The Freedom Foundation trolls Ohio workers while their unions bargain for better pay

Regarding the Freedom Foundation’s March 13 column, “Public workers quitting unions after learning where dues go,” that group has done zero for Ohio’s working men and women. While our union bought personal protective equipment for public employees; purchased computers for teleworkers; signed dozens of agreements to ensure no layoffs or furloughs; bargained a contract with the largest state employee pay raise in 15 years, the Freedom Foundation was paying trolls to get our members’ private information to harass them at home and on the job … during a pandemic!

We’ve lost 3,000 union members — to other jobs. Like every organization, COVID and the Great Resignation caused staffing levels to plunge and people to leave their jobs. In state prisons alone, we’re short 1,700 correction officers.

So why isn’t the Freedom Foundation helping us make public employment more attractive, better compensated, with greater benefits? They say they’re anti-”union bosses,” but they’re really anti-“union.” They don’t believe workers should have a unified voice. But public employees took care of Ohioans during this pandemic against all odds, and will be here — as will their unions — for the next one, long after the Freedom Foundation has slithered into the darkness.

Chris Mabe,

Westerville

Chris Mabe is president of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association.