The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

Graphic courtesy of Liv Ream; movie flyer from IMDB
In defense of Skinamarink
By Liv Ream, Arts and Entertainment Editor • October 1, 2023
Alternative Spring Break 2023 volunteers in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Natalie Mowad.
Applications open for Akron’s 2024 Alternative Spring Break
By Taylor Lorence, Correspondent • October 1, 2023
The Northern Cheyenne tribe and community walking the ancient Portage Path from Portage Path CLC to the John Brown Home during a previous years First Peoples Day event. Photo courtesy of Portage Path Collaborative.
UA Holds events in celebration of North American First People’s Day   
By Shananne Lewis, Online Editor • September 28, 2023
White swan on water during daytime photo - Free Uk Image on Unsplash
The Swan's Rapture: a poem
By Emily Price, editor in chief • September 27, 2023
Desperately Seeking an Amazon Fighter, sculpture by Kimberly Chapman
"Easy Prey" art exhibit on display at Myers School of Art
By Taylor Lorence, Reporter, Secretary • September 21, 2023
“On the left, there’s me at work! I received the New Student Orientation “Gold Standard” award alongside 
and at the same time as my friend Gillian.”
Courtesy of Connor VanMaele
Fall 2023 Print Edition: Going the Distance
By Connor VanMaele, Correspondent • September 19, 2023
L to R: Steve Horner, Heather Barhorst, Haley Kuczynski, Shawna Blankenship, Brynley Harris, Jessie Redwine at the Pop-Up Pantry. Image Courtesy of ZipAssist.
ZipAssist Holds Community Resource Fair Tuesday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the SU 2nd Floor
By Shananne Lewis, Correspondent • September 18, 2023
Film critic Liv Ream and friend pose for photo (Image via Liv Ream)
My Barbie experience
By Liv Ream, Film Critic • September 17, 2023

UA Chapter of AAUP to fight for its rights

The Ohio Conference of AAUP Chapters has joined a coalition of public employee unions to oppose Senate Bill 5.

After two days of testimony last week, the Ohio Senate’s Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 22 for a fourth hearing on the bill.  The coalition in opposition to this legislation, including the OCAAUP, has organized a rally at the Statehouse for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22.


The Ohio Conference of AAUP Chapters has joined a coalition of public employee unions to oppose Senate Bill 5.

After two days of testimony last week, the Ohio Senate’s Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 22 for a fourth hearing on the bill.  The coalition in opposition to this legislation, including the OCAAUP, has organized a rally at the Statehouse for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Ohio State Senate Bill 5, if passed, would make illegal collective bargaining among state employees, which includes all public school teachers and state university faculty members. The bill, which is primarily supported by the Republican Party, has gained a metaphorical stamp of approval from John Kasich, recently elected Ohio governor.

Representatives from other states are pushing for similar bills as well.  Republican Gov. Scott Walker (WI) is proposing legislature that would reduce the pension plans and health care benefits of Wisconsin teachers.  He also seeks to restrict their collective bargaining rights.  Public schools in Madison and a dozen other districts in Wisconsin closed as teachers joined the protest.

What Bill 5 is trying to do is to blame the middle class for current state of the economy, when there are other factors, said Dr. Walter Hixon, professor of history and media contact for Akron-AAUP.  Collective bargaining is not a broken system.  It was just used successfully when The University of Akron faculty negotiated new contracts earlier this year.

Thousands of teachers, nurses, firefighters and other unionized workers have stormed the Wisconsin Capitol, protesting Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s Senate proposal.  Initially it seemed that the proposal would pass, but then some Democrats went into hiding, leaving the body one vote shy of a quorum.  As of this writing, police are still seeking the missing lawmakers.

Like many Republican governors, Mitch Daniels of Indiana, Rick Scott of Florida and Chris Christie of New Jersey, Kasich wants to deplete the power of public employee unions, especially the teachers’ union, since public education is continually the single biggest expenditure for every state.

Akron students have a reason to worry even if they aren’t directly involved, said Hixon.  If this bill passes, Ohio may struggle to attract quality professors to the state.  The student’s quality of education may diminish.

While the rally begins at 1 p.m., Akron-AAUP chapter members are invited to meet at the new OCAAUP office by 12 p.m. on Tuesday.  The office is located at 137 East State St., Columbus, 43215 – only a half block from Capitol Square where the action will be.  For more information, please contact Dave Witt or Steve Aby via email at [email protected] or [email protected], or visit the Akron-AAUP website at http://www.akronaaup.org.v

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All comments that are well-informed, civil and relevant to the story are welcome. To leave a comment, please provide your name and email address. The Editorial Board reserves to right to remove any comment that is submitted under false pretenses or includes personal attacks, libel, hate speech, profanity, spam or inaccurate/misleading information. All comments are screened and are generally approved unless they are found to be found in violation of these standards. Readers who notice comments that appear to violate these standards are encouraged to contact the Online Editor at [email protected].
All The Buchtelite Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *