The opposition to laws that severely limit the collective bargaining rights of state employees has moved beyond Wisconsin. Some other states, such as Ohio, have passed similar laws. Recall campaigns targeting legislators on both side of this issue are underway way in Wisconsin. The eventual target of the opponents to this law is Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. There has even been talk of boycotts against the corporate supporters of Walker.
In Ohio, pro-union activists are using a tool available to them under state law; the right to mount a campaign to put the law up to a public referendum in November.
Activists Busy Putting Referendum Campaign in Motion
Under Ohio law, activists have 90 days from when a governor signs a bill to get over 200,000 signatures to place it on a referendum.
One of the factors that may help get that law onto a public ballot is the personal popularity of Governor John Kasich. According to a National Public Radio report, some independent voters who put Kasich into office are having some buyers’ remorse. Dwight Landis had this to say about Kasich,
“I voted for him. And I do like the idea of getting our house in order. And we do have to get our finances right. But it doesn’t have to be predatory.”
Another factor that may aid the drive for a referendum is that not all Republican lawmakers in the state voted for the measure.
Some Republicans Express Regret about Collective Bargaining Measure
While the law enjoyed overwhelming support from Republicans and garnered no Democratic votes, six Republicans in the state assembly did not vote for the measure. Republican Assembly member, Bill Seitz, from Cincinnati, expressed issues with how the bill was passed when he told the Columbus Dispatch, "This is a fundamentally rigged process.”
There is opposition to these laws in all of the states in which they were passed. It remains to be seen how many politicians retain their seats and if any boycott efforts develop any traction. It also remains to be seen if voters want to revisit the law in the form of a referendum.
Indiana, Iowa, and Idaho are other states where there have been attempts to set back the collective bargaining rights of state workers. Unions and their supporters are trying everything in their arsenal to make sure that these laws do not stand the test of time and that their supporters are turned out from office.
Sources
- Assembly sends SB5 to Kasich (March 31, 2011).Columbus Dispatch.
- James, F. (March 31, 2011) Ohio's union rights battle appears to be headed towards November referendum.National Public Radio
- Pike, J. (April 1, 2011). Spring means recall campaigns in Wisconsin. Suite 101.
- Pike, J. (February 26, 2011). Labor protests continue in Wisconsin and other states.
Jon Pike - Pike is a Ph.D. in communication and writes about activism and popular culture topics for Suite101.
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