Statement on Initial Contract Proposal from State of Iowa

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

December 19, 2018

Contact: Mazie Stilwell, Communications Specialist

(515) 246-2637 | [email protected]

STATEMENT ON INITIAL CONTRACT PROPOSAL FROM STATE OF IOWA

DES MOINES – AFSCME Council 61 President Danny Homan issued the following statement in response to the initial contract proposal offered today by the State of Iowa:

“On Monday, Governor Reynolds praised state employees, calling them ‘the boots on the ground,’ and ‘the ones who are carrying out the mission every single day.’ Why, then, does her administration take a total of four minutes to present a contract proposal void of all dignity and respect for the same employees she claims to appreciate? A 1% pay increase and a refusal to discuss any permissive subjects of bargaining sure doesn’t sound like ‘gratefulness’ to me. We came to the bargaining table in good faith, not even proposing to discuss the items deemed prohibited by the gutted collective bargaining law. We’re not here to play games; we’re here to ask for a fair contract – one that doesn’t make a mockery of state employment. Instead, the workers who keep our communities safe and deal with our state’s most vulnerable, violent, and at-risk citizens are given a slap in the face. The hardworking employees who keep this state running deserve better, and we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure they get it.”

Attached is a summary comparison of both initial proposals, along with the summary page accompanying the State of Iowa’s initial proposal. 

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 61 represents 40,000 public employees in Iowa including law enforcement and correctional officers, firefighters, mental health workers, professional school staff, emergency responders, and many other workers. AFSCME Council 61 also represents home health care and child care providers across the state and private sector workers at Prairie Meadows, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Des Moines University, and ABM (Marshalltown).

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