Legislators Grilled On Collective Bargaining

Corey Trainer, Oskaloosa Elementary School Guidance Counselor grilled the legislators Saturday about proposed changes to collective bargaining.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Iowa’s teachers and public employees have their eyes on the Iowa Legislature as they mull over changes to Iowa’s collective bargaining laws.

The Iowa Public Employment Relations Act was enacted by the Iowa Legislature in 1974, and was eventually signed into law by Governor Robert Ray in April of 1974.

The Act came into force on July 1, 1974, it became known as Iowa Code Chapter 20.

Iowa House Study Bill 84, which was introduced into the Iowa House, and Iowa Senate File 213 are currently working their way through the legislative process, and have been for the past two weeks.

These pieces of legislation have gained the attention of public employees due to changes being proposed, including arbitration which currently in Iowa has the arbiture being able to take only one side or the other completely, and not find middle ground.

“For too long, unions’ special interests have routinely won over the taxpayers, especially on the issue of health care,” said Iowa Governor Terry Branstad during a joint press conference with Republican legislative leadership.

Those fears and concerns about the Republican legislation boiled over inside Smokey Row on Saturday morning.

Pella resident Suzy Card asked the legislators, that under the proposed changes to collective bargaining; insurance, union dues being collected, transfers, procedures for evaluation would be eliminated?

Rep. Larry Sheets asked for Card to “go one at a time” on the issues she presented.

“Am I wrong so far? That’s what I’m asking”, said Card to Sheets.

“I’m trying to keep up with you here,” added Card while giggles rose from the audience.

“They have no voice in insurance now, correct?” asked Card.

“They have a voice in insurance,” replied Sheets.

“No, they don’t have,” remarked Card.

“Then why did you ask me the question then,” Sheets responded, the rest of his response becoming inaudible as the two spoke over each other.

Card continued her questioning of Sheets, who eventually sat the microphone down.

Sen. Ken Rozenboom then addressed Card by saying, “Collective bargaining is technically a legal term, and you’re technically correct. That has been removed from a collective bargaining chip.”

“So has transfers, correct?” asked Card.

“Yes”, responded Rozenboom.

“And evaluation procedures, correct?” Card queried.

“Yes, and so are a number of other things”, replied Rozenboom.

Card asked that the base pay would still be a part of collective bargaining. Rozenboom agreed to Card’s statement.

Corey Trainer, Oskaloosa Elementary School Guidance Counselor, questioned the legislators about dues being deducted from the paychecks of educators such as himself. He questioned the continued allowance of charitable donations like those made to United Way to be deducted from paychecks, as taxpayers would be helping to pay those administration costs.

Trainer then commented to the legislators, “We talk about keeping our young people here in the state. [As] two young educators that love working here and love living in Oskaloosa, you sure make Minnesota look better by the day.”

Rozenboom responded to Trainer’s questioning of the payroll deductions as a way to “disguise how much money’s coming out of your paycheck.”

Trainer rebuffed the notion that he wouldn’t be a part of the union and pay dues if he had to write a check.

Rozenboom said he was only trying to state that people would look more closely at what they are spending if it wasn’t an automatic deduction.

Trainer questioned the legislators on the speed of the bill as it’s worked its way through the legislature this year. Trainer pointed towards the law and its implementation in the 1970s, stating Governor Branstad said the law is old and outdated. “Well guess what else is old, the Constitution of the United States is.”

Eggs & Issues ended with both sides firmly entrenched in their beliefs.

The two current pieces of legislation will face little resistance in passing, and Governor Branstad has said he will sign it.

The next Eggs & Issues is February 25th at 8:30 am with special guest Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.