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Bill to curtail union rights prompts protests in Ohio

Thousands of union supporters descended on the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to protest a proposal to sharply curtail bargaining powers of government workers. Republican lawmakers are hoping to advance the measure quickly, pushing Ohio to the forefront of states where efforts to limit public-sector unions have met heavy resistance.

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Teachers Kathy Slaven, left, and Kelly Armfelt, both of Dublin, Ohio, are among the protesters disappointed by a bill the Ohio Senate narrowly passed that would restrict public unions' collective-bargaining power.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Mike Sears, a teacher in Cleveland, and other opponents react in disappointment as the bill, restricting public unions' collective-bargaining power, passes on the Senate floor.

Mike Sears, a teacher in Cleveland, and other opponents react in disappointment as the bill, restricting public unions' collective-bargaining power, passes on the Senate floor.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Thousands of union members and other protesters gather at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to protest a Republican-backed proposal that would curtail public workers' bargaining rights and strip their right to strike. The measure, Senate Bill 5, is supported by Republican Gov. John Kasich.

Thousands of union members and other protesters gather at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to protest a Republican-backed proposal that would curtail public workers' bargaining rights and strip their right to strike. The measure, Senate Bill 5, is supported by Republican Gov. John Kasich.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Firefighters, teachers and other state workers listen to the debate on the Senate floor over Bill 5.

Firefighters, teachers and other state workers listen to the debate on the Senate floor over Bill 5.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Firefighters, teachers and other state workers cheer during the debate over Senate Bill 5 in Ohio.

Firefighters, teachers and other state workers cheer during the debate over Senate Bill 5 in Ohio.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

State workers react to the debate on the Ohio Senate floor over Bill 5.

State workers react to the debate on the Ohio Senate floor over Bill 5.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Before the final vote on Bill 5, senators including Democrat Joe Schaivoni, the ranking minority member, say a prayer.

Before the final vote on Bill 5, senators including Democrat Joe Schaivoni, the ranking minority member, say a prayer.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Firefighters, teachers and other state workers listen to the debate over Bill 5.

Firefighters, teachers and other state workers listen to the debate over Bill 5.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Outside the Ohio Statehouse, small-business owner Greig McDonald yells that protesters don't understand the 'benefit of the merit pay provision' in Senate Bill 5.

Outside the Ohio Statehouse, small-business owner Greig McDonald yells that protesters don't understand the "benefit of the merit pay provision" in Senate Bill 5.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Ohio Senate labor committee Chairman Kevin Bacon (R), right, speaks to a staff member. The committee voted 7 to 5 for Senate Bill 5, with four Democrats and one Republican voting against it. The Republican-backed bill would curtail public workers' bargaining rights, strip their right to strike, increase health-care payments and rework the pension system.

Ohio Senate labor committee Chairman Kevin Bacon (R), right, speaks to a staff member. The committee voted 7 to 5 for Senate Bill 5, with four Democrats and one Republican voting against it. The Republican-backed bill would curtail public workers' bargaining rights, strip their right to strike, increase health-care payments and rework the pension system.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Republican Kevin Bacon, chairman of the Ohio Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee.

Republican Kevin Bacon, chairman of the Ohio Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Democratic ranking member Joe Schiavoni (front row, fourth from right) of the Ohio Senate labor committee listens during a hearing on Senate Bill 5.

Democratic ranking member Joe Schiavoni (front row, fourth from right) of the Ohio Senate labor committee listens during a hearing on Senate Bill 5.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Shannon Jones, Republican Ohio state senator and author of Senate Bill 5.

Shannon Jones, Republican Ohio state senator and author of Senate Bill 5.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

The Senate labor committee's Democratic ranking member, Joe Schiavoni, works with staff members during debate on Senate Bill 5.

The Senate labor committee's Democratic ranking member, Joe Schiavoni, works with staff members during debate on Senate Bill 5.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Democratic ranking minority member Joe Schiavoni after the bill passed the Ohio Senate labor committee.

Democratic ranking minority member Joe Schiavoni after the bill passed the Ohio Senate labor committee.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

The Ohio Senate Labor Committee voted 7 to 5 in favor of Senate Bill 5, with one Republican and four Democrats dissenting. The bill now moves to a floor vote.

The Ohio Senate Labor Committee voted 7 to 5 in favor of Senate Bill 5, with one Republican and four Democrats dissenting. The bill now moves to a floor vote.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Grant writer Angela Wallace, center, was among the protesters. The bill would overturn much of a 1983 Ohio law that afforded collective bargaining rights to public workers.

Grant writer Angela Wallace, center, was among the protesters. The bill would overturn much of a 1983 Ohio law that afforded collective bargaining rights to public workers.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Kindergarten teacher Cathy Macklem of Akron protests. State officials estimated 8,500 union supporters gathered on Capitol Square in downtown Columbus, where they listened to speeches, cheered and displayed signs.

Kindergarten teacher Cathy Macklem of Akron protests. State officials estimated 8,500 union supporters gathered on Capitol Square in downtown Columbus, where they listened to speeches, cheered and displayed signs.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Firefighter Scott Bertsch of Wooster, Ohio, protests the bill.

Firefighter Scott Bertsch of Wooster, Ohio, protests the bill.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Thousands of people joined the protests, but Republicans vowed to push ahead with the bill quickly. 'It's great to see so many people willing to come out and get heard,' said Senate President Tom Niehaus. 'But it doesn't affect our resolve.'

Thousands of people joined the protests, but Republicans vowed to push ahead with the bill quickly. "It's great to see so many people willing to come out and get heard," said Senate President Tom Niehaus. "But it doesn't affect our resolve."

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Cleveland teacher Meryl Johnson joins the demonstrations. Among other things, the bill would block strikes and do away with binding arbitration for more than 300,000 firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other state and local government workers.

Cleveland teacher Meryl Johnson joins the demonstrations. Among other things, the bill would block strikes and do away with binding arbitration for more than 300,000 firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other state and local government workers.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Members of the labor group Working America hold signs at the protest. They vowed to remain throughout the fight against Senate Bill 5.

Members of the labor group Working America hold signs at the protest. They vowed to remain throughout the fight against Senate Bill 5.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Cheers from the crowd echoed off the high-rises looking down on the Statehouse in Columbus.

Cheers from the crowd echoed off the high-rises looking down on the Statehouse in Columbus.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Sue Battison, left, auditor for Warren, Ohio, and Cindy Gorse, a health inspector in Warren, chant, 'Kill the bill,' at the demonstration at the Ohio Statehouse.

Sue Battison, left, auditor for Warren, Ohio, and Cindy Gorse, a health inspector in Warren, chant, "Kill the bill," at the demonstration at the Ohio Statehouse.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Protesters, as well as TV satellite trucks, lined the streets around the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

Protesters, as well as TV satellite trucks, lined the streets around the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Gai Coffman, 3, stands with teachers from Akron, Ohio, during the protest.

Gai Coffman, 3, stands with teachers from Akron, Ohio, during the protest.

Melina Mara / The Washington Post

Protesters accused the governor of trying to use a budget crisis to destroy public-sector unions. Government workers did not cause the crisis and should not bear the brunt of it, they said.

Protesters accused the governor of trying to use a budget crisis to destroy public-sector unions. Government workers did not cause the crisis and should not bear the brunt of it, they said.

Melina Mara / THE WASHINGTON POST

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