Law impacting public unions moves to House

The Ohio Senate voted Wednesday in favor of Senate Bill 5, a law that would restrict collective bargaining for some workers. The bill is moving on to Ohio’s House of Representatives.

The bill, in a nutshell, is designed to limit the bargaining rights for public workers in the State of Ohio. The public workers include police officers, firefighters, teachers and others. Unions could still exist, but striking would be illegal and there is a limit on what things can be bargained for.

For example, unions could still negotiate working conditions and hours, but healthcare and sick time off cannot be bargained.

Those in favor of the bill see it as a way to help the budget deficit the state is facing, while those against it see it as unfair.

Senator David T. Daniels, representing the eastern part of Lawrence County, supported the bill.

“I think it’s a necessary step facing the $8 billion budget shortfall we’re going to have as a state,” he said. “It is important to give units of local government the tools that they need to help manage the fewer dollars they’ll receive from the state.”

Daniels said he recognizes it is an emotional issue with many people, but he said it is necessary in the long run to keep more public workers employed.

“It’s important to note that Senate Bill 5 does not end collective bargaining in the State of Ohio. It does not reduce salaries for public employees and it does not eliminate unions,” Daniels said. “It simply sets guidelines for what can and cannot be negotiated between public sector employees and management and the taxpayer.”

The bill will go before a committee in the House of Representatives and, if it makes to the House floor for a vote, the outcome will determine what happens next.

If the House votes it through, it would move on to Gov. John Kasich, who has publicly shown his support of the bill. He issued the following statement:

“I applaud President Niehaus, Senator Jones and Senator Bacon for their leadership, and I appreciate the courage and resolve members of the Senate have shown in working with me to get Ohio back on track. This is a major step forward in correcting the imbalance between taxpayers and the government unions that work for them. Our state, counties, cities and school districts need the flexibility to reduce their costs and better manage their workforces, and taxpayers deserve to be treated with more fairness. Senate Bill 5 is just one piece of a larger plan to create a jobs-friendly climate in Ohio that is essential to returning prosperity to our state.”

Rep. John Carey, 87th District, said he has some concerns about the bill as is and is hesitant to show support for it this early on. The new guidelines for health insurance coverage for public workers is one of his concerns. Another is the idea of merit pay raises.

“I don’t think that has been completely hashed out,” Carey said.

Carey said he has sponsored legislation in the past requiring bargaining to have parameters around it, but doesn’t think Senate Bill 5 is up to par for his complete support yet.

“It would have to have significant changes before I would consider voting for it,” Carey said.

If changes are made in the House, the bill would be sent back to the Senate for approval.

Rep. Terry Johnson, 89th District, opposes the bill and released the following statement:

“The problems currently impacting southern Ohio are inter-related and tend to worsen each other. That is why I stand with the working families of our area on Senate Bill 5.

“Without good jobs and hope for the future people are more inclined to grow desperate and fall prey to drugs and other things.

“What I stand for is not about politics, it is about solving problems and creating hope. Each life we save and every job we create or keep in southern Ohio brings us a step closer to success.

“I plan to stand firm for all residents of the district and will not let the interests of any one group overcome my efforts to work for the benefit of all in the area.

“I oppose the thought that eliminating collective bargaining for state employees will solve all our problems. I believe that management and labor working together is the key to success. Weakening the position of our teachers, prison workers, and others would only hurt the area.

“I was elected to serve all the residents of this district and that is exactly what I intend to do. My loyalty is to the people of this area -not to any special interest group.”

Wes Hairston, Rock Hill superintendent, said he would like to see how the bill does in the House before making too many judgments, but said he is a supporter of collective bargaining.

“I think it’s a good process for union and management,” Hairston said. “It’s a fair way to do things.”

Regarding what he knows of Senate Bill 5 at this point, Hairston said there is both good and bad in it.

“There are a lot of issues about what happens with employee sick days, severance packages and people retiring,” he said. “That’s something that needs to be looked at.”

He added that sick days, seniority and healthcare are all something that should be part of collecting bargaining.

“There should be a negotiating process to everything involving unions and management,” Hairston said.

Sgt. Pam Wagner, representing the Ironton Police Department and its union, said the bill isn’t good for workers.

“I think Ohio workers are taking the brunt of a budget crisis that is not our fault,” Wagner said.

Wagner said limiting collective bargaining is her biggest concern with the bill, and she also noted that her union has given concessions in the past, picking up more on insurance, giving up raises and giving up equipment.

“It’s kind of like our justice system. It might not be perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got,” she said.

Senate Bill 5, as passed by the Ohio Senate, can be viewed at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_5_PS_N.html