Breaking: The anti-middle-class Senate Bill 5 passed the Ohio Senate by a 17-16 vote, after several unorthodox maneuvers by the Republican leadership to ram the bill through despite the huge public outcry against it.

"Shame on us," said Sen. Tim Grendell (R-Cleveland) while speaking against the bill. The deciding vote in favor of the job-killing bill was cast by freshman Sen. Frank LaRose (R) from Akron.

S.B. 5 next heads to the Ohio House, where representatives need to hear how much their constituents oppose restricting union rights for public-sector workers.

Twenty-thousand working people throughout Ohio made history Tuesday rallying for the middle class on the Statehouse lawn.

Union leaders, students and faith leaders called for defeating Ohio Senate Bill 5 because it removes most collective bargaining rights for public-sector employees. Speakers emphasized the importance of having each participant remain united in the growing struggle.

SEIU took the stage at the Ohio Statehouse "Rally for the Middle Class"  with a performance of union songs by the Solidarity Brothers.

International SEIU President Mary Kay Henry congratulated the audience for inspiring workers around the world with their actions.

"Game on, Mr. Kasich!" declared Lynn Radcliffe, an SEIU 1199 member vice president who assists special needs children for Cleveland schools.

SEIU 1199 member and parole officer Tom Guyer told the audience he felt betrayed by Kasich's anti-union measures after having personally supported the governor's recent election.

Fresh from similar protests at the Wisconsin capitol, the band Street Dogs played a rousing set of labor songs to the late-afternoon crowd.

On Tuesday, March 1, we will be streaming the rally live. Thousands of working people from around Ohio will be gathering together to fight back against attacks on the middle class. If you are unable to attend the event, please be sure to tune in here, at fightforafaireconomy.org.

Join community, faith and labor leaders this Tuesday, March 1 for a "Rally for the Middle Class" at the Ohio Statehouse. The rally is planned to oppose recent anti-worker schemes, including Ohio Senate Bill 5, and it will kick off at noon with music, speakers and solidarity for working people.

To RSVP for the event, click this link.  We will meet at the SEIU District 1199 Columbus office (1395 Dublin Rd. Columbus, OH 43215) at 10:45 am for a quick briefing and lunch, and then leave at 11 am for the rally.  Buses will be leaving from Cleveland and Youngstown at 8 am.  Buses will depart after the end of the event, about 5 pm.

To open a PDF file of the flyer, click here.

Irene Carpenter's grandson is enjoying a last-minute iPad Christmas gift from his grandmother, who as an SEIU 1199 member recently won a contest held by the International Union.

Irene is a nearly 40-year employee of the Forum Health system in Youngstown who now works in the Sterile Processing Department at Northside Medical Center. Irene's grandson attends Younstown State University.

Pictured presenting Irene with the award is James Brown, her representative on the local union's Executive Board.

SEIU District 1199 leaders met at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland on Dec. 7 to address union members' various workplace concerns and to make plans for maintaining contract standards that promote quality care.

SEIU 1199 President Becky Williams and Sr. Vice President Al Bacon joined with the Union's Executive Board representatives Eugene Jordan and Marsha Liverpool and Grievance Chair Jacqueline O'Neal to work through member concerns, and the group also received reports of declining hospital revenues from St. Vincent administrators. Union participants said they laid the groundwork for further progress in strengthening the voice of SEIU 1199 members at the hospital.