Ohio: Attacks on Workers’ Rights

 

The new Republican leadership in Ohio has pushed through sweeping legislation that guts collective bargaining rights for teachers and state and local government employees. Senate Bill 5 goes even further than similar legislation in other states, including a ban on public employee strikes, an end to automatic pay increases for public employees, and a watered-down binding arbitration process for police and firefighters. In response, the Ohio Federation of Teachers has joined with allies around the state to help overturn the legislation, which does nothing to help balance the state budget. If enough signatures are gathered, a referendum to overturn the law will be on the November ballot.

Watch our video: Ohio Federation of Teacher members rally against Senate Bill 5

Online resources

• Read legislative updates on the Ohio Federation of Teachers website.
• Become a fan of the Ohio Federation of Teachers on Facebook.
• Become a fan of Stand Up for Ohio on Facebook.
• Follow events in Ohio on Twitter: @OFTadvocate or #StandUpOH
• Follow the efforts to preserve workers rights on the Ohio AFL-CIO website.
• Keep up with the effort to repeal S.B. 5 on the We Are Ohio website.

AFT News

Ohio Vote Is a Big Victory for the Middle Class

Ohioans Make Final Push to Overturn Anti-Worker Law

We Are Ohio Surpasses Signatures Needed for Referendum

Ohioans Mobilize as Ballot Initiative Moves Forward

AFT Statement On OH Governor's Signing of Controversial Legislation

People Across Ohio Say 'Enough Is Enough'

Clergy Join Fight for Collective Bargaining in Ohio

Ohioans Turn Out in Force To Protest Anti-Union Bill

Media coverage and other links

Ballot language for Senate Bill 5 approved after hours-long meeting, The Plain Dealer

Secretary Of State Husted Certifies Signatures For Referendum On Senate Bill 5, Ohio SOS Press Release

SB 5 outlook looks grim in latest poll, Columbus Dispatch

Faith-based leaders blast Senate Bill 5, Tribune Chronicle

John Kasich, Michelle Rhee push policies harmful to Ohio schools, Cleveland.com

Update on Ohio efforts to repeal SB 5, Daily Kos

Most Ohio big city mayors do not like collective bargaining law Gov. John Kasich says was intended to help them, Cleveland.com

Kasich signs SB5, but fight isn't over, Columbus Dispatch

Poll: Voters disapprove of Kasich's bargaining battle, overall performance, Toledo Blade

Ohio Democrats feeling revived, Cincinnati.com

Ohio Town Sees Public Job as Only Route to Middle Class, New York Times

Does Ohio really hope to save itself by turning its public labor unions into the enemy?, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Legislative testimony by Policy Matters Ohio

"Teachers, local officials may lose ability to negotiate work contracts under bill," Dayton Daily News

"Crowd descends on Ohio Statehouse to protest changes to collective bargaining," Cleveland Plain Dealer