Gov. Ted Strickland signed an executive order Tuesday allowing some home health care workers paid by the state the right to unionize and said he next plans to give the right to child care providers.Not even a law, a decree for a shakedown.
The move was immediately blasted by critics, who said the governor was overstepping his authority and sending a portion of budget increases for elder and child care to dues for unions who backed his election.
Those covered by the order work under independent contracts to carry out services for the state Departments of Aging, Job & Family Services or Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Strickland, a Democrat elected with significant union support, said his order was intended to foster professional standards and conditions for the 7,000-worker industry as it takes on a growing share of the state's health care burden.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Ohio Governor gives workers an OK to unionize
The AP reports: