When voters in Ohio headed to the polls on Tuesday, they were not just electing mayors, but also setting a precedent by voting on an issue that Democrats are calling a big win.
Despite it being an off year for federal elections, many in the political community had their eye on the state of Ohio, where a controversial bill allowing public employees to unionize was supported.
The issue on the ballot was actually in response to a law that passed last year, which took many collective bargaining powers away from unions. Although the unions could still work together for better pay, they were banned from working to get better collective pensions and healthcare.
That law, which was enacted by the Ohio Republicans in the statehouse, was rejected by an overwhelming majority on this year’s ballot.
According to Nikhil Ramakrishna, a junior accounting and finance double major, the rejection of this will well help union members earn their fair share.
“(It) definitely will allow workers to get competitive wages,” said Ramakrishna.
The bill will allow public workers to unionize, including fire fighters and police officers.
Many considered this bill an important issue in this November’s election, as it would tell where people stand on what size government they want. Over $30 million was spent advocating one way or another, mainly by labor and business entities.
Despite the Democrats claiming this to be a big victory that will carry into next year’s election, many are saying the true test is still where the economy stands.
“If the economy were to turn around in the next year, that’s going to matter a lot more than what happens in ballot issues,” Justin Buchler, a politicial analyst, told the Associated Press.
Despite the strong vote in favor of unions, not everyone is sold that all unions actually do more good than harm.
Ana Matos, a senior mathematics major, believes certain unions are holding back their field.
“Obviously the people in those professions think the union is looking out for their best interests, but sometimes, as is the case of the teachers union, they are doing more harm than good,” said Matos.