Dear FOP Members and Supporters:
Public employees in the United States are under attack. We are being scapegoated for financial problems we did not create. Of all of the battles being fought to preserve our rights, we all need to turn our attention to what is happening in Ohio right now. The rights of public employees everywhere depend on the outcome of the Ohio Issue 2 referendum on November 8th to have the public veto the gutting of Ohio’s collective bargaining law. Politicians are using unsupported rhetoric to strip law enforcement officers of their rights, of their pensions, and of their jobs.
I come to you now, because we need your help. The forces trying to strip us of our rights have major financial backers, and they are outspending us at every turn. They are poised to spend 50 million dollars to take away our bargaining rights. The polls are getting closer. Our opponents have closed the gap by 11 points since June. (http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1322.xml?ReleaseID=1651.) The Ohio FOP needs all of our help if they are going to succeed in protecting our rights. This fight costs money, and that is where we can help. The Ohio FOP needs to raise an additional $150,000 in the next three weeks.
I am issuing a challenge to all of you, your members and your lodges to stand with the FOP of Ohio as it fights to preserve collective bargaining rights for all of us. We aren’t asking you to break the bank. Give what you can afford. Every dollar helps. Give $20, $50, $100 or a $1,000 whatever you, your members, and your lodge can afford and maybe a few dollars more. Sending money today will save your lodges from fighting this fight tomorrow. We all need to give all that we can to win this, not just for Ohio,
but for all of us.
If the anti-bargaining politicians have their way, the consequences will have a negative effect for every public employee in the country. If Ohio falls, I guarantee you the rest of our states will fall like dominoes, threatening the safety and livelihood of every one of our members.
The Ohio FOP as part of the We Are Ohio coalition of police officers, teachers, firefighters, other public employees, including members of both political parties is working hard to get the word out and encourage people to Vote No on Issue 2. We MUST make sure that the No on Issue 2 campaign succeeds.
Send a check to the OHIO FOP, 222 E. Town St, Columbus OH 43215 or Go to SavePublicSafety.com to donate today by credit card. Only with your help will we be able to win this fight and make the politicians to treat us with the respect we deserve.
Fraternally,
Chuck Canterbury
National FOP President