IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH

RATION O DE F E L F A B A O

W R

O I AFL-CIO

AFL-CIO

D e a s ow Moines I NEWS IOWAVolume 20, Issue 1 Official Publication of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO May 2020 Ken Sagar Retires as President of the Iowa Federation of Labor After 12 years as President of the dent of the IBEW State Conference; well as other unions in the decision “I have served on many boards, Iowa Federation of Labor (IFL), Ken IBEW Committee on Utility Deregu- making of the Federation. committees, task forces and other ef- Sagar is retiring, April 30, 2020. lations and on a number of Interna- Sagar committed to George Kour- forts. Some have not lived up to ex- Sagar began at the IFL in August pectations in terms of providing the of 1997, when he was elected as Sec- intended benefits for working peo- retary/Treasurer. Prior to that, he ple. A few have done something for was Business Manager/Financial workers, the IFL Executive Council, Secretary for over 12 years of IBEW the Labor Advisory Committee and Local 204, in the Cedar Rapids with the Iowa ARA board”, said Sagar. a jurisdiction of 86 counties in Iowa. “Working with trade unionists in He worked in the line depart- Iowa has been the honor of my life.” ment as summer help in 1973, sub- Said Sagar. “I believe that working station department as summer help people deserve more than simply sur- in 1974 and finally got on full time viving, we need to paraphrase Samu- in the production department at el Gompers, ‘more.’ We need to rein Sutherland Generating Station east in the corporate excesses and create of Marshalltown. a society that values work and those He held a variety of positions at who do it. A society that puts our chil- the power station including: Utility dren, our seniors and those who need Man, Coal and Ash Handler, Mo- our assistance before the creation of bile Equipment Operator, Operating more wealth for the wealthy. We can Engineer Helper and finally Relief do this and so much more, together.” Operating Engineer. It was from that He is looking forward to spending position he went on union leave on time with his wife Holly, his children January 28th, 1985 to an Assistant and grandchildren and of course Business Manager position in the tional IBEW Convention Committees. pais, IAM President and 1st Alliance more camping, fishing and working IBEW, 204 office. He was elected in Throughout the years at the IFL, for Retired Americans (ARA) Presi- to help workers get their fair share. June of 1985 to Business Manager. Sagar is proud of the “amazing” dent to build an Iowa chapter and “Ken has been a tireless advocate Sagar held many positions in the staff at the Iowa Federation of La- was fortunate to have much support for worker’s rights, and the Iowa union while he was working at the bor; the development of the Work- from affiliates, great presidents and Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO wish- facility including steward, chief stew- ing Iowa Neighbors program and staff in building the Iowa Chapter of es him and his family a happy and ard, plant safety committee, joint building of affiliation with Building the Alliance for Retired Americans. healthy retirement. He’s been a voice safety committee for production Trades unions, United Auto Work- He also appreciated the opportunity for workers for decades, and he won’t department, and negotiations com- ers, United Food and Commercial to help the restructuring of the Cen- stop that important work. While he mittee. After his election to Business Workers and International Brother- tral Labor Councils and their trans- may be retired from this position, Manager, he also served as: President hood of Teamsters. He believed it formation to Area Labor Federations anyone who has ever met him knows of the Iowa Utility Conference; Presi- important to expand the IFL Board which has provided full-time staff to that Ken won’t be retiring from the to include these new affiliates as grow and develop worker power. fight.” said Charlie Wishman. PAID U.S. POSTAGE U.S. PRESORT INC PRESORT NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT Ken

IFL 2020 Election IFL 2020 Election Endorsements for Endorsements for Inside This National & State Offices Area/Local Offices Issue ...... Pages 4-5 ...... Page 6 Iowa AFL-CIO Iowa News AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, Iowa A St., Suite 2000 Walker 50317 Des Moines, Iowa Page 2 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS May 2020 Iowa Legislature 2020 By Peter Hird, working class folks making their ers at state-run facilities are being IFL Secretary/Treasurer way into discussions. HF 2361 was forced to work, even upon a doc- COVID-19 affected the Iowa passed out of a Senate committee tor’s guidance to self-quarantine or legislature like other places where which prohibits employers from if they have been in contact with people gather throughout Iowa. requiring employees have a mi- coworkers who had tested posi- The current legislative process crochip implanted and offering in- tive for COVID-19. The effects of at the Iowa capitol came to a halt centives to do so. Another bill be- gutting of the collective bargaining on March 16th when the Senate ing discussed, SF 2332, is a bill to law have a real impact during this and House adjourned until a time prohibit employers from entering crisis. In 2017, thousands of state deemed necessary by the Legisla- into noncompete agreements with workers were stripped of their tive Council. low-wage employees. One thing to overtime eligibility. AFSCME has The previous week began like keep in mind, currently these and worked to strengthen working con- most busy weeks in the legislature. many other bills are left in limbo ditions for state employees. Nurses Students visited, advocacy groups with the temporary adjournment. employed through the Department set up presentations, lobbyists and Very few bills have been signed by of Human Services, Department of legislators shook hands while nor- the Governor thus far this year. No Corrections and the Iowa Veterans mal business was being conducted one knows when the session will Home will now receive overtime in meeting rooms and on the floor resume, and it’s hard to predict pay, which they weren’t earning of each chamber. As the week went what subjects will be discussed before. Our state workers protect on some people went about their normal business, but IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH things were notice-

RATION O DE F E L F A B A O W R ably changing. The O I AFL-CIO

AFL-CIO

act of shaking hands D e a s ow Moines I NEWS IOWA moved to bumping elbows, the hand The Iowa AFL-CIO News is the sanitizer placed in official publication of the front of the House Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Chamber was run- 2000 Walker St., Suite A ning low and rumors Des Moines, Iowa 50317 started to float about and is published quarterly. a possible closure. The Iowa capitol (515) 262-9571 building is home to hundreds of visitors iowaaflcio.org from around Iowa, around the country and from different parts of the world. Officers Shutting down the capitol was the right & Staff thing to do. On March 16th, the Iowa legislature President unanimously turned CHARLIE WISHMAN over some emergency powers to when the session reconvenes. I can our citizens, serve our veterans, [email protected] Governor Reynolds and appropri- say that when discussions start care for our disabled and elderly, ated money for regular business again, barring any safety reasons, guard our inmates and so many such as education, public health and we will be there. other tasks to keep our state run- Secretary/Treasurer public safety. This allowed public ning. Our public employees are PETER HIRD school districts to decide to close IOWA AND WORKERS risking their lives every day and [email protected] without having to make up extra SAFETY working non-stop for us. Governor days of school. Wisconsin, Illinois Other states in the nation have Reynolds needs to do more. and South Dakota already closed issued executive orders and rules Some Executive Orders from Political Director their schools, so it was odd for Iowa to protect their workers during Governor Reynolds were made to

JULIANNE FROSOLONE to allow districts to choose whether this pandemic. Illinois Governor slow the spread of the virus. At the julianne@iowaaflcio,org to close their district or not. Only Prizker declared a Shelter-in-Place current time, mass gatherings of a few days later Governor Reyn- order to help flatten the curve but more than 10 people are prohibited Communications Director olds finally recommended closing also allowed and defined essential in the state of Iowa but there is no LANCE COLES schools for four weeks to slow the workers to continue to go to work. order for protecting workers from [email protected] spread of the virus after a case of Then the Illinois Workers’ Com- gathering in a workplace. There are community contact was reported. pensation Commission declared no definitions of private sector es- The Governor also left it up to in- an emergency rule and presumed sential or non-essential workers in Organizing Director dividual school districts to decide if that if essential workers contract Iowa. There is no order mandating BEN MURRY they wanted to pay their workforce. COVID-19 it would be covered un- employers to practice social dis- [email protected] Thankfully, districts did decide to der the rule of workers compensa- tancing. There is no rule requiring pay their employees. Some did not tion. A ruling that is only fair to employers to provide the proper initially, but community pressure those who are risking their lives personal protective equipment Bookkeeper helped push districts to continue to serve the greater good. Other (PPE) according to CDC guide- JAMIE MILLER [email protected] paying many school employees. states, too, have enacted similar lines. Governor Reynolds has left Districts have moved to online edu- orders for essential workers and your safety up to your employer, cation or allowing parents to safely first responders. Iowa should keep and they decide whether it is safe pick up materials. This has assisted up with other states to ensure for you to work. Governor Reyn- teachers around Iowa to still help workers are protected if the worst olds needs to do more. educate their students. were to happen. Governor Reyn- Throughout this crisis, Gover- Before suspending this year’s olds needs to do more. nor Reynolds has been more reac- legislative session, many bills The safety of workers across tive in her decision making than were still being discussed. Along Iowa is at-risk, but even the state’s proactive. It is clear, business is (812) 923-1111 with some negative legislation, own employees face imminent a higher priority to her than the there were a few positive bills for danger in their workplaces. Work- workers she serves. May 2020 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 3

The President's View . . . The Working Class Will Save This Nation are if they already did not know. wouldn’t lift a finger to help the literally cost lives and result in While many are fortunate to working class in their life are sud- throwing our economy into a deep be able to work from home, or do denly backing direct stimulus pay- recession. much of their work from home, ments to working class Americans This crisis has exposed a lot to many are not. Too often we have (but not all who contribute to the Americans, but what will they re- heard of working conditions set economy) – because they know member and learn from those les- by employers that put workers at someone has to have money to buy sons? What good is it to celebrate a unnecessary risk. The state of Iowa goods and services to keep this stock market that is sky-high, when and its Governor have not pro- economy afloat. They know that so many Americans are not benefit- vided leadership on worker safety the folks they normally help can- ing from it? What good is it to cel- since the outbreak, leaving it up to employers to ignore common sense safety standards during a time like this. Workers are essential, but IFL President they are not expendable. Charlie Wishman The working class will save this Every few decades, this nation nation in our hospitals, our streets, is reminded of the power of the our public services, our retail and working class. Usually, it happens grocery stores, and many other in times of crisis, like we are facing workplaces and collective actions. now. Tens of thousands of Ameri- The working class will also save Solidarity cans have now died, and many of this nation’s economy, once again, them were likely preventable. There like it eventually always does. will be plenty of time to figure out Every time you have ever heard what could have been done and someone say, “I’ve never had a not do it on their own. ebrate a low unemployment rate, when it should have been done. poor person give me a job,” it is In Wisconsin, thousands showed when most of those who are unem- Right now, essential workers of been a ridiculous statement and up to vote in unsafe conditions be- ployed are living paycheck to pay- all kinds are risking their lives to completely untrue. Just how ab- cause they know their voice is im- check? What good is it to celebrate keep this nation running. There are surd that statement is, of course portant, and they want to be heard. an app-based tech revolution in too many countless workers that is on full display now. Economies When Iowans vote in its June pri- work, when faced with unemploy- keep this nation and its economy prosper because of consumer, or mary, we have absolute faith that ment the companies who always running to name, but they deserve worker demand for goods, not working-class voters will show up considered them “independent con- the thanks and appreciation of all because of trickle-down econom- just like they did in Wisconsin. We tractors” and not employees leave Americans. Americans of all stripes ics. Previously we have all been have fought too long and too hard them high and dry for taxpayers to and political persuasions have been told that tax cuts for the rich will for everyone to be able to vote to help in their time of need? reminded of this since the global stimulate the economy, but it is al- disenfranchise ourselves. We have When all of this is done, whenev- outbreak of the Covid-19. It is the ways been a lie. It is been a lie that also seen the consequences of bad er that happens, will Americans re- 99% who will save this nation, not masks the true intentions of much leadership on many levels of gov- member? This crisis will transform the 1%, or the so called “job cre- of the political class, which is to ernment. Elections have conse- America. It is up to all of us to make ators.” Americans have found out line the pockets of the rich. That’s quences, as we always say. Bad sure it is a better America than we just exactly who the job creators why so-called budget hawks who leadership that we have seen can had before all of this began. Profits Over People By Jay Smith & Dennis McElwain President would take the opportu- packing industry to deal with COV- plants in Iowa). And, the President During the course of the last seven nity to protect these critical cogs of ID-19. However, guidelines are not also has indicated that he would weeks, in some ways, the world has the nation’s infrastructure and food standards, but rather, guidelines like to see these employers shield- changed profoundly. However, in supply in light of the COVID-19 Pan- are voluntary recommendations. As ed from legal liability as a result of other ways, it has not changed at all. demic. It would seem to make com- with any guideline, there is no legal employees contracting COVID-19 And, it is the way in which the world mon sense that basis to compel in their plants. Meanwhile, Iowa’s has not changed at all that should re- there would be action. There Governor has stood shoulder to mind us how important the stakes rules, not guide- is no legal ba- shoulder with the President urging are in November’s Election, and for lines, to attempt sis to require him along. Simply put, it is appar- that matter, in every election. to make the compliance. ent that the President and Iowa’s As many Iowans know, Iowa is a plants safe for In turn, em- Governor value profits over people. national leader in pork production. workers. And, it ployees of the Throughout its history, the Labor There are large pork meatpacking would seem to meatpacking Movement has been a strong voice plants scattered across Iowa, includ- make common industry and on behalf of working people. The ing in Sioux City, Denison, Water- sense that enact- the community Labor Movement has largely stood loo, Marshalltown, Ottumwa, Perry, ing such rules are dependent up to this challenge. COVID-19 is Storm Lake, and Columbus Junction would not only upon employ- not going away any time soon. For to name a few places. Some of these help safeguard the food supply and ers, whose primary motive is profit, the time being, our world will con- plants are represented by the Local workers, but also the larger commu- to help prevent the spread of CO- tinue to be profoundly changed. Unions while others are not. In to- nities, including strained health sys- VID-19. Put another way, there is However, the Labor Movement tal, these plants and others are vital tems, from the spread of COVID-19. It no enforceable, legal mechanism has the opportunity to help lend its to the national food supply chain as would seem to make common sense. to require meatpacking employers voice once again to working people well as the communities in which However, it is apparent that common to take precautions to help stop the this November, to be a strong voice, the plants are located. And, impor- sense, and for that matter common spread of COVID-19. and to say – “enough is enough, no tantly, due to the close proximity decency, is in short supply when the To make matters worse, the Presi- more profits over people.” The La- in which employees have to work, use of common sense potentially in- dent issued an Executive Order pro- bor Movement must act to mobilize these plants have the potential to in- terferes with profits. hibiting states from shutting down its members, to speak on behalf of crease the spread of COVID-19 dra- Today, there are no OSHA stan- meatpacking plants due to the CO- working people, and to help in- matically without adequate stan- dards to protect against the spread VID-19 Pandemic, which appears to stitute new leadership on both the dards in place to protect employees. of COVID-19 in the meatpacking in- have been done at the behest of John Federal and State Level. In the No- It would seem to make common dustry – none. OSHA and the CDC Tyson, Chairman of Tyson Foods, vember election, it is not too much sense that Iowa’s Governor and the put out guidelines for the meat- Inc. (Tyson has several meatpacking to say that lives are on the line. Page 4 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS May 2020

Iowa Federation of Labor 2020 Election Endorsements

Alvin Aragon Iowa State Senate SD38 Theresa Greenfield US Senate

IOWA STATE IOWA STATE Keith Puntenney HOUSE HOUSE Iowa State Senate SD24 Bjorn Johnson HD 4 Kenan Judge HD 44 Deb Jensen HD 7 Beth Wessel-Kroeschell HD 45 NO ENDORSEMENT HD 11 Ross Wilburn HD 46 Chris Hall HD 13 Shelly Stotts HD 47 Steve Hansen HD 14 Jack Friend HD 48 Charlie McConkey HD 15 Selden Spencer HD 49 Jen Pellant HD 16 Dennis Evans HD 50 Jan Creasman HD 17 Jane Podgorniak HD 51 Nick Miller HD 19 Todd Prichard HD 52 Ryan Morrison HD 20 Sharon Steckman HD 53 Shawna Anderson HD 22 NO ENDORSEMENT HD 54 Caleb Short HD 25 Kayla Koether HD 55 Scott Ourth HD 26 Angela Reed HD 56 Cody Dilliner HD 27 Andy McKean HD 58 Wes Breckenridge HD 29 Bob Kressig HD 59 Lori Slings HD 30 Dave Williams HD 60 Rick Olson HD 31 Timi Brown-Powers HD 61 Ruth Ann Gaines HD 32 Ras Smith HD 62 Brian Meyer HD 33 Carissa Froyum HD 63 Bruce Hunter HD 34 Bruce Bearinger HD 64 Ako Abdul-Samad HD 35 Liz Bennett HD 65 Marti Anderson HD 36 Art Staed HD 66 Andrea Phillips HD 37 Eric Gjerde HD 67 Heather Matson HD 38 Molly Donahue HD 68 Karin Derry HD 39 Kirsten Running-Marquardt HD 69 John Forbes HD 40 Tracy Ehlert HD 70 Tom Courtney Jo Oldson HD 41 Sue Cahill HD 71 Kristin Sunde HD 42 Christina Blackcloud HD 72 Iowa State Senate SD44 Jennifer Konfrst HD 43 Lonny Pulkrabek HD 73 May 2020 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 5

Christina Blackcloud Vicki Lensing Iowa State House HD 72 Iowa State House HD 85

FEDERAL CANDIDATES Theresa Greenfield US SENATE Abby Finkenauer Congressional District 1 Rita Hart Congressional District 2 Theresa Greenfield Cindy Axne US Senate Congressional District 3 J.D. Scholten IOWA STATE Congressional District 4 Chuck Isenhart HOUSE Iowa State House HD 100 David Jacoby HD 74 Ruby Bodeker HD 75 Sarah Smith HD 76 IOWA STATE IOWA STATE Amy Nielsen HD 77 SENATE SENATE Kimberly Davis HD 78 CJ Petersen SD 6 Mary Gaskill HD 81 Pam Egli SD 32 Steve Gorman SD 8 Phil Miller HD 82 Liz Mathis SD 34 Warren Varley SD 10 Jeff Kurtz HD 83 Dave Degner SD 36 Joey Norris SD 12 Jeff Fager HD 84 Alvin Aragon SD 38 Nate Boulton SD 16 Vicki Lensing HD 85 Rich Taylor SD 42 Janet Petersen SD 18 Mary Mascher HD 86 Tom Courtney SD 44 Rhonda Martin SD 20 Dennis Cohoon HD 87 Chris Brase SD 46 NO ENDORSEMENT SD 22 Sandy Dockendorf HD 88 Pam Jochum SD 50 Keith Puntenney SD 24 Monica Kurth HD 89 Matt Tapscott SD 28 Cindy Winckler HD 90 Eric Giddens SD 30 Kelcey Brackett HD 91 Jennifer Kakert HD 92 Phyllis Thede HD 93 Marie Gleason HD 94 Christian Andrews HD 95 Ryan Zeskey HD 97 Mary Wolfe HD 98 Lindsay James HD 99 Chuck Isenhart HD 100 VOTE! See page 6 for more endorsements. Area Labor Federations are still making endorsements but some were not made before the deadline to print. They will be included in the next two issues of the paper. Page 6 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS May 2020 Keeping Iowa Workers Safe During a Pandemic By Charlie Wishman, work to keep our economy running humans to operate in again. While ing symptoms. In fact, you may be IFL President who contracts COVID-19 should that is going on, no one should lose the most contagious at that time. The Iowa Federation of Labor, be entitled to Worker’s Compensa- their house, not be able to pay rent, Given that knowledge, if you are AFL-CIO publicly called on the tion. go hungry, face utility disconnects, thinking you are able to stop the vi- Governor of Iowa to do the right We believe that if you are going or face other financial hardships rus from coming in by doing symp- thing by workers and take proactive to work during a pandemic, you because of the failure of employers tom questionnaires and tempera- measures to keep workers safe in all are putting your life on the line. All to keep the work environment safe. ture checks, you are dead wrong. workplaces. If Iowa is ever going work has dignity and value, but Further, even if the entire workplace We need to test, test, test, until we does not shut down, someone going can stop the virus from even enter- into a quarantine situation should ing the workplace and send those not have to worry about that, on top who test positive for proper medical of having contracted a deadly dis- care. ease. If Governor Reynolds does not  Iowa should be ramping up act through putting in place some testing for essential workers, espe- emergency rules, the legislature cially in places like packinghous- must act. If neither of them acts, we es and factories so that outbreaks need to replace them with a new like we have seen already do not legislature, as well as a new Gover- further spread to our communities nor in 2022. Not putting these mea- and workplaces. sures in place, especially setting an Everything that we do know OSHA standard and enforcing it, about this virus tell us that you can is nothing but a dereliction of their transmit it when you are not show- duties.

to get its economy up and running much of it cannot be done remotely WILF Endorses again, it needs to take the following and is what we now call “essen- steps, and should have already. tial.” If your work is essential, your  OSHA should set guidelines health is too. Making COVID-19 for worker safety and health that infected employees eligible for Tim Kacena protects workers from contracting workers compensation means that By Scott Punteney tative, Tim has shown the leader- COVID-19. employers will take better precau- Western Iowa Labor Federation ship, character, and integrity that is Right now, OSHA in Iowa is op- tions to protect employees, as well President needed on the Woodbury County erating from an outdated set of rules as ensure that no costs for recovery Greetings from the Western Iowa Board of Supervisors. We also en- for this pandemic we find ourselves or other damages that come from Labor Federation. dorse Chad Sheehan in the Repub- in. There are a number of other COVID-19 fall on the workers. Congratulations to IFL President lican primary race for Woodbury states that have taken it upon them-  Any employer that shuts down Ken Sagar on his recent retirement. County Sheriff. The Western Iowa selves to set these guidelines and due to a COVID-19 outbreak must The Delegates and Affiliated Locals Labor Federation is confident that enforce them. Iowa has not. Work- continue to pay employees as well of the Western Iowa Labor Federa- Tim and Chad are the right choices ers are dying and will continue to as continue their health insurance tion want to acknowledge and thank for working families. Please sup- until employers are forced to ensure coverage. President Sagar for his dedication port these candidates that support that worker safety is their top prior- If there is an outbreak in a work- and commitment to making Iowa you! ity, not profits. place, it needs to be shut down so a better place for working families. The Western Iowa Labor Federa-  Any worker who is going to it can be cleaned and made safe for Thank you President Sagar, your tion is excited to announce our new- leadership will be missed. est affiliates: IUPAT DC # 81, CWA The Western Iowa Labor Fed- # 7108 and LiUNA # 1140! Welcome eration endorses Tim Kacena for Brothers and Sisters! IFL 2020 Area/Local Woodbury County Supervisor. Remember to request your bal- Throughout his career as a Sioux lots by mail and make your voice Election Endorsements City Fireman, President of IAFF heard! local # 7, and as a State Represen- In Solidarity. Area Labor Federations are still making endorsements but some were not made before the deadline to print. They will be included in the next two issues of the paper.

NORTH IOWA NINE Steve Hepperly Sheriff Winnebago County HAWKEYE LABOR COUNCIL Linda Langston Auditor Linn County IOWA CITY FEDERATION OF LABOR Brad Kunkel Sheriff Johnson County SW IOWA LABOR FEDERATION Lisa Lima Supervisor Pottawattamie County NW IOWA LABOR FEDERATION Marty Pottebaum Supervisor Woodbury County Chad Sheehan Sheriff Woodbury County BLACK HAWK LABOR ASSEMBLY Chris Schwartz Supervisor Black Hawk County WESTERN IOWA LABOR FEDERATION Tim Kacena Supervisor Woodbury County GREAT RIVER AREA LABOR FEDERATION Tony Keefe Supervisor, Dist. 1 Lee County May 2020 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 7

The Secretary-Treasurer's Notes . . . The CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ed situation, workers on unemploy- Although these recent achieve- to win re-election and get the right ment will be receiving a $600 weekly ments are worthy of being proud, team to work with. We must elect increase of unemployment benefit. so much more can be done for the Rita Hart and JD Scholten to Con- We all know that the normal unem- working class. Programs like OSHA gress. We must do everything we ployment insurance benefit is far have hard working people doing can and put Theresa Greenfield in below what people normally earn. On top of that, direct payments up to $1200 per person will be sent out to working class families. Some items in the CARES Act may be not be getting the attention deserved. While much of the media remains focused on daily briefings, worker and transparency protec- IFL Secretary Treasurer tions were put in place on govern- Peter Hird ment loans. There will be restric- During a crisis, we look to our tions on any increases to executive leadership for answers and we compensation and no stock buy- should all be grateful for hav- backs or dividends will be allowed ing Iowa Democrats in Congress. for the length of the loan plus one There is no doubt, we wouldn’t year. Payroll payments for airline have many of the provisions of the workers were provided and that CARES Act for workers without our the airline companies are under the friends at the table. This could not same stock buybacks and dividend have happened without everyone’s protections as other loans. Another the best they can but have been se- Iowa’s Senate seat. And most of all, hard work in 2018 to get Represen- point that should make everyone verely underfunded and without we must work our tails off for our tatives Axne, Finkenauer and Loeb- happy is that businesses controlled strong leadership. It is infuriating endorsed candidate for President sack elected. Their support of work- by the President, Vice-President, to think that the Department of La- of the United States and get them ing-class Iowans will be incredibly members of Congress and executive bor is being run by a union busting elected. The labor movement has helpful during this crisis. department heads will not be eligi- attorney. The NLRB is disenfran- fought through these terrible times, The CARES Act biggest benefit to ble for these loans. A new congres- chising workers who wish to be in managed to hold our heads above unemployed and part-time workers sional oversight commission was a union and siding with employers water and stood our ground. Now, will be the unemployment insur- created as well as a special inspector at every turn. Representative Axne we will take back the democracy we ance expansion. In an unprecedent- general. and Finkenauer will need our help deserve. Voting by Mail in the June 2nd Primary Election By Julianne Frosolone, be sure to vote for union-endorsed June 2nd Primary Election. You DO I HAVE TO PICK A IFL Political Director candidates like Theresa Greenfield can download a Voter Registra- POLITICAL PARTY? Sisters and brothers, voting by in the U.S. Senate Primary. For a tion form on the Iowa Secretary of Yes. Primary elections are closed mail is the best way to have your comprehensive list of Iowa AFL- State’s website or register on their to members of individual political voice heard in the June 2nd Prima- CIO endorsed candidates, check online form. The “Worry Free parties, so when you request your ry Election. Due to absentee ballot, you will need to the COVID-19 pan- choose a party. Your voter registra- demic, election offi- tion will be updated to whichever cials across the state party you choose to receive a ballot are encouraging Io- for. wans to vote from home to ensure the IMPORTANT PRIMARY health and safety of ELECTION DATES both voters and poll  Thursday, April 23rd – First workers. Day of Absentee Voting by mail for the Primary Election HOW DO I VOTE  Monday, May 18th – Worry BY MAIL? Free Postmark Date for Voter Reg- The Secretary of istration Forms State’s office has  Friday, May 22nd – Deadline mailed every regis- to request an Absentee Ballot by tered Iowa voter an mail; absentee ballot re- Pre-registration Deadline for the quest form. If you Primary Election have not received a request form, pages 4-5. Your ballot must arrive at Postmark Date” for mailing your  Tuesday, June 2nd – Primary you can download one on the Iowa your County Auditor’s office by no completed registration form is Election Day Secretary of State’s website. Regard- later than 9:00 pm on Election Day, Monday, May 18th. Like your ab- less, your completed absentee ballot June 2nd, so it’s best to mail it back sentee ballot request form, it must WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I request form must arrive at your as soon as possible. arrive at your County Auditor’s HAVE A QUESTION? County Auditor’s office no later office by 5:00 pm on May 22nd. To Please feel free to reach out to than 5:00 pm on May 22nd. County WHAT IF I’M NOT REGISTERED vote by mail, include a completed Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Auditors began mailing Primary TO VOTE? absentee ballot request form along Political Director, Julianne Froso- Election Ballots on April 23rd. No worries! You can still regis- with your completed voter regis- lone, at [email protected] Once you receive your ballot, ter to vote and participate in the tration form. with any questions. Page 8 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS May 2020 Wishman, Hird Appointed by IFL Charlie Wishman and Peter Hird every day, and I’m excited about were appointed by the IFL Execu- what we will be able to accomplish tive Board at a special meeting on together. The Federation was first April 30, as President and Secre- formed in 1894, and we’re excited tary/Treasurer. They both will of- to continue this work that’s been ficially take office May 1, 2020. going on for over 125 years.” Charlie Wishman became Secre- Peter Hird is from the Dubuque tary/Treasurer of the Iowa Federa- area, where he worked as an in- tion of Labor, AFL-CIO in January side lineman electrician with In- of 2012. Charlie is a member of ternational Brotherhood of Electri- AFT Local 716, and has also previ- cal Workers Union Local 704. He ously been a member of the Inter- received an Associate’s degree in national Association of Machinists electronics (2002). He served on the and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) local apprenticeship committee. He as well as the American Federation was a trustee for pension and health of State, County and Municipal & Welfare, on the executive board Employees (AFSCME). He worked and Vice President. From 2014 thru as the Community Liaison for the 2020 he was a union organizer for Food Bank of Iowa from 2003-2006, the local, with two successful orga- and then became a union mem- nizing drives with Dubuque hotels. ber when he became an organizer work at the Federation fighting for workers’ rights “Being an organizer gave me the for Iowa Citizen Action Network as Communications Director and safe workplaces have opportunity to give people a path in 2006. In 2009 he became a staff before stepping into the role as Sec- been what I’ve always done. The into a union workplace,” said Hird. member of AFSCME Council 61 retary/Treasurer in 2012. team at the IFL is second to none, Peter recently moved to Des Moines as a Communications Specialist. “I’m excited to take on this new the unions that make up the Iowa with his wife Jess and his 1 year old In the fall of 2011 Charlie came to role and its challenges, however Federation of Labor make us proud son, Lucas. Using Data to Make Good Decisions in the COVID-19 Crisis By Mike Owen sen metrics assured it would be dif- tween the first 21 weeks of the 2007- further send an intimidating mes- These days the numbers seem to ficult for any region to hit the magic 09 Great Recession and the last 21 sage to administrative law judges come in waves from the COVID-19 score of 10 on a 12-point scale. weeks, covering start of the COVID outside the parameters of legal pro- crisis. Sometimes they tell a story; One region did reach 10, but the emergency. And the data are telling cesses that have been established sometimes they don’t. Sometimes Governor’s order — for that re- — the last six weeks are far heavier, to set laws and the regulations de- they offer insights; sometimes only gion — was well short of a shelter- with over 260,700 claims. signed to enforce them,” we stated. noise. in-place order that many hoped to So, as we consider when to ex- From the numbers, we know The pandemic tests not just our see. When the Governor acted in pect people to go back to work in that by the end of April, less than 2 leaders, but all Iowans for percent of Iowans had been our ability to make forward- tested for a highly conta- thinking decisions while gious virus that has claimed dealing with an immediate at least 162 lives and infected crisis. That means we all over 7,100. need to be careful with data. What will these numbers Which numbers deserve at- and this emergency policy tention? Which will help us making process teach us for decide it is time to return life the future, for good decision to normal? making? These are always Governor Kim Reynolds questions for policy making, thinks we are there already, but in the spring of 2020, not two months into the all Iowans may have a bet- emergency. She talks about ter appreciation of it. This is using data to make deci- not about politics, but about sions. But how she does so governing. If this governor has been at times a mystery. or a future governor makes Case in point: the Governor’s use late April to relax previous limits, a responsible timeframe, consider good decisions with data in an of a matrix of selected data points she focused not on the regions but those numbers: The quarter-mil- emergency, lives are saved. to determine risks on a regional ba- on counties where case numbers lion-plus claims represent people, Because of the strong support of sis, and her decision to relax social- appeared low. So now, we do not not all of those who will be affected Iowa labor unions and individu- distancing measures — already lim- know if the regional data is worth by loss of jobs, but people facing als, IPP researchers have helped Io- ited in comparison to those in most following— or if it is just noise. real-life decisions, some very diffi- wans understand the numbers and states — on May 1 for 77 of Iowa’s Some data tell us much about the cult ones. to offer context for the making, and 99 counties. challenges ahead. Consider weekly So it matters when the Governor evaluation, of decisions. We will The regional matrix itself has unemployment claims. IPP Senior and her administration are discour- continue to do this work. We hope been a mystery. As Iowa Policy Proj- Research Consultant Colin Gordon aging some of that number from you will consider a substantial con- ect Research Director Peter Fisher — who produces our State of Work- daring not to return to work in tribution in 2020, from your union has noted, in a policy brief April ing Iowa analysis and has examined what they consider an unsafe work- organization and — if you can — 6 and on the IPP website (www. working family issues such as wage ing condition, as IPP noted in pieces personally as well. iowapolicyproject.org), it took theft — has noted the weekly claims posted April 30 and quoted in The Contact me at mikeowen@io- an enterprising news reporter to give a far better picture of real-time Des Moines Register. wapolicyproject.org for more infor- expose the guidelines being used. changes than the monthly job re- “The Governor’s comments have mation about our work. And, once they were shown, Fisher ports. the effect of bullying workers into Mike Owen is executive director of pointed out any “shelter-in-place” Gordon also compiled a compari- work arrangements that they could the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project in order was unlikely because the cho- son of the jobless claim changes be- never have expected. Her comments Iowa City.