It hadn’t even gotten to the desk of Gov. John Kasich yet opponents of Senate Bill 5, colloquially known as the collective bargaining bill, were planning their next strategy.

On Wednesday Republican lawmakers gave their final approval to the bill that would weaken collective bargaining for about 360,000 public union workers.

Both Rep. Terry Johnson and Rep. John Carey, who represent Lawrence County in the House, voted against their party.

“I voted against Senate Bill 5 because I truly believe that the bill is not in the best interest of my district,” Johnson said in an email statement. “It is now up to the voters of Ohio to decide if they will accept this decision or choose to pursue a referendum on the issue.”

Locally, the question of a possible referendum depends on who is questioned.

Ironton police Capt. Joe Ross expects petitions to be distributed among Ironton union members to get the issue on the ballot.

“It is going to take approximately $600 to $650 a month out of our paychecks,” Ross said. “If the bill goes forth, we will end up paying 15 percent of our insurance and 10 percent of retirement. You talk to anyone who pays into state retirement, it is not affecting people who work in the city of Ironton, but as many people in the state are affected. I am pretty sure they can get the referendum.”

The Ironton Police is represented by the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police Local 75.

“We will get signatures down here at the police department, the fire department and will send them up to the state lodge,” Ross said.

Candace Picklesimer is a retired southern Ohio teacher with 30 years in the classroom — 20 years at Symmes Valley and 10 at South Webster school districts. She isn’t as sure that a referendum is possible.

“It is hard to say. People aren’t concerned enough,” she said. “They think it doesn’t affect them, if they aren’t in a union. I think it is frightening. There is so much more in it than has been made public. … Like the part we can’t talk to our elected representatives during negotiations. How can they do that in America. You should be able to talk to your elected representative. It takes away basic freedoms.

“All it is is union busting. I am a registered Republican but I vote both ways and am really conservative. I can’t vote Republican anymore. If this is their agenda, I can’t do it.”