Ohio AFL-CIO and a Coalition of Unions Sign Letter Opposing Senate Bill 83
On behalf of a coalition of organized labor unions, representing hundreds of thousands of public and private sector workers, We Are Ohio submitted a letter to Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Jason Stephens and members of the Oho House urging lawmakers to protect collective bargaining rights and reject Senate Bill 83.
"Senate Bill 83 represents the worst attack on workers since SB 5. SB 83 would ban strikes and limit bargaining subjects for unionized workers at Ohio’s public colleges and universities," the letter states.
The unions take issue with an attempt by the bill's sponsor, state Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, to target fewer unions on campuses to garner more support in the legislature.
"Whether the bill targets all campus unions or faculty unions only, we stand united in our vehement opposition to SB 83. A threat to any labor union is a threat to all labor unions. The bill creates an unacceptable precedent limiting collective bargaining rights for public workers outside of the public safety and public health realms. We will not stand idly by while the legislature attempts to implement Senate Bill 5 in piecemeal fashion," the letter notes.
In the letter, We Are Ohio and the unions remind lawmakers that Ohio voters will not stand idly by when their rights and freedoms are threatened.
"We, the undersigned unions, oppose any effort to undermine workplace democracy and silence the voices of workers. This is an affront to unions and the People of Ohio. We urge you to reject Senate Bill 83, as well as any other proposals that would restrict collective bargaining rights for Ohio workers," the letter states.