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The Collective Bargaining Debate Facts Tell
the True Story
By Jim Buchy, State Representative Dist. 77
In the past few weeks you have heard a lot of discussion about
collective bargaining for public employees. This issue must be
addressed, but when considering important proposals that will affect
the lives of many good Ohioans you must assess the facts. I am
committed to keeping my door open and discussing the facts with anyone
interested. Currently, all the talk about this issue has centered
on a Senate Bill introduced by Senator Shannon Jones. SB 5 could
be changed significantly before it ever comes before the House for
consideration. Over the coming months considerable time will be
spent researching this topic. At stake are livelihoods, children,
and incorrect use of state and local dollars.
The
work of our teachers, state employees, university employees, fire
fighters, police officers, and other local employees is greatly
respected. Taking up a call to public service is admirable and at
a time like this we are all called to be part of the solution to put
Ohio back on her feet. The effects of this bill are different for
all public employees, however, it will revolutionize collective
bargaining in a way which will reinvigorate our state, ensure the
long-term use of collective bargaining agreements in the needed fields,
and promote a new found relationship between employees and
administrators not currently experienced in many public sector jobs
where collective bargaining agreements curtail interaction between
employee and employer.
As
changes are considered members of the house will get to know many new
faces and it is important to hear their concerns. Constituents in
favor and opposition to these changes will contact our offices, meet us
in the district, and come to Columbus to voice their concerns. I
can hear those concerns and I have been impressed by the positive
encounters I have had with protestors and constituents. I look
forward to listening to more concerns and working with impacted
constituents to ensure the most positive changes are made to public
employee collective bargaining law. This is an important issue
and it has drawn state and national media attention. However, the
concerns of people in my district and the facts are the most important
things to consider.
In
1983, SB 33 passed the legislature which provided public employees the
ability to collective bargain with the right to strike. That same
year saw our state personal income tax increase permanently by
90%. In 1983, Ohio had 21 U.S. Congressmen. In 2011 we will
be redistricting for 16. Ohio is back pedaling and needs a total
new direction to get our economy moving forward. Passage of
collective bargaining reform will help with this process.
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