Workers Deserve a Seat at the Table

By Denise Driehaus

Collective bargaining rights are critical to keeping working families and our economny strong. Op-ed regarding Senate Bill 5.

For 28 years, collective bargaining has been a part of Ohio law. It has reduced conflict, prevented strikes, and improved training and productivity among public employees. Passed in 1983, the law has improved working conditions by establishing balance and fairness in negotiations.

Our fire fighters, police officers, teachers, bus drivers, prison guards, water and sewer workers, and in-home caregivers are also consumers and customers in their communities. They spend their money locally on cars, appliances, furniture, food, gas, and other items. They help keep local merchants open, hiring, and thriving.

At a time when we should focus on bringing jobs to Ohio, this bill does just the opposite. Harming the middle class will only create a damaging domino-effect of economic ruin for our state. Public employees spend their money locally like everyone else and by reducing their standard of living, they will buy less at their local stores and the downward spiral begins.

It's a myth that public employee salaries are higher than those in the private sector. The Economic Policy Institute confirms this in their February 2011 report, stating, "...annual wage earnings of all Ohio state and local government employees are a statistically significant 5.9 percent lower than those of comparable private sector employees." When education levels go up, private sector employees earn even more on top of this.

We are hearing SB 5 supporters connect this legislation to the state's budget deficit, but this is false. The truth is that this bill would do absolutely nothing to fix the state's budget gap in the short run. Nine percent of the state budget goes to state employee salary and benefits. Hypothetically, if we fired every state employee in Ohio, it would only save $2 billion leaving the state without vital services and a remaining $6 billion deficit. Clearly this does not address our budget problems. Public workers have acknowledged these tough economic times by making numerous concessions and sacrifices. In 2008, state bargaining units saved the state $250 million through higher employee contributions to health care, wage freezes and unpaid furlough days.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to meet with many of the Cincinnati residents that this bill could potentially harm. Their voice is loud and clear that SB 5 would be devastating to their way of life and for that of their families'. Weakening the middle class is not the solution to Ohio's economic troubles.