Opponents Of Union Law Rally At Ohio Statehouse

[upstatecajun]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thousands of people seeking to repeal Ohio's new collective bargaining law rallied Saturday at the Statehouse, vowing to get a referendum on the next ballot and promising to remember the political fight over the measure when they choose which candidates to support in future elections.

Preachers and public workers took turns at the microphone on a stage in front of the Statehouse steps, depicting the bill signed recently by first-term Republican Gov. John Kasich as an attack on unions and the American dream. Toting signs such as "The middle class will never forget what you did" and "Unions aren't the problem," members of the peaceful crowd hooted and hollered in support as speakers talked about restoring balance at the bargaining table.

The new law applies to more than 350,000 public workers, including police officers, teachers and state employees. It bans them from striking, restricts bargaining and eliminates binding arbitration. The workers could negotiate wages and certain work conditions but not health care, sick time or pension benefits.

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2011/04/09/story-columbus-senate-bill-5-rally.html?sid=102