Gov. John Kasich and top Republican lawmakers said Wednesday that they were offering to change a new law limiting collective bargaining in an attempt to keep a repeal effort off the November ballot. The administration released a letter asking for a meeting on Friday to discuss a compromise with 10 union leaders authorized to negotiate on behalf of We Are Ohio, the group pushing for a repeal of the law. The letter reiterates supporters’ backing for the law and their confidence they can win in the fall, but it signals a desire to avoid a costly ballot battle. “A divisive fight on these issues that could possibly be avoided is in the best interest of everyone, including public employees and people who support public employees,” said the governor, above, a first-term Republican.

Melissa Fazekas, a spokeswoman for We Are Ohio, called on lawmakers to rescind the law if they want the repeal removed from the Nov. 8 ballot. “I think it’s awfully funny to now be standing here and talking about coming to the table when this entire bill takes away their rights to do so,” she said. The law restricts collective bargaining rights for more than 350,000 teachers, police officers, state employees and others. It allows public worker unions to negotiate wages, but not health care, sick time or pension benefits. It bans public employee strikes and gets rid of automatic pay increases. The measure was approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature in March, but it is blocked from taking effect until voters have their say in November.