Praise for Collective Bargaining and the Battle of Ohio
Professor McNay tells the inspiring story of how the people of Ohio came together and successfully waged an epic battle against those who were trying to strip them of their collectively bargaining rights. But it was more than a fight to protect members of organized labor, it was a fight to protect all Ohioans from the destructive actions of arrogant right-wing politicians and their greedy corporate benefactors. Unfortunately, it is a struggle we see unfolding in many places across America today. For that reason, I believe that everyone who wants our country to be a place where workers are respected and the middle class can thrive, should read this book and share it with others.
—Gov. Ted Strickland, former governor of Ohio, 2007-2011.
Professor McNay was on the front lines of the fight to defend the economic security of middle class families and to ensure that Ohioans could continue to have a fair say in the workplace. From its roots in the American experience to the defeat of SB 5 at the hands of Ohio voters, his story superbly captures the essence of our struggle.
—Sen. Nina Turner, Ohio Senate
Professor McNay effectively frames the battle of SB5 as another lesson in history where corporate backed interests and political ideologues sought to further consolidate their power and wealth by denying rights and freedoms of the American worker. He is correct to suggest that this was a classic struggle between the radical right and everyday workers, one where organized labor drew on its rich history as a movement for social and economic justice, sending SB5 to the legislative trash heap of failed political power grabs.
—Tim Burga, President, Ohio AFL-CIO
With clarity and insight, John McNay details the life cycle of SB 5, the attack on collective bargaining rights in Ohio. McNay begins with the flawed economic theories leading to the attacks, continues with the partisan politics that pushed through the legislation against the will of the people, and ends with the successful repeal of the law due to the labor unions and community members across the state coming together to protect their rights. Along the way, McNay highlights the specific attacks on higher education institutions that led to unprecedented political involvement by the AAUP which was instrumental in defeating SB 5. This book is a must read for understanding the fight for rights - both collective bargaining and voter rights - that began in Ohio after the last gubernatorial election.
—Melissa Cropper, President, Ohio Federation of Teachers
