Ohio’s state workers fight back

The battle in Ohio is heating up over a referendum on the November ballot on whether to keep or kill the state’s Senate Bill 5, which severely restricts the collective-bargaining rights of 360,000 public employees. The measure, which Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed into law on March 31, was put on hold after a coalition of labor unions and Democrats, called We Are Ohio, submitted 915,456 signatures to put it to a vote.

The law, if retained, would prohibit bargaining over health insurance and pensions, substitute merit pay for step increases and bar negotiations over grievance procedures, layoff rules, shift assignments and staffing minimums and includes scores of other items that would negatively impact collective-bargaining rights.

Unions could still bargain on working conditions and wages, but management would have the right to impose its final contract offer if the two sides fail to reach a settlement. The law would also let public employees opt out of paying union dues or fees. Repealing Senate Bill 5 requires a majority “no” vote on the referendum.

A Quinnipiac University poll released on Sept. 27 showed that 51 percent of Ohio voters would repeal the law, compared with 38 percent who would keep it.

Dayton Daily News, Sept. 20

Toledo Blade, Sept. 27