President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Tim Burga, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio’s upcoming legislative battles.
Burga discussed the lack of progress on redistricting in the state of Ohio. After a vote by Ohio voters asked for a redistricting in 2022 and a Supreme Court ruling that found the new redistricting maps from Republican lawmakers to be in direct violation of the law, there was hope that Ohio lawmakers would make progress toward more fair and equitable districts. Since those rulings, there has been no movement in the redistricting efforts in the state. Burga mentioned that there is a possibility of another vote to seek an independent redistricting commission similar to the one Michigan voters approved in 2018.
Republican lawmakers are attempting to pass legislation designed to make the passage of constitutional amendments more difficult. Currently, resolutions in both the House and Senate will increase the threshold of votes needed to amend Ohio’s constitution. Burga expects legislators to put this measure on the ballot in an August special election. If successful, Burga warns that making any constitutional amendments could become nearly impossible for democratic lawmakers.
Finally, Burga talked about Senate Bill 83 and how it would directly impact public Ohio universities in various ways, among them is the ability of union workers to strike, DEI policies in Ohio and syllabus requirements. Burga said this is the worst affront to the labor movement he’s ever seen. He added that removing a union’s ability to strike, however rare in the public sector, removes a bargaining tool making it more difficult to gain leverage.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.