In April 2010, Republican governor of Ohio John Kasich signed Senate Bill 5 into effect, a measure than many felt personally attacked the 360,000 workers who provide public services. The law bans the right of public workers to strike; imposes large wage cuts by mandating workers to pay at least 15 percent of their health insurance costs; bases pay raises for teachers and other workers on performance instead of seniority; and facilitates the decertification of local unions. School districts, municipalities, and other government bodies are allowed to enforce their final offer in the case of a labor strike where negotiations cannot be reached (White). .
Kasich followed the lead of several other public employees who have abolished collective bargaining rights. Republicans in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Arizona, and other states have already or are actively pursuing the same policy (White). .
After signing the bill into law, Kasich sent out a fundraising email that read, "The nation is watching us in Ohio and we will provide the leadership necessary to become a job creating state and serve as a model for the rest of America" (White). .
The new law follows Kasich's strategy to outlaw collective resistance to sweeping cuts in social spending and essentially destroying public education and other services. Down the line, taxes will be reduced for corporations and big investors who created the economic downturn, which have bankrupted almost every other state in the nation (White). .
The working class took to the streets in protest of Kasich's new law. In fact, the state capitol in Columbus was chaotic on the day that he first signed the bill. However, the officials who lead the teachers and other public employee unions have come to terms with the fact that they are being held responsible for the budget deficit and have willingly offered to do their part. They oppose the Republican Party's attempt to refuse the unions their traditional role or imposing the cuts and collecting union dues.
