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National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel on overturning Ohio's ban on collective bargaining.
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Rich -- -- -- a victory for teachers in Ohio who might be next.
Well then -- then local's president of the national associate National Education Association Florida's teacher's union in the country what states are next on the agenda here Dennis.
Well I don't know which states will be facing these kind of -- but I think there was a real lesson learned and -- wake up call for politicians who tried to over reach and to turn their back on the American people especially the middle class.
The people recognize that was unfair was unsafe and they were hurting everybody in the state of Ohio big lesson to be learned.
What was it about this senate bill five that was the bill that failed.
Case -- what was it that that that really.
That didn't sit well with with you guys with the teachers there -- Ohio was there one particular thing was a one piece of that legislation that you said this can't happen.
Those -- very comprehensive bill and I think what it said is that.
They turn their back on the middle class a hardworking families in America so was a great was there anything specific was there any specific.
Well one of the things that it made it unfair as it took -- the way the right to collectively bargain to speak at the table.
-- made -- unsafe because for example firefighters couldn't talk about the kind of protections they needed.
Educators can talk about the important things for students like lowering class size of providing the kind of programs they did.
The public recognize that those voices are important for nurses for teachers and for firefighters.
I agree with that what hasn't worked with -- though because we've had collective bargaining now.
Up for quite some time made it every state.
With public the unions and public employees and yet we we've got to a point right now where whether it's financially or otherwise it just hasn't worked to this.
We don't we have many states that don't have collective bargaining and I don't I think what you'll find is where they do have collective bargaining.
They actually find better solutions to difficult problems is -- great process you sit down at the table you figure out how to best do it.
I really believe that without collaboration without giving management the school board in the case of education.
And the employees and their union together we can't solve the tough problems in front of this collaboration is the key.
Dennis can you see -- All although of people seeing a conflict of interest here though and that is -- you're giving public employees the right to collectively bargain with elected officials that they elected.
There's you know the American political process is a wonderful one.
And they have to use that point is that very people who worked against this law and public employees also spent money to elect public officials that they believe -- and part of the political process we give money to assist those that believe as we do so I think it's good in.
You know and education we want our students to be aware of their civic responsibility.
To be productive citizens to be take part in the democratic process.
So the people in Ohio clearly have spoken they want those collective bargaining privileges to be granted.
Two these public employees.
But what about the states and -- many states in fiscal difficulty right now.
You know you certainly look at Illinois you look at California so many others as well that just can't afford to pay.
On some of these over time benefit packages the public employees.
Will teachers give back on some of.
These issues.
In state after state public employees have given their fair share.
They've taken furloughs they didn't cut -- -- -- pay more for health care they pay more for pensions this has never been in Wisconsin and Ohio it was never about money or balancing the budget.
They were trying to silence the voice of public employees middle class hard working Americans.
And I think the public said no we don't want you to do that you know more people voted no on.
Senate bill five then voted for governor Casey -- the last election I think -- voice came out loud and clear this was unfair it was unsafe and -- hurt everybody in Ohio.
OK Dennis -- had a few seconds here I'll Heil to first off what do you think about Wisconsin obviously is -- is another wanted to be working hard and on -- -- -- -- -- though the legislation you've seen in these states is it similar to always -- we saw in Ohio.
There are similarities and of course there -- some uniqueness but what is the same and all of these places of that they have mobilized and energized.
Not only union members but all of middle class families hardworking Americans and I think the politicians better sit up and notice how loud they're speaking in the message they're sending.
We'll certainly this was -- loud and clear message out of Ohio law yesterday Dennis thank you so much we appreciate it.
Thank you Dennis their local from the national educations -- OK and as we wrap up the hour here it is unfortunate that we're in a session low for US stocks is down now down 350.
