Public employers need a 'Wall of Fame/Shame' on pension vote

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 1360

Memo to public employees: Call Billy Thompson, United Steelworkers District 8 director, and ask him about the “WORKER’S RIGHTS WALL OF FAME-WALL OF SHAME.”

It shows how lawmakers voted on a trio of union-busting bills in 2017.

Teachers, firefighters, police and others who work for state or local government might want their own "Wall" to reveal where senators and representatives stood on the GOP's pension-gutting bill, which Gov. Matt Bevin signed.

“I’d be happy to talk with them about it,” said the Frankfort-based Thompson.

The wall isn’t brick and mortar. It’s a long white canvas banner. Senators and representatives are grouped by their votes on a “right to work” law, legislation to repeal the prevailing wage and a measure to make it harder for some unions to collect dues through payroll deduction.

The "nays" -- Democrats and a few Republicans -- are on the "Wall of Fame" side of the banner. The "ayes" -- all Republicans -- are at on the other side, the "Wall of Shame."

Public employees are welcome to contact Thompson.

"They can come by my office, and I’ll show it to them and tell them where they can purchase one,” Thompson said.

His office is at 85C Michael Davenport Blvd. The phone number is 502-875-3332.

The Steelworkers unfurled the first “Wall” soon after the legislature adjourned last year. Since, the union has bought two more banners.

The “Walls” are loaned out to union halls across the state.

Wall of famers enjoy having their photo taken with the banner, which reflects the spirit of the famous old union song, “Which Side Are You On?”  

Republicans aren’t so fond of the banner. Once, some lawmakers, likely Republicans, called police to remove a group of Steelworkers and the banner from the Capitol parking garage.

The law officers refused to evict the union members and their sign.

Steelworkers Jeff Wiggins and Chris Ormes like the idea of a “Wall” banner for public employees. Ormes, a union activist from Bardstown, said the Steelworkers’ banner “draws attention every time we bring it to an event. It’s a reminder that we’ll never forget.”

Ormes hopes the public employees get a banner. So does Wiggins, who lives in Reidland, near Paducah, but works out of Frankfort as secretary-treasurer of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO.

“The teachers and the others need to show everybody the members of the legislature who voted for them and who voted against them,” Wiggins added. “They need to reward those who voted for them and punish those that didn’t at the ballot box.”