Letter to the editor

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I write this letter to ask legislators to reject any bills aimed to eliminate workplace rights for Ohio workers. Currently a bill sponsored by state Rep. Tom Brinkman, R-Cincinnati would bring to Ohio a “right to work” law for private sector workers.

Ohioans spoke out in opposition to such extreme laws when they overwhelmingly defeated Senate Bill 5 by a margin of 63 to 37 percent.

Right to Work laws are wrong for Ohio and wrong for working families. They lower wages, reduce benefits and decrease the safety of our workplaces. I’m a Corrections Officer at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville. Without a strong voice in the workplace, my coworkers and I would be made to work in much more crowded and dangerous conditions than we already do. Thanks to our strong labor voice, we have a seat at the table in discussions about staffing levels, safety equipment and other topics vital to keeping Corrections Officers and staff at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility safe.

No one is “forced” to join a union in Ohio. That’s a myth. Those pushing for such “extreme” laws are on the outside fringes of what most people are thinking. They don’t speak for me or the vast majority of working families in Ohio. Legislators, please reject another attempt to weaken our safety on the job.

Randy Hiles

Minford, Ohio

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