| Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO |
 “The first step is, we’re going to deal with collective bargaining for public employee unions ‘cause you use divide and conquer.” – WI Gov. Scott Walker May 10, 2012 
“Mr. 1% isn’t looking out for Iowa’s 99%”  The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, in response to the House passage of the Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation Bill:
Legislature has gone home
Well, the Legislature has gone home. Let's hope its for good. The session ended in both the Iowa House and Senate bringing up for floor debate alternative versions of property tax cuts for commercial and industrial businesses. The main differences were that the Senate version focused on tax credits, while the House had a much deeper permanent tax cut aimed at bigger corporations. The House bill passed that chamber, but failed in the Senate in amendment form. The Senate version didn't reach a constitutional majority for passage, with two democrats voting no. Governor Branstad has indicated that he may bring them back for a special session later this year. Compromises were also worked out on mental health reform and the final budget bill, which was funding for Health and Human Services. Republicans in the House had attached language that would have outlawed funding of any kind for any services provided by Planned Parenthood. Eventually that provision was eliminated, and the chambers came to an agreement (one that even gave union child care providers a 2% increase.) Mental health reform will be a challenge to see exactly how it will play out in real world terms. Thankfully there is language in the bill that the IFL and other unions fought for that made sure that no one would lose their IPERS or collective bargaining rights in the event of a reorganization of mental health services provided by counties. Now the task becomes making sure that we can build a pro-worker majority in both chambers. While we've seen this year the Iowa Senate is willing to step up for labor, the Iowa House will not under its current makeup. I don't think its impossible to take the House, but we've all got to work very hard. With Terry Branstad still our Governor, I hesitate to even guess how bad it could be if he had the ability to push his agenda through the Iowa Legislature.  AFL President Trumka comments on the April Jobs report Republican obstruction to the President’s jobs agenda has left working people in a holding pattern. Our economy continues to be severely off balance  Iowa Federation of Labor endorses President Obama for re-election in 2012. This endorsement came at the recent IFL “President Obama’s immediate actions helped create jobs for projects here in America, not overseas. The ad released by the Obama campaign today demonstrates exactly the reason why we’re supporting President Obama’s plan to create jobs here in America and encourage companies to bring jobs back home over Mitt Romney’s strategy of shipping jobs overseas both in the private sector and as governor of Massachusetts,” Sagar said.COPE convention in Des Moines.  “It just amazes me to see just how big the gap is between what the big company CEO’s in Iowa makes and what the average Iowan makes,” said Ken Sagar of the Iowa AFL-CIO.  AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka launches Executive PayWatch program witha link to paywatch.org. Members are encouraged to write the Securities and Exchange Commission and urge them to implement the Dodd-Frank Act.  SCIFL President, Mark Cooper's letter to the editor, April 12, 2012 in the Des Moines Register dealing with the wealthy and corporations paying their fair share of taxes.  North Iowa Nine Labor Council and the Iowa Federation of Labor presnted BTCGM local 269G with $1000 donation towards their lockout with Crystal Sugar, in Mason City.  The Ryan Budget was introduced last week and it is an attack on medicare and medicaid. It will take more from those that have little, and give more to the wealthy. IFL President Ken Sagar's letter to the editor on this issue, was published in the Des Moines Register.  The University of Iowa Labor Center is offering a wide variety of classes over the next several weeks. Check them out and suppor the Labor Center. Here is the April Central Labor Council latest news, from around the state. This electronic newsletter was developed by the Central labor Councils in Iowa. Please send this newsletter to your members.  Iowa Republican Congressmen vote to cut Medicare and Medicaid. Democrats - Braley, Loebsack and Boswell all voted agains the Ryan Budget. The Bill now moves to the Senate. Contact Harkin and Grassley and ask them to vote against the Ryan Budget.  Senator Tom Harkin introduced "Rebuild America Act" this week. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka applauded Senator Harkin for introducing the bill.  AFL-CIO President Trumka asks for the resignation of NLRB member Terence Flynn for his unethical and possible criminal actions.  There will be a rally Monday march 26 in Davenport for the Brothers and Sisters of Teamsters Local 371 who are on strike against Nichols Aluminum. They have been out since January 20.  AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka, said the Republican proposed budget would take American back to the failed economics of the Great Recesion.  AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has officially announced that the AFL-CIO is endorsing President Barack Obama for re-election.  APWU is launching a new advertising campaign explaing to American how important the USPS is.  Senator Harkin co-sponsors legislation a bill to protect union rights Read more >>>  IFL President Ken Sagar addressed a hearing at the Iowa Statehouse on funding Iowa education. President Obama Has A Clear Message For Mitt Romney An article by CNN explains why Obama says the Auto bailouts worked and were pro-workers. It’s not much of a shock that lies are popping up in the Republican presidential nomination race. But in Michigan, Mitt Romney is telling one whopper of lie about the UAW, the auto bailout that saved two of the nation’s Big 3 car manufacturers and President Obama. In a nutshell, Romney says Obama should have let Chrysler and GM go bankrupt—that should win him a lot of votes in Michigan today—and Obama instead “gave the companies to the UAW.” Read more >>> 
Help BCTGM Sisters and Brothers Locked Out Across the Upper Midwest!
On August 1, 1,300 BCTGM members in Minnesota, North Dakota and in Mason City, Iowa were locked out of their factories by American Crystal Sugar. The company has hired replacement workers and continues to refuse to return to the bargaining table. HOW YOU CAN HELP Address checks to: Mail donations to: Thank you for standing in solidarity with the locked out workers of American Crystal Sugar! If Congress doesn't act now, taxes are set to go up by an average of $1,000 per family at the end of February. Let's make sure Congress gets the message loud and clear: Americans won't stand for tax hikes on the middle class. Sign the petition and stand with the thousands of Americans who have called on Speaker Boehner and Republicans in Congress to protect the middle class tax cuts. Thousands of marchers from the civil, labor and human rights community are expected to take part in a five-day march commemorating the historic 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, AL. Here is the latest news from around the Central Labor Councils in Iowa. This electronic newsletter was developed by the Central Labor Councils across the state. This monthly newsletter will keep you up to date on some of the latest news and happenings within the Central Labor Councils. If you have comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at ifl@iowaaflcio.org. Read more >>>Indiana Senate Passes RIght to Work Bill and goes to the House Congressman Bruce Braley on SOPA Warren Buffet offers to match GOP gifts to reduce the national debt. Read more >>> Obama says to Business: Bring Jobs Home. CONTACTS The 84th General Assembly convenes today at the Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines. Here's some key information for tracking legislation and contacting lawmakers. 2012 SESSION TIMETABLE found below.
Santorum talks at a Town Hall Meeting NLRB approves new rules to minimize undue Union Election delays. Read more >>> Find the link below Below you will find Hawkeye Labor Council's 2012 Meeting Calender. Read more >>> Eastern Iowa Democrats are Ready to Rumble for this years coming up Presidental Election. Both Parties saw a increase in Turnout at this years caucuses. Read more >>> Here you will find a list of our officers. The Hawkeye Labor Council is a coalition of unions. It is the official organization of the national AFL-CIO in East Central Iowa. The Hawkeye Labor Council represents 7 counties. The goals of the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO are social and economic justice. Achievement of strength of our affiliates by combining the talent, energy, activism and sense of justice of all of our affiliates, the Hawkeye Labor Council seeks to promote legislation that will enable the government to be responsive to the needs of working people and their families. Read more >>>  In Iowa today, the Alliance for Retired Americans is on the ground talking to senior citizens and Iowans about issues that affect retired older Americans today. A proud union partner, the ARA is working for the security of working families heading into retirement. AFL-CIO Now Blog -- Recent News Stories
The Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the state federation of labor representing over 9,000members of 45 unions throughout 7 counties (Linn, Iowa, Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Delaware and Jones) in East Central Iowa. The mission of the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of working families—to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our state and the nation. Read more... |
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