The voters of Ohio rejected Gov. John Kasich’s extreme anti-worker bill – SB 5 – when they voted down Issue 2.

Yesterday, we made history.

In a word, this victory is monumental. It’s an affirmation of our right to bargain collectively. Never before has the public had the opportunity to weigh in on this basic right. Voters said NO to Issue 2 and YES to the right of public service workers to negotiate on issues such as health care, outsourcing, and staffing levels on nursing shifts, firefighting crews and in squad cars.

See how we won by watching our new video and share it with your friends and co-workers.

Working together, Democrats and Republicans, union and non-union workers, as well as teachers, bus drivers, firefighters, corrections officers, police officers, social service workers, nurses and public employees of all stripes sent a resounding message to the powerful forces on the far right who want to eliminate public services, reduce corporate taxes, and take away the rights of hard-working Americans: There’s a price to pay when you turn your back on the middle class.

We would not be celebrating this win if it weren’t for the tireless efforts of your AFSCME sisters and brothers in Ohio. What they accomplished is simply incredible.

The Main Street movement that started in Madison, landed in Ohio, and is now sweeping the country should send shivers down the spines of anti-worker politicians in cities and towns and statehouses across America. The people who work on Main Street — who plow our roads, tend to the sick and protect our communities — will not allow themselves to be scapegoats for the economic crisis created by Wall Street greed.

This victory confirms what we have always known: Working families will rise up, organize, and make our voices heard when lawmakers trample our rights in order to cushion millionaires and corporations. In fact, we want to tell you more about yesterday’s win in Ohio:

• First, watch our video to see just how much hard work and dedication everyday AFSCME members in Ohio poured into this campaign.
• Then, sign-up for a special Tele-Town Hall meeting with both of us and the leaders in Ohio so that you can learn how they fought back, and how you can too. Click here to register for the special event on Monday, Nov. 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Make no mistake: Our victory in Ohio is sweet, but the fight to protect the public services and middle class that make our country so great is far from over. So today, we celebrate. But tomorrow we go right back to work — and we hope that we can count on you to continue standing up for the middle class.