Senate Bill 5 passes Ohio House

KentWired Staff

The Republican-dominated Ohio House of Representatives voted 53-44 Wednesday to restrict the collective bargaining rights of public workers, sending Senate Bill 5 back to the Ohio Senate for revisions.

The GOP also holds a majority of the seats in the state Senate.

Senate Bill 5 affects teachers, nurses, safety workers, and others employed by the government. If passed, the bill would not allow unions to negotiate sick time, pension, or health care benefits for their members, but they would still have the right to negotiate for wages. Workers would also be banned from striking.

Several Democrats were outraged and have threatened to lead a ballot-repeal effort if the bill passes through the Senate.

Associated Press contributed to this report.