The Ohio University College Democrats stand strong with We Are Ohio Students and the campaign to vote “no” on Issue 2 and stop Senate Bill 5.
Issue 2 is unfair and unsafe and will hurt all of us. Under SB 5’s language, public workers are not only banned from striking but will no longer have a say on their health care, pension or other benefits — leaving most of the decisions pertaining to workers to be decided by management, as opposed to the employee.
This policy will greatly hurt families’ ability to make ends meet in Athens and all across Ohio. Under Issue 2, public-school class sizes can no longer be negotiated. This makes the quality of education for the next generation severely diminished. Smaller classroom sizes are most productive for teachers and students. Under Issue 2’s language, smaller class sizes are not guaranteed.
Issue 2 will also take away our firefighters’ and police officers’ ability to negotiate their staffing levels. Staffing-level negotiations make the difference between an Athens police officer’s patrolling alone or with a partner.
They make the difference between how many firefighters run into a burning building while we are all running out. Having a strong level of staff on duty at every point in time is a matter of safety to the community and our public servants whenever they are called to duty.
The OU College Democrats encourage all those interested in making sure we repeal SB 5 by voting “no” on Issue 2 to join the “We Are Ohio Students” campaign at 18 N. College St.
The campaign is working to get out the vote in the Athens community as well as to our fellow Bobcats to make sure we win Tuesday. OU depends on and respects those who clean up after us, cook our meals and keep us safe at night.
In solidarity with those who do so much for us, we urge the students of OU to vote “no” on Issue 2 and stop Senate Bill 5 from becoming law.
Look up your polling place at the Athens County Board of Elections website and make sure to vote between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Nick Tuell is a junior studying political science and the president of OU College Democrats.
