Sun Sep 9, 2018, 04:40 AM

Ohio Democratic Party in labor dispute with campaign workers

COLUMBUS — The party of organized labor in this state has run into a little labor friction of its own as the Ohio Democratic Party negotiates its first contract with a fledgling union representing about 80 on-the-ground campaign workers.

The Washington-based Campaign Workers Guild sent a letter to county party chairmen to express frustration that state party Chairman David Pepper and Executive Director Greg Beswick haven’t been personally at the table in negotiations and, the party has hired a law firm that tends to financially support Republicans.

The dispute has put the party that usually has the backing of organized labor into the position of management during contract negotiations.

“These are hardworking workers, and it has been easy in the past for this type of worker to get taken advantage of,” Mr. Pepper said. “We’re proud to be the first state party in the nation to recognize the union, and we’re now working through the details.”

Read more: http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2018/09/07/Ohio-Democratic-Party-in-labor-dispute-with-campaign-workers-politics-election/stories/20180907136

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3 replies	Author	Time	Post
Ohio Democratic Party in labor dispute with campaign workers (Original post)	TexasTowelie	Sep 2018	OP
good grief....	chillfactor	Sep 2018	#1
Good thinking, Dems. Fight with your own union in a toss up state just before election.	Midnight Writer	Sep 2018	#2
I hope the contract mirrors the party goals...	MichMan	Sep 2018	#3

Response to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sun Sep 9, 2018, 05:25 AM

chillfactor (6,313 posts)

1. good grief....

that is all we don't need....Democrats fighting among themselves.

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Response to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sun Sep 9, 2018, 06:21 AM

Midnight Writer (6,047 posts)

2. Good thinking, Dems. Fight with your own union in a toss up state just before election.

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Response to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sun Sep 9, 2018, 03:51 PM

MichMan (3,446 posts)

3. I hope the contract mirrors the party goals...

...as established in the DNC platform. Either you subscribe to these or you don't. If not, you run a serious risk of being called hypocritical in the upcoming election, if you won't provide them to your own employees.

I think everyone here on DU would agree with these principles ;

$15 per hour

12 weeks paid family and medical leave

7 days paid sick leave

Vacations

Defined benefit pensions

“Unfortunately, this excitement has not held at the bargaining table, where we’ve been continually disappointed and angered as the ODP has refused to present proposals that ensure us the union protections and provide us the working conditions we need and deserve,” the letter reads.

“After several day-long bargaining sessions, the ODP has made it clear to us that they are not serious about negotiating a fair contract that lives up to our Democratic values.”

"The union says that the party has proposed an hourly wage, depending on the number of hours, of $12.25 per hour that would decline to $10.50 as Election Day approaches. It claims the party has offered a mileage or car allowance proposal that wouldn’t cover the cost of gas for workers required to use their own vehicles."

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