Branstad (IA) won't take collective bargaining rights away but he will let the legislature gut them.

[Skidmore]

There is a public hearing in Des Moines tonight on this.

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/03/07/overwhelming-majority-of-tonights-public-hearing-speakers-are-against-union-bill/


Overwhelming majority of tonight’s public hearing speakers are against union bill
3:26 PM, Mar 7, 2011 | by Jason Clayworth |


Tonight’s public hearing about a legislative proposal to alter Iowa’s labor union laws will be dominated almost entirely by speakers who are opposed to the bill.

Of 66 scheduled speakers, five are in support of the bill while three people did not register as for or against it, according to information from the Legislative Information Office.

House File 525 would allow state, county, city and school employees to opt out of union representation, allowing individuals to represent themselves. It would also prohibit public employees from negotiating health insurance plans or having any say in regard to layoffs.

Many unions are highly opposed to the bill, saying it largely guts Iowa’s employee negotiation laws and set the state up for harsh and unfair treatment to its employees. That, they have said, would contribute to a degradation of the state workforce and could ultimately make it more difficult for the state to find qualified workers.

[rurallib]

1. report back if you are going

I have several friends going. we have commitments else I would be there also.