With higher education funding falling throughout Ohio, the spotlight has been on students and professors, leaving one group in the shadows - staff.
From custodial to maintenance, these public employees at Ohio University provide essential services to keep this institution running, and their rights are in danger.
Proposed Ohio Senate Bill 5 would strip most collective-bargaining rights for public employees. Should the bill pass, it would not solve the problems facing higher education funding. Union workers will have too limited an ability to protect wages and benefits, likely targets of cost-cutting measures.
The 14 public universities in Ohio all want changes to collective bargaining in order to have more flexibility when reducing costs, as Bruce E. Johnson, CEO of the Inter-University Council, testified Tuesday. "Tough times requires these tough choices," he said.
Such comments represent a barometer of the position higher education will be in under Gov. John Kasich's policy toward education. With the possibility of future state funding cuts, it makes sense that the universities are contemplating the action, but it is far too drastic and puts an unfair burden on lower-wage workers.
Universities do need flexibility, but there is a better way. The burden of cuts should be shared, not focused on one group. Administrators need to find other places to cut and be prepared for benefit and wage decreases for every employee - especially for themselves.
Instead of subtracting collective bargaining from the equation, the universities need to compromise with the employees, especially here at OU. Without collective bargaining, there would be no way to do so.
About this time last year, OU's chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees avoided a strike after tough negotiations. The agreement included a decision on health insurance costs - a bargaining area that would be stripped should the bill pass. Further complications could arise when the agreement ends in 2013.
Negotiation needs to be available; otherwise, the university would be unable to function.
And with the current budget crisis, compromise is key. Administrators need to accept cuts across the board, not just take from one group and allow it no input.
Editorials represent the majority view of The Post's executive editors.
