Update on the struggle in Wisconsin, Ohio

Here at Portland Jobs with Justice, we're closely tracking the fights over collective-bargaining rights in Wisconsin and Ohio, where state legislators have used budget deficits as an excuse to undermine collective bargaining of public employees.  If the legislators ultimately succeed, it will set a catastrophic precedent for workers across the country, but fortunately, they're facing serious opposition. Here's the latest:

Wisconsin: A county circuit judge has blocked the state's anti-union law from going into effect while she considers a county district attorney's claim that legislators violated open-meeting laws in passing it. The D.A. alleges that the legislators failed to give the required 24 hours' notice of the meeting in which they approved the bill (or even the two hours required in an emergency). The state attorney general has appealed the judge's decision to the state supreme court, but the court hasn't decided yet whether to hear it.

Meanwhile, an effort to recall eight of the lawmakers who voted for the bill is under way. The 20,000 signatures necessary to put the first recall on the ballot have been gathered.

The first test of political strength of the Wisconsin fightback comes this Tuesday, April 5 when voters choose between a conservative and progressive in the race for the Supreme Court.  Right wing forces have poured hundreds of thousands into the typically sleepy race while labor and progressives are nearly matching the campaign dollars.  The outcome will likely be determined whose base is more energized.  Stay tuned.

Ohio: The Legislature has passed the state's anti-union bill—which is even harsher than Wisconsin's bill because it includes police and firefighters. Opponents have vowed to refer the measure to the November ballot.

How can you show your solidarity here in Portland? Come to Portland Rising, an April 16 rally and march, to tell lawmakers what their priorities should be—not weakening unions, but

•    A massive public works program to create Good Jobs Now!
•    Protecting and strengthening the safety net
•    Supporting collective bargaining as 15,000 Portland-area workers launch campaigns for workplace justice