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Ohio vote repeals union limit law | Ohio vote repeals union limit law |
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Ohio voters have struck down a law limiting unions' collective bargaining powers, dealing a blow to Republicans in a crucial election swing state. | Ohio voters have struck down a law limiting unions' collective bargaining powers, dealing a blow to Republicans in a crucial election swing state. |
The measure, which had not yet taken effect, was rejected by 62% to 38% in Tuesday's special referendum, according to preliminary results. | The measure, which had not yet taken effect, was rejected by 62% to 38% in Tuesday's special referendum, according to preliminary results. |
The law would have curbed bargaining rights for 350,000 public employees. | The law would have curbed bargaining rights for 350,000 public employees. |
Labour unions said the result was a barometer of the national mood ahead of next year's presidential vote. | Labour unions said the result was a barometer of the national mood ahead of next year's presidential vote. |
Democrats hope it heralds the beginning of an industrial Midwest backlash against the Republicans swept into office in 2010's midterm elections. | Democrats hope it heralds the beginning of an industrial Midwest backlash against the Republicans swept into office in 2010's midterm elections. |
No Republican has won the White House without Ohio, and only two Democrats have done so in more than a century. | No Republican has won the White House without Ohio, and only two Democrats have done so in more than a century. |
But in a warning to Democrats, voters in the state also approved a measure on Tuesday against President Barack Obama's healthcare law. | But in a warning to Democrats, voters in the state also approved a measure on Tuesday against President Barack Obama's healthcare law. |
The approval of the ballot measure banning people from being required to buy health insurance was largely symbolic. | The approval of the ballot measure banning people from being required to buy health insurance was largely symbolic. |
In other election results around the country on Tuesday: | In other election results around the country on Tuesday: |
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Ohio's labour law would have included a ban on strikes, scrapped binding arbitration and dropped promotions based solely on seniority. It would have permitted workers to negotiate wages, but not pensions or healthcare benefits. | Ohio's labour law would have included a ban on strikes, scrapped binding arbitration and dropped promotions based solely on seniority. It would have permitted workers to negotiate wages, but not pensions or healthcare benefits. |
More than $30m (£18.6m) from both labour and business interests were poured into Ohio's vote. | More than $30m (£18.6m) from both labour and business interests were poured into Ohio's vote. |
Governor John Kasich, who had toured the state to promote keeping the law, acknowledged defeat in a statehouse news conference. | Governor John Kasich, who had toured the state to promote keeping the law, acknowledged defeat in a statehouse news conference. |
"It's clear that the people have spoken," he said. "They might have said it was too much, too soon." | "It's clear that the people have spoken," he said. "They might have said it was too much, too soon." |
Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, one of the largest US unions, said the result had been sealed by Republican and Democrat voters. | Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, one of the largest US unions, said the result had been sealed by Republican and Democrat voters. |
"Ohio sent a message to every politician out there: go in and make war on your employees rather than make jobs with your employees, and you do so at your own peril," he said. | "Ohio sent a message to every politician out there: go in and make war on your employees rather than make jobs with your employees, and you do so at your own peril," he said. |
Ohio's labour law would have gone further than a similar one in the state of Wisconsin by including police officers and firefighters. In June the supreme court in Wisconsin upheld that law. | Ohio's labour law would have gone further than a similar one in the state of Wisconsin by including police officers and firefighters. In June the supreme court in Wisconsin upheld that law. |