by Laura Clawson, Daily Kos Labor
With the vote to repeal Ohio's Senate Bill 5, which eliminates most collective bargaining rights for public employees, coming up in November—it's on the ballot as Issue 2, and a "no" vote is a vote for repeal—Ohio is taking a look at how things would look if the law went into effect. The Dayton Daily News itemizes some of what would happen to state workers. The basic way the law works is this:Grievance procedures, layoff rules, shift assignments, staffing minimums, health care coverage and scores of other items will be off the table. The union could still bargain on working conditions and wages, but management would have the right to impose its last offer if the two sides reach impasse.
Specific effects could include:
State workers pay 16.9 percent of the health care premium for a single plan and 17.8 percent for family plan coverage, according to the State Employment Relations Board health care survey. However, under SB 5 the union will have no say in what sort of health plans are offered and what kind of co-pays workers face.[...]
The bill allows “safety forces” to negotiate for personal safety equipment, such as bullet-proof vests or firefighter gear but gives the unions no say in minimum staffing rules such as how many guards must work a shift at a state prison.
The American Independent focuses on how SB 5 would affect teachers and schools:
...for teachers, it will also take away their power to negotiate for smaller classrooms, better supplies and professional development days, among other things, all issues that impact students’ ability to learn.
Though the bill has not gone into effect and may never do so, Ohio teachers are already voting with their feet:
This year, a record-setting number of over 6,500 teachers are expected to tap into the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, an increase of 63 percent over the 2009 levels, according to Mary Ann Cervantes, a health and retirement consultant for the Ohio Federation of Teachers.“I think that there are people that are fearful of the future and fearful of safeguarding their retirement and are tired of fighting,” Cervantes said. “It’s taken the joy out of teaching for some teachers.”
The only thing to do is vote no on Issue 2.
Comments