Crowds of public employees numbering in the thousands today protested a sweeping Ohio proposal to strip unions of collective bargaining rights. The groups were wearing red, in an effort to steer public opinion away from the idea that unions are all-Democrat organizations.
The protesters who came to Columbus were union members, including firefighters, teachers, police and state workers. They were joined by a smaller number of tea party activists who support the legislation. The measure would end collective bargaining and replace negotiated salary schedules with merit raises.
The bill represents the biggest challenge in recent memory to Ohio unions, emerging after Republicans took control of the Legislature and governor's office this year.
Governor John Kasich backs the bill and even more stringent union limitations.
His Democratic predecessor, Ted Strickland, made a brief appearance amid the crowd Thursday and drew cheers.
