Just before Christmas, Ohio GOP Rep. John Becker, R-Union Township in Clermont County, unveiled SIX proposed constitutional amendments that he wants to put before Ohio voters to restrict and destroy union rights. At least two GOP candidates vying for the state’s top office of Governor say they are on board with Becker’s anti-workers attacks despite Ohio voters rejecting a similar anti-worker law, Senate Bill 5, in 2011.
Supporters of the Right to Work is Wrong ballot initiatives to harm workers include Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and staunch anti-labor member of Congress, Jim Renacci. Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor side-stepped the issue, claiming she'd side with Big Business in the end.
“Even though John Kasich said so-called ‘right to work’ legislation isn’t on his agenda and Ohio voters shot down Senate Bill 5 by a 62-38 vote just a few years ago, Columbus Republicans won’t give up the ghost,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper in a statement. "John Becker and his crew are carrying water for the Koch brothers, pushing an agenda that will drive down wages and make workers less safe on the job."
Most concerning is the anti-labor support of top candidate Mike DeWine, who would “drag the state back into divisive fights over issues like so-called ‘right to work’ legislation,” according to Pepper. DeWine, the state’s top law enforcement officer, told the Columbus Dispatch he supports putting Becker’s amendments on the ballot, despite the fact that voters overwhelmingly rejected similar attacks during the SB 5 fight.
“This is yet another example of how DeWine’s extremist agenda would hurt workers, discourage businesses from coming to Ohio and put our economic future at risk,” said Pepper.
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State legislator leads Constitutional attack on Ohio workers