Leader Strahorn comments on governor toppling workers' collective bargaining rights

House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) today issued the statement below in response to Gov. Kasich’s plan to kill collective bargaining for workers who help Ohio’s elderly, disabled citizens and children. Gov. Kasich’s intentions to topple almost decade-old Executive Orders will ban workers from coming together to negotiate fair wages and safe working conditions.

“Ohioans support the right of men and women who provide care to our elderly, disabled and children to be able to come together to negotiate fair wages and safe working conditions. The governor’s actions will force workers who care for our most vulnerable to take home less pay and potentially face unsafe conditions at work.

“Breaking the state’s promise to nurses and childcare workers critically damages Ohioans’ fundamental belief in an honest pay for an honest day’s work. Ohioans believed the governor was finished with Senate Bill 5-style attacks on working families in our state, but it is now clear no lessons were learned from the divisive, partisan attacks of the past.

“Ultimately, this not only makes workers who provide care for our most vulnerable poorer and less safe at work, but it makes our elderly, disabled citizens and children less safe by effectively reducing their access to quality care.”