OFT backs Strickland -- What about OEA? Maybe they want Petro, Montgomery or Blackwell!

Press Release, January 13, 2006

Ohio Federation of Teachers Endorses Strickland for Governor

Columbus, Ohio - The Ohio Federation of Teachers announced today their endorsement of Congressman Ted Strickland for Ohio governor.

"Ohio desperately needs new leadership to reverse the state's economic and educational decline. We believe Ted Strickland is the person who can lead Ohio to a brighter future that is based on a strong system of education," said OFT President Tom Mooney. "All paths to a stronger future run through creating an education system that offers every child every opportunity for an up-to-date education. The people leading our state in the last seven years don't get that."

"This great union represents some of the hardest working educators and educational professionals in Ohio today. I am grateful and humbled by the support given to me by the Ohio Federation of Teachers," Strickland said. "I look forward to working with the members of OFT and all educators and educational professionals in Ohio to revitalize our education system."

"I will be a law-abiding Governor and will make Ohio a law-abiding state by finally obeying the Ohio Supreme Court and funding our schools fully and fairly," Strickland said. "Working together, we can create an educational system in Ohio that will set the pace for rest of the nation."

The Ohio Federation of Teachers represents more than 20,000 members in 54 local unions across the state that include public education employees, higher education faculty and support staff, and public employees.

To date, labor unions representing more than 350,000 Ohio workers and retirees have announced their support of Strickland to be Ohio's next governor.

Other labor organizations that have endorsed Strickland include the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council; Ohio State Council of Machinists; Western Reserve Building and Construction Trades Council; Ohio Laborers' District Council; Tri-County Building Trades Council; Ohio's United Mine Workers; Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council; United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT); United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1099; Laborers Local 310 in Cleveland; Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 577; Shawnee District AFL-CIO Council; Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 168; Boilermakers Local Lodge 105; Boilermakers Local 154; and United Steelworkers Local 2L.

The delegates of the Cleveland AFL-CIO, Federation of Labor, have announced their unanimous support for Strickland, as well.