Local Labor Leaders, Workers Host “Workers for Sherrod” Tour Stop in Mansfield

MANSFIELD, OH – Today, “Workers for Sherrod” co-chairs Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mike Knisley and Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined USW Local 169 President Steve Ackerman and IBEW 688 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Brian McPeek to host a “Workers for Sherrod” statewide tour stop in Mansfield.

The “Workers for Sherrod” statewide tour is highlighting Sherrod’s record delivering for Ohio workers and fighting for the Dignity of Work, the belief that hard work should pay off for everyone, with stops across Ohio. Ohio workers are lining up behind Sherrod, citing his fight to save the pensions of over 100,000 Ohio workers and his commitment to making sure every family has a path to the middle class.

“Sherrod fought to include the strongest ever Buy America provisions in the  Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make sure that our bridges, roads, and runways – like those at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport – are made by American workers with materials made right here in America,” said Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary Treasurer Mike Knisley. “Beyond his legislative achievements, Sherrod’s investment in the next generation through apprenticeship programs and summer manufacturing camps is commendable. He is working to create more careers in the Trades – where Ohioans have a path to the middle class – accessible to everyone. Under Sherrod’s leadership, the lives of Ohioans are undeniably better.”

“I can confidently say the choice for Senate in Ohio is crystal clear. Sherrod has consistently stood by Ohio workers, and I’ve had the privilege of witnessing his steadfast dedication firsthand,” said Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga. “The Dignity of Work is more than just a slogan for Sherrod, it’s how he wakes up and does his job every day. I’m glad to be here in Sherrod’s hometown – the place that sparked his dedication to fighting for the dignity of all workers.” 

“Sherrod has always stood strong with us to crack down on illegal steel dumping from foreign companies and even stood up to his own party to block bad trade deals that harm Ohio steelworkers and ship Ohio jobs overseas,” said USW Local 169 President Steve Ackerman.  “While Sherrod will work with anyone when it’s in the best interest of Ohio workers and stand up to anyone when it’s not, his opponent has shown time and again that he only looks out for himself.”

“When Sherrod began his career, he would spend his time in union halls in Mansfield, talking to workers about the issues that matter most to them,” said IBEW 688 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Brian McPeek. “That’s how he’s spent his whole career: listening to workers and then delivering for them. And no one has fought harder for Ohio workers than Sherrod Brown – he saved the pensions of more than 100,000 Ohioans, he’s stood on the picket lines with us, and he’s fought to protect our overtime pay.”

Please find photos and video of the Workers For Sherrod event for media use here.

Sherrod has always fought for workers and the Dignity of Work to make sure hard work pays off for everyone:

• Sherrod worked to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with prevailing wage requirements, creating good-paying jobs for workers in the trades across Ohio while rebuilding our infrastructure. Thanks to Sherrod’s work ensuring that American infrastructure is built with American-made supplies by American workers, IDEAL Electrical in Mansfield received their largest order in 15 years.
• Sherrod secured resources for the 179th Mansfield Airlift Wing and successfully advocated to bring the Cyber Warfare Wing to the Mansfield base, creating more than 100 new jobs.
• Sherrod has always stood up against bad trade deals like NAFTA that shipped Ohio jobs overseas and is fighting to make sure workers have a seat at the table for all trade agreements.
• When Wall Street gambled away workers’ retirement savings, Sherrod led the years-long fight to pass the Butch Lewis Act – which successfully saved the pensions of over 100,000 Ohioans. Sherrod named the bill after Butch Lewis, an Ohio Teamster.
• Sherrod led the CHIPS and Science Act to ensure the future of technology is built in Ohio, by Ohio workers.
• Sherrod is also working to grow the next generation of Ohio workers by organizing summer manufacturing camps across Ohio, including in Mansfield, that give young people an opportunity to learn about a future in the industry.

• Sherrod wrote and passed the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan bill to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl into Mansfield and Ohio communities across the state.

• Sherrod condemned the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) ruling on tariffs after pushing them to extend anti-dumping policies and protect Ohio’s steel industry from unfair trade practices.
• Sherrod introduced the Restoring Overtime Pay Act to enshrine overtime pay protections into law and expand who qualifies for overtime pay so millions more Americans are paid for the hours they work.

Click here to read more about the “Workers for Sherrod” coalition.

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