Union backers protest Ohio right-to-work bill
Ohio right-to-work bill gets hearing; hundreds of union backers gather to protest
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Labor backers are making clear their opposition to a pair of bills aiming to strip Ohio unions of their power to compel membership and automatically collect dues.
Hundreds showed up Tuesday at the Ohio Statehouse, where the first — and probably the last — hearing was being held on right-to-work legislation proposed by Republican state Reps. Kristina Roegner and Ron Maag.
The chairman of the Manufacturing & Workforce Development Committee said no further hearings were planned on the bills. Sponsors were provided an airing under House rules.
The so-called "Workplace Freedom" bill would apply to private-sector unions. A companion measure would apply to public-sector unions.
The proposals come less than two years after Ohio voters overwhelmingly rejected collective bargaining limits for government workers.
