COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Opponents of an Ohio law to limit public workers' collective bargaining rights have started gathering signatures to get a referendum on the measure.
Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik) signed the measure Thursday. It bans public worker strikes, eliminates binding arbitration, and restricts bargaining for 350,000 public workers.
The bill was supported by the Republican majority in the Legislature and by business groups and tea party activists, who say it's needed to help Ohio economically. Unions and Democrats opposed it.
Columbus resident Mike Patrick said he was first to sign the petition Saturday. The 45-year-old small-business owner said some provisions will hurt public services and the business environment.
The bipartisan coalition leading the petition drive will need more than 230,000 valid signatures by June 30 to put a referendum on November's ballot.
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