Political Action Update 
Vol. 07-15

   May 3, 2007

The 2007 Iowa Legislature:
Great  expectations; disappointing results 

After waiting 42 years for a Democratic Governor, House and Senate, the Iowa labor movement had high hopes for our priority issues, including Fair Share, prevailing wage, employee choice of doctor and public sector collective bargaining improvements.  Although some issues we supported did pass (see chart below), we are deeply disappointed that our major initiatives did not become law this year.  These bills will still be alive for the 2008 session, so we will all need to work harder to make sure our legislators keep their promises.  Look for more details on the 2007 session in our next Update. 

After waiting 42 years for a Democratic Governor, House and Senate, the Iowa labor movement had high hopes for our priority issues, including Fair Share, prevailing wage, employee choice of doctor and public sector collective bargaining improvements.  Although some issues we supported did pass (see chart below), we are deeply disappointed that our major initiatives did not become law this year.  These bills will still be alive for the 2008 session, so we will all need to work harder to make sure our legislators keep their promises.  Look for more details on the 2007 session in our next Update. 

After waiting 42 years for a Democratic Governor, House and Senate, the Iowa labor movement had high hopes for our priority issues, including Fair Share, prevailing wage, employee choice of doctor and public sector collective bargaining improvements.  Although some issues we supported did pass (see chart below), we are deeply disappointed that our major initiatives did not become law this year.  These bills will still be alive for the 2008 session, so we will all need to work harder to make sure our legislators keep their promises.  Look for more details on the 2007 session in our next Update. 

Issue

Result

Fair Share:  Freedom to bargain Fair Share contract language for public sector unions

Passed Senate
Not voted on in House

Prevailing Wage law for all public projects

Not voted on in either Chamber

Employee choice of doctor in workers’ compensation cases

Not voted on in either Chamber

Improvements in public sector bargaining law, including discipline and discharge

Not voted on in either Chamber

OSHA funding for 7 new inspectors

Passed both Chambers

Minimum wage increase

Passed both Chambers

Car Title Loans: Cap on interest rates

Passed both Chambers

Civil Rights Law expansion

Passed both Chambers

Teacher pay increase

Passed both Chambers

Early childhood education: Expanded access

Passed both Chambers

Same day voter registration

Passed both Chambers

Cigarette tax to pay for health care expansion

Passed both Chambers

Health care expansion for children and parents through the state’s Medicaid program

Passed both Chambers

Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights

Passed both Chambers

Electrician licensing

Passed both Chambers

Plumber licensing

Passed both Chambers

Unemployment Compensation: Remove barriers

Not voted on in either Chamber

Clean elections

Not voted on in either Chamber

Issue

Result

Fair Share:  Freedom to bargain Fair Share contract language for public sector unions

Passed Senate
Not voted on in House

Prevailing Wage law for all public projects

Not voted on in either Chamber
Employee choice of doctor in workers' compensation cases

  Not voted on in either Chamber

Improvements in public sector bargaining law, including discipline and discharge

Not voted on in either Chamber

OSHA funding for 7 new inspectors

Passed both Chambers

Minimum wage increase

Passed both Chambers

Car Title Loans: Cap on interest rates

Passed both Chambers

Civil Rights Law expansion

Passed both Chambers

Teacher pay increase

Passed both Chambers

Early childhood education: Expanded access

Passed both Chambers

Same day voter registration

Passed both Chambers

Cigarette tax to pay for health care expansion

Passed both Chambers

Health care expansion for children and parents through the state’s Medicaid program

Passed both Chambers

Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights

Passed both Chambers

Electrician licensing

Passed both Chambers

Plumber licensing

Passed both Chambers

Unemployment Compensation: Remove barriers

Not voted on in either Chamber

Clean elections

Not voted on in either Chamber

Good News Department

McDonald's Agrees to Improve Farmworker Wages & Working Conditions

Time to Switch Cell Phone Service!

McDonald's and its suppliers have finally agreed to pay a penny more per pound to workers who harvest its tomatoes and to implement a stronger code of conduct to protect these workers.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers deserves high praise for this victory, coming not long after they got Taco Bell to agree to higher tomato prices.   

Plus, the rest of us helped too!  More than 17,000 union members and union supporters wrote to urge McDonald's to support fair wages and rights for farmworkers. 

Cingular/AT&T is so far the only wireless company to respect the rights of workers to form a union.  Cingular, now re-branding as AT&T Mobility, honored a voluntary recognition process with CWA, which opened the door for 20,000 new workers to join the union.

The AFL-CIO has negotiated a master contract with Cingular/AT&T for an 18% monthly service discount and offers for free promotional phones for all affiliate local union offices and all union staff members and their families.  For more information on this offer call:

1-800-718-5005

  • Buy union.

  • Switch to AT&T Cingular service.

December 9, 2006, 12:30 p.m.

North Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

 

Marvin Gardens

809 Central Avenue Fort Dodge

 

December 9, 2006, 5:00 p.m.

North Iowa Nine Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Hanford Inn

3041 - 4th St. SW

Mason City

December 13, 2006, 5:30 p.m.

Black Hawk Union Council, AFL-CIO

Brown Bottle

209 West 5th

Waterloo

December 15, 2006, 5:30 p.m.

Hawkeye Labor Council,

AFL-CIO

Iowa City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

RWDSU #110 Hall

526 F Ave. NW

Cedar Rapids

December 16, 2006, 9:00 a.m.

Dubuque Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Labor Temple

1610 Garfield, Dubuque

December 16, 2006, 12:30 p.m.

Clinton Labor Congress,

AFL-CIO

Quad City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Rusty Nail

2606 W. Locust

Davenport

December 16, 2006, 12:30 p.m.

Southwest Iowa Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Tish’s

1115 S. 35th St. Council Bluffs

December 16, 2006, 5:00 p.m.

Des Moines - Henry County Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Lee County Labor Council,

AFL-CIO

Parthenon Steakhouse

715 - 8th St.

Ft. Madison

December 16, 2006, 5:00 p.m.

Northwest Iowa Labor Council, AFL-CIO