Mayors from throughout Trumbull and Mahoning counties are joining together to encourage people to vote no on Issue 2, repealing Senate Bill 5.

It is now up to voters to decide if the bill, that strips public employees of certain bargaining rights, should become law.

"It's a direct attack, whether you're Republican or Democrat, against the middle class," says Lowellville Mayor Jimmy Iudiciani.

Mayors from Warren, Niles, McDonald, Lowellville, and Struthers came together to voice their opposition to Senate Bill 5.

Warren Mayor Michael O'Brien says, "We feel it's unfair, unsafe, and it will hurt our cities, our counties, and the state of Ohio."

Opponents have dubbed Senate Bill 5 as the anti-labor or anti-union bill.  Struthers Mayor Terry Stockard says, "We don't see by going forward and taking away collective bargaining rights from those employees who have given so much over the years is going to benefit anyone."

The mayors say the bill blames Ohio's employees for the state's budget problems.  And they say that's simply not the case.

They all say their employees understand the financial conditions and have been willing to make concessions and take pay freezes.

And they say they don't need the state coming in to tell them how to negotiate with their workers.

Niles Mayor Ralph Infante says, "I've done actually 30 contracts.  I've done it by myself with no outside help and it's worked out.  We trust each other and that's a big part of it."

McDonald Mayor Glenn Holmes adds, "I'd rather negotiate than dictate.  I think it makes for a better environment and the team effort I think serves the mucipalities better."

The mayors also point out that if the bill stands it may not stop with public employees.  They say eventually it could impact work rules for private employees as well.