s*********8
发帖数: 901 | 1 COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Republican state senator in Ohio who had expressed his
disappointment in a bill that would restrict the bargaining rights of public
workers has been replaced on a committee that is poised to approve the
measure.
Senate leadership on Wednesday appointed Sen. Cliff Hite of Findlay to the
panel to replace state Sen. Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican. Hite
supports the bill.
Commitee Chairman Kevin Bacon says it was done "due to vote count" on the
panel, but would not comment further.
He says he has had the votes to get the bill approved and to the GOP-led
Senate for a vote. The chamber could take up the measure as soon as
Wednesday afternoon.
All four Democrats on the 12-person panel oppose the legislation.
Some 350,000 teachers, university professors, firefighters, police officers
and other public workers would be affected by the legislation if it becomes
law.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP'
s earlier story is below.
Another showdown on an Ohio bill to restrict the bargaining rights of public
workers could come as early as Wednesday with a vote by a Republican-
majority legislative committee whose chairman says he has the support to
send the measure to the Senate.
Worker rights and collective bargaining have sparked debate in statehouses
across the country, most notably in Wisconsin, where a scheduled vote on a
similar bill prompted Democratic lawmakers to flee the state.
As GOP Sen. Shannon Jones unveiled her changes to the Ohio bill Tuesday, a
daylong rally drew 8,500 protesters who chanted, brandished signs, and
listened to musical acts and speakers.
Labor sympathizers also planned to gather Wednesday afternoon for a vigil,
anticipating the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee will approve
the bill and send it to the full chamber. Republicans hold the majority in
the 33-member Senate.
Republican Gov. John Kasich supports the effort. He said in a Fox television
interview Tuesday that restricting collective bargaining would be part of a
package he plans to present March 15 to address the state's $8 billion
deficit, joblessness and poverty.
Democrats have opposed the measure. Senate Democratic Leader Capri Cafaro
said the bill "turns collective bargaining into a one-sided conversation
where management always gets the last word."
Some 350,000 teachers, university professors, firefighters, police officers
and other public workers would be affected by the legislation if it becomes
law. Some predicted the Republican-led campaign would backfire.
"I think Gov. Kasich is going to do more for union membership than he even
imagines," said Robin Clark, a 59-year-old science teacher in Akron. "When
people see everyday people's livelihoods under attack, they have to protect
themselves somehow, and that's a primary way to do that."
The initial bill would strip collective bargaining rights for state workers,
but allow strikes. The revised measure would ban public worker strikes, and
establish fines and jail time for those who participate in walkouts. It
would allow unionized workers to negotiate wages, hours, and safety
conditions but not health care, sick time or pension benefits.
In addition, the revised measure would set up a new process to settle worker
disputes. Either party could request a mediator, but local or state elected
officials would have the final say in unresolved contract disputes. Binding
arbitration, which police officers and firefighters use to resolve contract
disputes as an alternative to strikes, would be eliminated under the
revised bill.
Committee Chairman Kevin Bacon, R-Columbus, said Tuesday that while he has
the votes to send the bill to the Senate, he wanted lawmakers to get a
chance to review the proposed changes. Jones said her revised bill "gives
power back to the taxpayer and restores flexibility to the management of
their hard-earned dollars." | J********a
发帖数: 5208 | 2 好，public sector就不能有union |
|
