The Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) condemns the passage of Senate Bill 1, one of the most extreme anti-worker bills our state has seen in over a decade. SB1 is a direct assault on Ohio’s workers, and is part of a dangerous agenda to eliminate collective bargaining rights, silence workers, and dismantle academic integrity in our public universities and colleges.
Make no mistake—SB1 is the largest attack on collective bargaining rights since Senate Bill 5. It limits the rights of organized labor and strips away the academic freedom essential to ensuring evidence-based, culturally competent education. These attacks have a direct impact on the education of future health professionals and, ultimately, on the ability of nurses and health professionals to provide safe, high-quality patient care rooted in real science and best practices.
SB1 undermines the foundation of culturally competent care by attempting to control what can be taught and discussed in our classrooms. It threatens our ability to train health professionals who are prepared to care for Ohio’s diverse communities with knowledge, skill, and respect. Ohioans deserve healthcare providers who are educated in real science, not censored by political agendas.
ONA members will not be silenced. We stand firmly with the legislators who voted against this dangerous bill and with the more than 900 union members, university and college faculty, staff, students, and workers who have raised their voices in opposition. Together, we will continue to fight back against these attacks on our rights and the integrity of our professions
We call on Governor DeWine to stand with Ohioans—not extremists. Veto this horrific legislation. Protect the rights of workers, safeguard academic freedom, and ensure Ohioans have access to culturally competent, evidence-based healthcare and education.
Our fight is not over. We will not back down.
Contact: Michelle Day
Director of Communications & Technology
mday@ohnurses.org