Dozens Gather In Cambridge to Rally Senate Bill 5

As Governor Kasich released his drastically cut budget proposal Tuesday, many public workers across the state including here in southeast Ohio have not forgotten about Senate Bill 5. Click the video link on the left to view Mark Bullion’s full story.

Emotions ran high Tuesday evening as dozens gathered in Cambridge to rally against Senate Bill 5. The bill, now currently in the House, strips public workers of some of their collective bargaining rights.

"They are wanting to pull all the control into the Administration’s hands and leave us in a sense begging as opposed to bargaining for our working conditions and the stuff we have to work with day to day," said Justin Warner, Cambridge Firefighters Local 19 President.

Denise Leach is an 8th grade Language Arts Teacher in Barnesville. Leach is a second generation union member in her family so it hits home to her a little more.

"It’s hard for us not to feel like it is an attack against unions," said Leach.

Having been a union president before and bargained several contracts, she is concerned about several items in the bill that are not clearly defined.

"That is a concern for us is we don’t know how so many of those things will be defined and whether that’s done at the local or state level is still a concern for us because we may not have the opportunity to have a voice in how they are defined," said Leach.

Ron Gonbeda is a manager of a local business in Cambridge. He is not a union member but says if the bill passes, the trickle down effect will be felt among businesses in the state like his.

"My business alone, 30 percent of customers that come in there are public unions. If they have less discretionary income, my business is going to be affected; I’ll have to lay off people," said Gonbeda.

So if the bill passes, these people are ready to put up a fight.

"If it goes through, i’m working for that referendum," said Leach.

"I will be out there collecting signatures and i’ll vote for it," said Gonbeda.

"We’re going to work on a referendum to force it to be a ballot issue and force the general population to vote on it," said Warner.

A rally will also be held Thursday, March 17th at Shenandoah High School in Sarahsville where State Representative Andy Thompson is expected to make an appearance and answer questions and concerns from the public on Senate Bill 5.