To qualify for the ballot, the group needs 231,149 valid signatures from registered voters. The petitions must be turned in to the Ohio secretary of state by June 30. We Are Ohio plans to continue collecting signatures over the next two weeks.
The campaigns to repeal and retain Senate Bill 5 are expected to spend more than $20 million this year trying to win over voters.
The new law, which has yet to take effect, restricts collective bargaining rights for 360,000 teachers, police officers, firefighters, prison guards and other public workers in Ohio. It outlaws strikes, bans binding arbitration, requires workers to pay at least 15 percent of health care costs, and prohibits employers from picking up the worker’s share of the pension contribution.
Unions may still negotiate for wages and conditions but if they reach an impasse, management has the right to impose its last offer.
Supporters of the reform package say it will help government control its costs.
State Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Clearcreek Twp., the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 5, said, “We expect the referendum to be on the November ballot, and, if it is, I’m confident there will be a broad, grass-roots campaign in support of the reasonable reforms we’re asking of our public employees.”
About the Author
