Workers Push Back on Move to Weaken Ohio Bargaining Law

Ohio political observers expect Gov. Elect John Kasich (R) and his Republican allies in the state legislature to take aim the Buckeye States’ 1984 law that protects collective bargaining rights for public employees.

Kasich attacked public employees [1] during the campaign and Cleveland Plain Dealer [2] columnist Brent Larkin writes:

Kasich and the Republican-run legislature might just propose changes to Ohio’s collective-bargaining laws that precipitate an epic fight with Democrats and their allies in organized labor.

But Andy Richards, Ohio AFL-CIO [3] Field Communications staffer, says workers in Middletown last night won one of the first skirmishes in the battle to protect workers’ rights. He files this report.

More than 100 union members and their allies packed the Middletown City Council chambers to show strong opposition and speak out against a resolution calling on the state legislature to weaken the current collective bargaining law. The council voted 6 to 1 to table the resolution. After the meeting, Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 336 President John Harvey said the council

took a strong stand tonight in support of our community and the middle class. As a proud fire fighter, I work hard everyday to provide the best services to residents in Middletown and Butler County.  This resolution would have put our services at risk by taking away a process that has provided stability and cooperation between workers and local, county and state government agencies.

Ohio AFL-CIO President Joe Rugola said “Ohioans and workers know this resolution would have been a step in the wrong direction for communities across the state.”

The collective bargaining law has helped to create a relationship between workers and public administrators that has fostered greater consistency and stability in delivery of services.