Iowa Lawmakers Set to Debate 60 Year Old Law

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=8766

Iowa Lawmakers Set to Debate 60 Year Old Law
From the city crews who fix the pipes underneath our streets to the meat packers at Tyson Fresh Meats in Dakota City, Nebraska, hundreds of workers in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota have been faced with the decision of whether to belong to a union.

A law in all three states, called the Right to Work Act, gives employees in unionized companies that choice. Now, some Iowa republicans are charging that democrats want to change to that law.

"Basically they're proposing that we require non-union members, people who've chosen not to belong to a union to pay union dues," says house Republican Christopher Rants.

Proponents of the idea say it would ensure that those who don't belong to a union could still enjoy the benefits negotiated by labor leaders for the good of all employees union or otherwise.

"They need to pay something for the services they receive, especially when you're talking about legal services that are free," explains incoming House Speaker, Democrat Pat Murphy.

While unions, which have seen a drop in overall membership over the years are pushing for a "fair share" initiative, business leaders say it could hurt Iowa's economy.

"One of the questions companies ask, when they're looking to expand, they want to know that about states...are you a Right to Work state? At least on our side of the state, with Nebraska and South Dakota both being Right to Work States we will lose out,” says Chamber of Commerce member Barbara Sloniker, who works closely with state and federal lawmakers.



However, Democrats contend that's not the impact they're seeing in Wisconsin and Minnesota, which don't have Right to Work laws, but have better job growth than Iowa.

Democrats just want partial dues paid by non-union members. They're not proposing that workers be forced to join unions. The U-S Supreme Court has ruled that to be unconstitutional.

Furthermore, Democrats say repeal of the Iowa's Right to Work act is just an idea and no bill has been formulated.

Still, Republicans say they are ready to fight this initiative.

Updated: January 5, 2007, 5:45 pm

[IA_Seth]

1. With Iowa's new legislators...

We have a pretty good shot at getting something created and passed, and Culver would certainly sign it. Now we just need to pressure those with the 'ideas' to get this idea moving.