As a result of one of the most concerted and organized efforts in labor history, this attempt to gut collective bargaining with this “union-busting” failed experiment was thrown out. We have just returned from Ohio, where many members of the National Troopers Coalition were obvious by their activism in assisting to defeat Senate Bill 5 (Issue 2).  We have just been part of a tide-turning event that swings the pendulum back towards labor.  We have to recognize troopers who unselfishly volunteered their time from the states of Delaware, New York, Indiana, Minnesota, and Illinois, and the troopers from those states who came out to take up the cause.
 

Left to Right:  Charlie DiSanto (NY), Bill Staviski (NY). Tom Mungeer (NY), Mike Cosgrove (DE), Dennis Hallion (Exec Dir), Tom Brackin (DE), Mark Robillard (NY), Rich Mulvaney (Counsel), Dan Sisto (NY)

Executive Board members Chairman Mat Hodapp, Corresponding Secretary Tom Mungeer, Treasurer Bill Staviski, East Regional Coordinator Tom Brackin, Counsel Rich Mulvaney, and Executive Director Dennis Hallion  were also present.  The contingent worked the grass roots efforts that involved walking the streets and neighborhoods of Akron, Fairlawn, Struthers, Youngstown, Columbus, and Canton.  Doors were knocked on, voters motivated, and flyers passed out.  Troopers traveled to Columbus, “The Belly of the Beast”, and were welcomed warmly by the Ohio State Fraternal Order of Police and leadership of the national FOP, as well as the National and Ohio International Association of Firefighters, the National Education Association, AFL-CIO and AFSCME leaders.  We attended several rallies with IAFF President Harold Shaitberger and NEA President Dennis Van Roekel.

Left to Right: Kent James (IL), Lance Langford (MN), Mathew Hodapp (MN), Akron FOP President Paul Hlynsky, Chris Southwood (IL), Joe Moon (IL), Kevin Kloss (MN), Steve Clemente (IL)