COLUMBUS, Ohio — The bargaining rights of public workers in Ohio would be sharply reduced and strikes by public employees would be banned under a bill narrowly passed Wednesday by the Ohio Senate.
A GOP-backed measure that would restrict the collective-bargaining rights of roughly 350,000 teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees squeaked through the state Senate on a 17-16 vote. Six Republicans sided with Democrats against the measure.
Firefighters and teachers shouted “Shame!” in the chamber as the bill was approved.
The bill would ban strikes by public workers and establish penalties for those who participate in walkouts. Unionized workers could negotiate wages, hours and certain work conditions — but not health care, sick time or pension benefits.
The bill would also set up a new process to settle worker disputes, giving elected officials the final say in contract disagreements. Binding arbitration, which police officers and firefighters use to resolve contract disputes as an alternative to strikes, would be eliminated.
Republican Sens. Tim Grendell of Chesterland and Bill Seitz of Cincinnati spoke out against that provision. Grendell said the process would turn workers into beggars before city councils and other officials who oversee them.
“No one can be a judge and advocate in their own cause,” Seitz said. “That’s called heads I win, tails you lose.”
The bill had passed a Senate committee after leadership replaced Seitz on the panel when he expressed disappointment in the bill, a move that secured the votes needed to get the legislation before the full Senate.
The bill now goes to the state House, where the GOP holds a 59-40 majority. Republican Gov. John Kasich has said he supports the effort.
