Donnie Blatt, United Steelworkers District 1 Director, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how a Collective Bargaining Agreement can lead to a safer workplace and the move to end gerrymandering in Ohio.
Blatt discussed the trend in the U.S. regarding businesses that mirror the “Dirty Dozen,” an annual list of companies known for placing their employees in dangerous situations with little regard for their safety. He stated that policies and laws need to be structured to protect workers, and explained that unions, through Collective Bargaining Agreements, can mandate specific working conditions and make the workplace safer.
He then spoke about gerrymandering, which is happening in Ohio. The Steelworkers support the Citizens Not Politicians political action committee, which is pushing a petition drive to amend Ohio’s Constitution. The group is asking Ohio’s registered voters to sign a petition to place its amendment on the ballot. If passed, this Constitutional amendment would create a 15-member Redistricting Commission to draw Ohio’s legislative districts. Blatt called the amendment nonpartisan, as it would ban current or former politicians, political party officials and lobbyists from sitting on the Commission.
As of late April, the group is still working to collect the more than 400,000 signatures needed to put the amendment on the ballot. Blatt noted that Citizens Not Politicians has until mid-July to collect the required signatures.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about the plan to end gerrymandering in Ohio: