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Faber, Buchy address
public union concerns
By Bob Robinson
Editor
GREENVILLE – “$74 million in savings to local government entities
equates to 1,500 firefighters, police and teachers who won’t have to be
laid off,” said State Sen. Keith Faber (Dist. 12).
This was part of the message to about 200 attendees at Friday night’s
Townhall meeting on Senate Bill 5 with Faber and State Representative
Jim Buchy (Dist. 77).
While SB5 is a controversial attempt to deal with the contract issues
of public employee unions, it attracted little attention outside of the
unions themselves, some attendees of which were “bussed in” from other
areas, according to Darke County Commissioner Mike Stegall.
“One of the groups came from as far away as New York,” he said. He
estimated that about 20 percent of those against SB5 were not local.
“We’re disappointed that more of the media didn’t show up,” said one
program participant who was handing out fact sheets to those attending.
She noted that only The Advocate and County News Online were there at
that point.
Faber and Buchy attempted to address the concerns of union members as
well as answer their questions.
“Everybody wants more,” Faber said. “We don’t have more.” He noted that
if we do nothing, we will continue to have problems.
Buchy said the state currently faces an $8 billion budget hole, plus it
owes the federal government $2.4 billion for unemployment benefits.
“That money will have to be repaid,” he said, adding that “we are
spending and taxing at a pace that is unsustainable.”
Faber said that Ohio is going to have to rein in spending, rein in
regulations and change how government works.
He added that statewide, newspapers don’t often agree with conservative
Republicans… but with Senate Bill 5 they do. He said that two of those
in agreement were the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal.
He emphasized that SB5 does not eliminate collective bargaining. It
only modifies the rules on how it will work.
It establishes a minimum health care participation of 15 percent (in
the private sector it is about 25 percent). That’s a minimum…
participation in excess of that will still be part of the collective
bargaining process.
He said it also requires public employees to pay their own share of
retirement, as it prohibits the practice of forcing public entities to
“pick up” the employee’s share.
“The goal is to level the playing field for these entities,” Faber said.
Buchy said that layoffs won’t be based solely upon seniority. Other
factors, such as peer review, performance and education must also be
considered. He emphasized, however, that this bill does not require
employees with seniority to be laid off.
During the presentation attendees filled out question sheets that were
given to the two legislators for response. Questions and answers often
solicited applause or boo’s from the audience.
One question asked why the budget had to be balanced on the backs of
public employees. Buchy noted that public employees were not being
blamed, adding that they are thanked for coming in every day and doing
their jobs.
“It is not being balanced on the backs of public employees,” he said.
“Budget cuts will apply to everybody. Specifics? We’ll find out Tuesday
(when Gov. John Kasich submits his budget for the next biennium).”
Another question asked if elected officials were taking pay cuts.
Buchy said that all levels of government are in need of prioritizing,
noting that state and county public servants have been at static pay
levels since 2008.
When asked about public employees being able to strike, Faber noted
that there are too many “perils of public strikes.”
He said the right to strike does not exist for firefighters and police,
nor does it exist at most federal levels.
Buchy also noted that SB5 is now in the House for consideration, and
that there will likely be some modifications before it is passed. The
Senate and the House have to be in agreement before it can go to Kasich
for his signature. Once that happens, it will be another 90 days before
it goes into effect.
Facts on SB5 as it was passed by the Ohio Senate:
“SB 5 does not take away collective bargaining in Ohio. It ensures
transparency. It provides the public with information at each step of
the collective bargaining process.”
“Teachers with continuing contracts may keep those contracts.”
“Employees will be able to cash out 50 percent of sick leave upon
retirement, but not in excess of 1,000 hours. Sick leave will be capped
at two weeks per year (instead of three) for employees of any county,
municipal, and township offices, any state college or university, and
any county board of developmental disabilities.”
“Public employees are eligible for an annual maximum of six weeks of
paid vacation prior to 20 years of service, three personal days and 12
paid holidays.”
“Prohibits pension pickups for public employees.”
“Establishes a minimum (15 percent) that employees must pay for their
share of healthcare benefits.”
“Requires merit-based pay for public employees, but permits an employer
to consider longevity/seniority as a factor when hiring or reducing
staff.”
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