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Updated 4-7-2008

Citizenship and Legislative

Dan Dombek Chair

Update on Ohioans for Healthy Families Act

 

On March 11 and 12 Brother Tim Booth and Sister Marian Tabb accompanied me to Columbus in an effort to lobby Ohio legislators to endorse the Ohio Families Health Act. This campaign is being well run and the anticipated result would benefit many in our state…including members of Local 1050.

 

In a nutshell the Act would require employers of 25 people or more to:

  • grant 7 paid sick days annually to employees work more hours per week, pro-rated for employees less than 30 hours per week

  •  absence allowed for caring of a child, parent, or spouse

  • employers would not be required to grant paid sick days during the first 90 days of employment

    In Columbus, there were 46 people in our group. We split up and were able to meet with State Reps and State Senators. Many of the Democrats agreed with our cause and signed a pledge endorsing the Act. Republicans are a tough sell on this subject. They hesitate to enact legislation which, they maintain, instructs businesses what to do. In addition to others, I met with my State Rep (R-Dist.98). He wasn’t entirely against the measure. He agreed that some paid sick days would be beneficial and that workers should not be forced into using vacation time to care for themselves or family members.

            You may recall our union circulating petitions supporting this Act several months ago. The petition drive, which was statewide, was a success by getting the Ohio House to assign it a hearing. This does NOT mean the General Assembly will vote on the legislation. They could do nothing, and risk letting the voters decide in the November election. They could also make amendments or pass it as is. 

            It appears the OHFA WILL NOT be voted on in Columbus. We, therefore, would need 120,000 registered voters to sign a petition to place it on the November ballot. These signatures may not be the same ones from the previous petition. I other words, you are not allowed to sign the second petition if you already signed the first. The time frame for this would be May 7- August 4. Remember, this is only if the General Assembly does not take any action.

            I believe our goal is to acquire the critically needed signatures. With this secure, the initiative will pass in November. Would any of you vote otherwise? I’m sure big business will pour loads of cash into a campaign to defeat the issue.

            WE NEED PUBLIC POLICIES TO SUPPORT FAMILY VALUES…OHIO CAN AND MUST LEAD THE WAY!

We will keep you updated on this matter.