An Ohio union for state workers endorses, why can't ORTA? John Curry, Dennis Leone and RH Jones

From John Curry, October 29, 2010

Dennis and others....you recall correctly.......it's strange when an organization supposedly is pro-retiree and then remains silent when the retirees' collective backs are up against the wall.

Of course, they do specialize in mashed potatoes, meatloaf and green beans, don't they? The sad fact of the matter is.....the majority of their membership really doesn't know what has happened or is happening at 275 East Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio.

John

From Dennis Leone, October 29, 2010

Subject: RE: An Ohio union for state workers endorses, why can't ORTA?

If I recall correctly, when ORTA consciously and deliberately chose not to endorse Dennis Leone as an STRS Board retiree candidate in 2005, the association received a good deal of flack from its membership. In response, ORTA pledged never to endorse a candidate for anything again. Leone was the top vote getter among 7 candidates that year, but not endorsed by ORTA and vigorously opposed by OEA. Both organizations endorsed Dave Speas, a fact which frankly caused his defeat. Something we should never forget. ORTA also tried in 2003 to ignore Leone’s 13-page report about STRS spending abuses, which the membership also did not appreciate. Very strange times………

From RH Jones, October 29, 2010

Subject: An Ohio union for state workers endorses, why can't ORTA?

To all retired educators: a message from retired teacher RHJones

Concerning the health of our OH STRS pension, in an extremely crucial election this next Tuesday, Nov 2, our ORTA, sadly, has not served the membership’s interests. It is too conservatively dominated to the point that they remain silent. However, the OH AFL-CIO, a union for state workers, wisely endorsed candidates in their member’s best interests. The proof follows as I quote part of a pamphlet mailed to a retired state worker. Here it is:

We’ve worked too hard to lose everything now.

We spend day after day, year after year working. Working …To pay the bills. To have a home. To have a happy holiday. To help our children. To, someday, stop working.

After years of showing up everyday, on time, doing our jobs the right way and for the right reasons, we expect to have something set aside.

NOW JOHN KASICH WANTS TO TAKE THAT ALL AWAY.

As a Congressman he worked hand-in-hand with bankers and fund managers to weaken Social Security and force us to rely on private investments – the same kind of ‘savings’ that tanked when the market crashed.

As a candidate for Governor, he’s proposing slashing public pensions and outsourcing thousands of Ohio jobs to private corporations – a plan that will entitle corporate executives to potentially receive six-figure taxpayer-paid bonuses while we twist in the wind.

WE WORK HARD EVERY DAY, BUT WE’RE ASKING YOU TO STAND UP ONCE MORE TO FIGHT FOR ALL OF OUR FUTURES: VOTE.

GOVERNOR TED STRICKLAND IS FIGHTING FOR US AND WE NEED TO RETURN HIM TO OFFICE. …