Anti-Union Legislation (Right To Work)

Right To Work Battle Begins With Bill Introductions; Senate President Faber Says Support Appears Lacking

A debate over potential changes to law governing union membership and the payment of union dues heated up Wednesday when two House Republicans formally introduced their “right to work” proposals in the House.

Democrats said the proposals from Rep. Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) and Rep. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) represent the return of a now-repealed collective bargaining law (SB5) that drew tens of thousands of protesters to the Statehouse during the last session.

Later Wednesday, Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina), said right to work isn’t on his agenda that is focused on job creation and economic recovery.

“After discussions with other leaders and my caucus, I don’t believe there is current support for this issue in the General Assembly,” he said.

“The only purpose this discussion serves right now is to generate a bunch of breathless fundraising appeals from the Ohio Democratic Party.”

The sponsors said the proposal only makes sure that Ohio’s public sector workers aren’t forced to join unions to get and hold their jobs.

Rep. Roegner

Ms. Roegner’s bill addresses private sector workers, while Mr. Maag’s proposal impacts only the public sector. A third proposal – a joint resolution – would allow lawmakers to put the constitutional amendment before voters this November. If adopted by both chambers, the resolution would go to the ballot without Gov. John Kasich‘s signature.

Ms. Roegner said the change, which supporters also describe as workplace freedom, would eliminate “compulsory unionism” that forces some Ohioans who don’t want to be members to pay union dues.

“We believe that every employee should have the right to choose themselves,” she said. “There should be no barriers to personal freedom in this state.”

The lawmaker noted that Michigan and Indiana recently became right to work states, and those changes will strengthen their ability to attract Ohio businesses and companies that are looking for Midwest locations.

Rep. Maag

Mr. Maag said there is a significant amount of evidence showing that states that have right to work laws are experiencing stronger population and economic growth.

He added that he feels that unions have a right and responsibility to organize, but said the proposals block unions from “strong-arming” people into joining. “Every Ohio worker should have the right to choose whether a union is right for them,” he said.

Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) said studies show that right to work states are better off economically, with a higher rate of income growth per capita.

Ms. Roegner said the bill did not come from the governor’s office, and that there have been no assurances that the plans will move in the House.

The lawmaker said members opted to split the bills between public and private sector employers only to give the legislature more flexibility in processing the legislation.

Both she and Rep. Rep. Matt Lynch (R-Bainbridge) said they felt right to work is completely different than SB5, which placed new limits on the collective bargaining process.

Instead of adding limits, she said RTW gives workers more options. “To me, this is quite the opposite issue,” she said.

Mr. Lynch added, “This is not a restriction of rights, rather an expansion of rights.”

House Democrats said the proposal could rekindle the type of opposition that nearly brought the Statehouse to a standstill last session, dubbing the proposal “right to work for less.”

Rep. Tracy Heard (D-Columbus), the chamber’s minority whip, said it seemed Republicans had “a bit of amnesia” considering voters’ response to the collective bargaining law.

Right to work is “worse” than that law, and members will fight in the legislature and in the field if necessary to defeat the plan, she said. “The answer remains the same. No means no.”

“This is not about making workers free,” Rep. Heard added. “This is about taking away their rights.”

Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-Athens) said lawmakers should be working together on bipartisan policies that bring benefits for all people. “The people of Ohio want to see an agenda that moves Ohio forward…not an agenda that seeks to divide us from one another,” she said.

But if parties insist on advancing the measures, Ms. Phillips said a strong coalition is prepared to dispel myths – including one which she said suggests that certain employees must join unions – and defeat the plan. “We are ready for the fight. This is the wrong direction for Ohio.”

Tim Burga, president of the Ohio AFL-CIO, said that while Ohioans want lawmakers to work together, “extreme legislators” are pushing a plan that attacks the middle class, drives down wages and makes employees and communities less safe. “It doesn’t have to be like this,” he said.

Joe Rugola, director of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, said right to work laws are common in the nation’s poorest, most unhealthy and undereducated states. Ohio shouldn’t strive to join that group, he said.

Mr. Rugola said the proposal is anti-Democratic in that it revokes members’ votes to form unions in the first place. If union members want to reverse course, they can already do that, he said.

“It’s our intention with every fiber of our being to make war with those who make war with our middle class,” he added.

Tracey Wright, a Youngstown Fire Department captain, said the policy not only threatens wages and hours, but also puts worker safety in jeopardy. She said RTW laws have the impact of prohibiting employees from voicing their concerns, which lead to further safety concerns for communities.

Jim Bonsky, a worker at Canton’s Republic Steel, said wages generally fall and unemployment generally rises in states that have similar laws in place. Additionally, fewer people have quality health care.

“These policies are bad for workers and they’re bad for Ohio,” he said. “So-called right to work isn’t what it seems.”

Backers of the change have also been circulating petitions to put the question before voters.