Tim Burga, President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Democratic National Committee's new leadership, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's proposed budget and two anti-union bills under consideration in the Ohio Legislature.
Burga started by emphasizing the need for the National Democratic Party to refocus on economic issues that resonate with working people. He noted a disconnect between the party's policies and public perception, stressing the importance of clear messaging on kitchen table issues.
Looking at Ohio Gov. DeWine’s proposed state budget, Burga expressed concern about the continued diversion of public education funds to private schools. He discussed the ongoing challenge of protecting public education resources and what impact the latest diversion of funds could have on the public school system in Ohio.
Finally, Burga discussed Ohio Senate Bill 1, which he said targets university professors' rights to strike and threatens tenure protections. Burga likened this legislation to the 2011 attempt to strip collective bargaining rights from public sector workers, warning that it could be a precursor to broader attacks on labor rights in Ohio. He also discussed Ohio Senate Bill 8, which would restrict union release time for public sector employees, framing both bills as part of a coordinated effort to weaken unions in Ohio.
Listen to the full episode above for more information from Burga and the Ohio AFL-CIO.