The Ohio House passed a bill Thursday designed to get employers to curb layoffs.

By a 81-15 vote, the body passed House Bill 484, a measure that would create work sharing or the short-time unemployment compensation program in the state. Instead of laying off workers, employers would be encouraged to cut their employees' hours. In turn, employees would be able to receive unemployment benefits for their reduced hours. Should work sharing become law, the federal government would foot the bill for the program for up to three years.

"I'm ecstatic," said the bill's sponsor, Republican State Rep. Mike Duffey of Columbus, of the bill passing by a wide margin.

He said he was also pleased the bill passed with bipartisan support.

"If you make an effort to reach out to the other size, you will ultimately be rewarded," Duffey said. "Respect goes a long way."

The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate, where Duffey has requested it be fast-tracked. That means the Senate could vote on the measure as early as next week.

While still in the House Commerce, Labor and Technology Committee, debate erupted about whether the bill should have included a provision requiring companies with collective-bargaining agreements to have unions approve work-sharing plans. The bill was voted out of committee without the collective-bargaining provision.

Duffey said he considered arguments in favor of the collect-bargaining requirement to be a "red herring" because most union contracts already contain provisions governing reduced hours and layoffs.

"Most employers are going to have the good sense to know not to fight with their labor unions about this," he said.

During debate on the floor or in committee, several of the legislators who voted against the bill said they were doing so because the collective bargaining provision had been dropped. Those voting against the bill include several from the Cleveland area. Among them were Democratic State Rep. Nickie Antonio of Lakewood, Democratic State Rep. Mike Foley of Cleveland and Democratic State Rep. Kenny Yuko of Richmond Heights.

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