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View Full Version : Ohio: Support SB 5 - Elimination of Collective Bargaining Rights For Union Workers




FrankRep
02-25-2011, 01:46 PM
http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs055/1102658847707/img/8.jpg (http://www.ohiolibertycouncil.org/)


URGENT: Contact State Senators to Support Elimination of Binding Arbitration NOW


Ohio Liberty Council (http://www.ohiolibertycouncil.org/)
Feb 25, 2011


ACTION STEPS are listed at the bottom

It is the position of the Ohio Liberty Council that the elimination of binding arbitration by Senate Bill 5 (SB 5 (http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_5_PSC_N.html)) is crucial to the efficient allocation of the limited financial resources that are going to be available for our state and local governments to operate now and in the future. The result of 25 years of binding arbitration has been a constant ratcheting up of salaries and benefits, which has played a direct role in Ohio becoming one of the highest taxed states in the nation. Binding arbitration must be eliminated to take third parties out of negotiations between government agencies and unions and bring balance back to the negotiation process.

ACTION STEPS are listed at the bottom

It is our understanding that current civil service laws provide union workers with significant protections from improper firing, discipline, and denial of promotion, as well as other important protections, and that those laws will not be changed by Senate Bill 5. However, after discussions with police and fire union members and their management, the Ohio Liberty Council and our membership are concerned that after the adoption of Senate Bill 5 these civil service protections may be inadequate to protect police and fire union members who work in a highly politicized environment. The history of police and fire departments shows that they are particularly susceptible to political abuse and favoritism that can greatly diminish their effectiveness. We want to make sure Ohio’s police and fire professionals do not return to this type of environment as a result of Senate Bill 5.

Therefore, the Ohio Liberty Council is asking members of the Ohio Senate, to take immediate action to amend Senate Bill 5 to specifically address this issue by including statutory or other remedies in this bill to protect police and fire workers from abuse. Our organization will be reaching out directly to Senate leadership, and to the Police and Fire Unions, to bring the parties together to craft a solution that leaves no doubt that police and fire workers will continue to be protected from this type of abuse after the passage of Senate Bill 5. Though this action will not satisfy union demands to maintain the status quo, it will protect the rank and file who have made it clear to our organization that this is an important concern for them personally. Out of respect for the work they do for all citizens, we feel bound to do everything in our power to take action to address those concerns, and we expect no less from the Senate leadership.

- Ohio Liberty Council Board of Directors (http://www.ohiolibertycouncil.org/)


ACTION STEPS


1. The following Senators need to hear from you NOW:



PRIORITY 1: Bill Seitz (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/bill-seitz.html), Jim Hughes (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/jim-hughes.html), Tim Grendell (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/tim-grendell.html), Frank LaRose (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/frank-larose.html), Karen Gillmor (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/karen-gillmor.html)

PRIORITY 2: Tim Schaffer (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/tim-schaffer.html), Bill Beagle (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/bill-beagle.html), Keith Faber (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/keith-faber.html)

PRIORITY 3: Peggy Lehner (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/peggy-lehner.html), Jimmy Stewart (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/jimmy-stewart.html), Gayle Manning (http://www.ohiosenate.gov/gayle-manning.html)


2. We recommend that you tell them a) you support the provisions in SB 5 for the elimination of binding arbitration, b) that SB 5 be amended, if necessary, to include civil service protections for police and fire, and c) support elimination of collective bargaining across the board.

3. Communicate these messages via phone calls, e-mails and personal visits to their offices in the statehouse. Dropping off a handwritten letter in person to their office in the statehouse would be the most effective.