bigger playing field than at the lowest levels of municipal operation. If we can be courageous enough to stand up for governmental and corporate accountability; give voice to fair global trade and consistent environmental standards for all countries who manufacture and export goods; demand ethics in our financial and insurance companies as well as oversight of how these industries operate – we are on the path to lasting recovery and prosperity. Don’t ever give in to the siren song that to be successful on the global market, we have to give up our standard of living or accept jobs that don’t offer living wages and decent benefits! America has always been the innovator and has its greatest resource and asset in the people who work to make a life better for their children than they themselves had."

There is much to do in this area and Local 4502, in affiliation with the Central Ohio AFL-CIO and CWA Statewide are working diligently to address the issue of Public Sector employee importance and positive impact on taxpayers across Ohio. As we move forward we will let you know how you may help in this mobilization and education campaign.

In Unity and Solidarity,

Brien Bellous

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