So-Called “Right-to-Work” Bills to 
Receive First Hearing This Week

As we reported to you in May, State Representatives Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) and Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) each introduced so-called “right-to-work” bills.  Roegner’s bill (House Bill 151) deals with the private sector, while Maag’s bill (House Bill 152) deals with the public sector. 

There was also a third bill introduced jointly by Roegner and Maag (House Joint Resolution 5) that would put the issue on the state ballot for Ohio voters to decide.

While GOP leaders largely have been dismissive of the bills, saying that so-called “right-to-work” is not part of their agenda, Rep. Roegner has pushed for her legislation to receive its statutorily mandated first hearing in the Ohio House.   HB 151 and HJR 5 will receive their first hearings in the Manufacturing and Workforce Development Committee on Tuesday, June 4 at 1:30pm.  While the committee may not push these bills beyond the obligatory first hearing at this time, it is important that the committee chairman, Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), hears that Ohio workers do not want these bills to move forward.  

E-mail Rep. Schuring by clicking here.

Below is a sample letter you can send to Rep. Schuring:

Dear Rep. Schuring,

I hope that it is not your intention, as Chairman of the Manufacturing and Workforce Development Committee, to move HB 151 and HJR 5 beyond their statutorily required first hearings. 

These so-called “right-to-work” bills are highly politically charged and motivated, and the last thing Ohio needs right now is another divisive fight.

I hope that the Manufacturing and Workforce Development Committee will focus on legislation that actually will help improve Ohio’s economic outlook.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] 

Cleveland State University Law Faculty  Vote in Favor of Unionization  On May 20, the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) held the final vote tally on the Cleveland State University (CSU) law faculty’s unionization effort.  The vote revealed that 55 percent of the faculty voted in favor of forming an AAUP union.  Congratulations to the CSU law faculty; and thank you to our existing CSU-AAUP chapter for their support of the law faculty throughout this process!

State Budget Update  House Bill 59, the state budget bill, is currently in the Ohio Senate Finance Committee.  Last week, the Senate Finance Committee released an amended version of the bill.  Notably, the faculty workload provision remained out of the bill.   Additionally, the provision that would have required universities to charge in-state tuition to out-of-state students who they provide voting identification to was removed.  The full Senate is expected to vote on the budget this week.  Once the Senate passes the bill, it will go to Conference Committee for the House and Senate to resolve their differences.