Ohio is Next Front in 'Right-to-Work' Battle

[Frodo]

Consider yourself warned:

Is Ohio next on right-to-work battlefront?

11:04 AM, Dec 12, 2012

COLUMBUS -- The divisive battle over right-to-work legislation could come to Ohio next year.

As neighboring Michigan became the 24th state Tuesday to enact laws that prohibit agreements requiring workers to join a union or pay dues, Ohio groups that support the laws say the Buckeye State has to follow suit or watch jobs leave.

"When we are working with companies who want to investigate locations, the first question on their list is right to work," said Phillip Parker, president and chief executive officer of the Dayton, Ohio, Area Chamber of Commerce. He later backed off the statement he made at a Tuesday press conference, but indications are that the fight is coming to Ohio.

A group called Ohioans for Workplace Freedom is gathering signatures to put the issue on the fall ballot. They need 385,253.

"Indiana has done this. Michigan will. What choice will Ohio have?" tea party activist Chris Littleton of West Chester, Ohio, told the Toledo (Ohio) Blade this week. "This is economic jet fuel for job creation, wage growth and a vibrant Ohio economy. If two border states do this, how can Ohio afford not to do this?"  

[Franzl]

And the race to the bottom continues.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I'm not worried; remember what Ohio did last time the Republicans tried to hurt unions?

[Bandit3 the Worker]

If there's a referendum, the right-to-scab law is dead on arrival.

Look what happened in Colorado a few years ago. And Colorado isn't even that heavily unionized!

[technical support]

And the race to the bottom continues.

According to the http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/ohio-gop-not-pushing-a-right-to-work-bill/nTSY9/ the republicans in ohio are not pushing for a right to work bill. I guess we'll just just have to wait and see. But here what Gov Kasich had to say recently from dispatch.com Kasich, the primary pitchman for Senate Bill 5 and Issue 2, has previously stated that he did not believe Ohio needs to become a right-to-work state. This morning, Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said “job creation is our top priority and we need to continue working very hard to create a jobs-friendly climate in Ohio.

“Right now is the time to pause and take stock of the best way to do that,” Nichols said. “Now’s not the time to be taking up or considering these types of issues.

[technical support]

Maybe there's some mix messages going on.

[pbrower2a]

Elected officials do not like loud, hostile protests; those are not good for political survival. Michigan is a fair warning.

Say what you want, but many would rather work in a box store than do industrial work in a sweatshop for much the same.

[LastVoter]

Elected officials do not like loud, hostile protests; those are not good for political survival. Michigan is a fair warning.

Say what you want, but many would rather work in a box store than do industrial work in a sweatshop for much the same.

Except these officials are not concerned with re-election, their only agenda is to pass right to work laws and than acquire consulting positions provided by their overlords after they are promptly kicked out.

[Blue3]

Kasich is probably still too humbled from his big labor defeat, especially since he just saw Obama win re-election and the national political mood is quite different from 2010/2011.

[TJ in Oregon]

Kasich and the state GOP aren't about to re-open this can of worms after the Senate Bill 5/Issue 2 defeat last year, but if they get enough signatures Kasich won't be needed for this to get on the ballot. I don't think it'll have a tremendous chance of passing, but with the right media strategy I suppose it's possible.