Union Members Converge On Council Chambers:

From the Middletown Journal

 

 

By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 7:26 PM Tuesday, December 7, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — More than 200 area union members and union supporters converged on City Council chambers for tonight’s meeting, during which the city leaders will be deciding whether to send a message to state officials that collective-bargaining laws need to be changed.

Council is hearing the first reading on a resolution urging the Ohio General Assembly to reconsider state laws limiting the ability of local governments to control personnel costs through collective bargaining.

According to the city, about 75 percent of its annual expenditures go toward personnel. Those costs are expected to increase by $1 million in 2011.

Councilman Josh Laubach, who first introduced the possible legislation and has spearheaded the resolution, said he is taking “a beating over this” but that the resolution was meant to help the city gain control over its budgetary costs and was not meant to be anti-labor.

Councilman A.J. Smith has publicly spoken against the resolution, stating to take away a union’s ability to arbitrate contracts sends the message that “employees don’t deserve rights.” To each person who got up to publicly speak against the resolution, Smith shook his head in agreement and applauded.

No residents turned in public comment cards to speak in favor of the resolution.

Full story here:Middletownjournal.com

Did you take any video of the meeting you will be posting, Randy?

Will there ever be a time action is ever taken with the words on this site, and others? It was going to be an attornel general action on misappropriation on gas funds. It was going to be a petition to have a counil member removed (I suspect Picard) that died a sudden death. Will it now be a petition to have Smith removed? That one has teeth and traction, but probably will never be moved past the board.

[QUOTE=wasteful]Smith's Political Career in Middletown is over.  The no ward system will see to that from here on out.  I doubt he could get elected to dog catcher now.[/QUOTE

Hey don't forget that dog catchers are in the bargaining unit

Oh hell no! Just got a recorded message from AJ Smith saying the people have spoken and no resolution will occur to the tune of a 6 to 1 vote. (Thanks Josh for doing the right thing with your 1 vote) Disappointed at Ms. Scott-Jones for going along with the other spineless wonders on this council. Do they not care that the unions are normally not willing to compromise? Do the six that voted this down not care whether the city has any bargaining power at the negotiation table? Do the six that voted this down not care whether the cost legacies of the unions pay and benefit packages end up bankrupting the city as it destroys the city budget? What is wrong with these six people on council? They don't have a clue as to the meaning of the words logic and competency. Clean 'em all out and leave Laubach as the new anchor of a competent thinking council next time. It's the only way we can change this cluster........ Bad decision from you six members. You have hurt this city now and in the future for not pursuing this. You cowered down to the greedy little union people. Most don't care about the city. Most of them don't live here, so the only thing most of them care about in Middletown is protecting their paychecks.......and you wimped out from their "harsh" talk. You should have told them to live with it that the city is pursuing a change in negotiations and to butt out if they came from Dayton. It ain't none of Dayton's business.

Mr. Smith, I didn't appreciate your canned, pre-recorded message sent to my number telling me "the people have spoken". Nonsense, the council cowered down behind the desk. I don't agree with you bud. You are on the wrong side and you are too blind to see it.

Speaking of unions, What ever happen to the union brothers cashing their brother's checks when AK was on strike? I never did hear the final results plus I wouldn't want a brother like that.

I heard about this voice mail and I also heard from some very important people around town today and they are not happy about this voice mail. Again one more classless act by Mr. Smith

Is it  true that there have been recent sightings of a notable Middletonian wearing his Obama jacket again?

I was at the meeting and for the record most of those union people were from as far way as Tipp city Columbus cinn. Their scare tactic worked on council, I will admit that the resolution may have needed a little clarification,Picard should have give his thoughts before and not used it to find a way out of  voting for the legislation. AJ boy what piece of work,didn't surprise me any. Hes the unions rep. in this meeting they were their because they listened to him thats very weak when the unions are letting AJ smith lead them.