Ohio Workers Keep Fighting

Today in Ohio, Senate Bill 5 is being discussed and amended in a hearing in the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee. According to State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-33 Canfield), the controversial bill should be granted more public hearing before it is released from committee. A vote to send the bill to the Senate floor will come Wednesday or Thursday. Senate Bill 5 restrains the rights of public employees to negotiate new labor contracts, prohibits state employees from collectively bargaining, and only allows county and municipal employees and public school teachers to bargain for wages and benefits. Research center Innovation Ohio found that Ohio’s teachers, on average, saw a pay cut of 4% from 2008 to 2009, when the national average was just 2%. For the last few weeks thousands of protesters have rallied at the statehouse in Columbus to voice their opposition. Nonetheless, the thousands of protesters and a very telling public opinion poll sponsored by The New York Times and CBS News that finds 60% of Americans not in favor of repealing collective bargaining rights for public employee unions, to 33% in favor, is having a big impact. According to Plunderbund.com four Republican senators already oppose the bill, and three others are listed as ready to vote no on the current version of the bill. As rallies commenced today at 10am, Republican lawmakers are under pressure!