In Unity there is Strength
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D e a s ow Moines I NEWS IOWAVolume 13, Issue 3 Official Publication of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO December 2013 S u ppor t O u r V e t s By Jan Laue, President Iowa ARA benefits to over 9 million veterans – at age 65 would receive a benefit cut Veterans should be assured that the We are eternally grateful to our about 4 in 10 veterans today – and of $588 at age 75 and $1,025 at age benefits will be there for them and veterans every day of the year, but 35 percent of adult Social Security 85. By age 95, when Social Security their families. Most Americans re- on Veterans Day, in particular, we may be needed ceiving VA benefits live modestly recognize and thank the veterans in the most, that and cannot afford to have their our communities who gave their all veteran would benefits reduced. Instead, Social in service and sacrifice for our coun- lose $1,450 – a Security and VA benefits should be try. The least we can do in return is reduction of 9.2 adjusted by a formula that more ac- to make sure they receive every ben- percent.* curately reflects the true cost of liv- efit they deserve. The situa- ing of seniors, veterans and those Politicians in Washington are tion would be with disabilities. The CPI-E, for ex- proposing to balance the budget by even worse for ample, takes into account the actual cutting benefits for veterans and So- the veterans expenses of an elderly or disabled cial Security beneficiaries by reduc- who have been population, accounting for higher ing their cost of living adjustment injured in the health care expenditures, and it through a formula change known line of duty. A would keep benefits from eroding as the “chained CPI.” This cut af- disabled veter- over time. fects not only beneficiaries of Social an who started Veterans Day 2013 marks a day Security, but also veterans and their Ron Montgomery, Iowa ARA Board Member. (Photo receiving VA of remembrance for all who served. families who receive Military Re- by Lance Coles) disability ben- We should show our honor and ap- tirement pay, Veterans Pension ben- efits at age 30 in preciation for those who fought for efits, Veterans Disability Compen- beneficiaries are veterans or their 2012 would have his or her benefits and helped build this country by sation, Subsistence Allowance for family members. reduced by $1,425 at age 45, $2,341 preserving the basic programs that veterans in vocational rehabilitation the average benefit for a vet- at age 55 and $ 3,231 at age 65.* ensure Americans a decent quality and employment programs, survi- eran receiving Social Security was Military men and women contrib- of life and make our country great. vor annuities for veterans’ families $15,768 in 2012. Implementing the ute to Social Security just like other (*Source: Strengthen Social Secu- and more. Because of the number chained CPI would significantly working Americans, from their first rity fact sheet. Social Security and VA of programs that would be subject reduce those benefits. A veteran paycheck at boot camp, to their last COLA Cuts Will Have a Big Effect on to the chained CPI, veterans would with average earnings who retires paycheck at the end of their career. Veterans and their Families, 2013.) receive double, triple or more hits from the chained CPI. it is simply immoral to balance the budget on the backs of American soldiers who already sacrificed for Center For Worker Justice Grows us in Iraq, Afghanistan and count- By Robin Clark Bennett growing job opportunities have dignity for all workers both on the less other wars, or the widows, wid- After Omer arrived in Iowa City been concentrated in sectors with job and in their communities. owers and children who have lost from Sudan, he first found work low unionization rates and pov- established in 2012 with strong their family members defending through a temp agency working on erty wages. In these sectors, un- support from local labor unions our country. a fast-paced production line at a local and churches, CWJ’s core Social Security currently pays factory. Instead of giving him a pay- membership has grown check, the agency assigned him a debit to include nearly 300 low- card and promised to deposit his wages wage workers. Its mem-
c. onto the card on each payday. After he bers come from at least 18
rg. left the factory, Omer realized that he countries of origin; most had been shorted nearly a full week of are recent immigrants of tage
s wages. He tried for months to recover Latin American and Afri-
PAID his pay, unsuccessfully, until activ- can origin. At its core, CWJ -Profit O ort Mail, In n
s ists from the Center for Worker Justice shares the labor move- U.S. Po
No (CWJ) knocked on his door as part of ment’s belief that work- Pre a neighborhood education campaign. ers themselves must lead CWJ worked with Omer to send a let- any meaningful efforts to ter to his employer demanding his pay, improve their lives. Just signed by dozens of labor and com- CWJ members at a training session. as CWJ’s diverse mem- munity allies. Within a week, the em- bership represents a new ployer paid the full wages he was owed. derfunded enforcement agencies alliance among low-wage workers, Since then, Omer has remained active provide very little protection from CWJ’s network of organizational af- in CWJ, to help other workers who face abuse, and employers increasingly filiates is a powerful new coalition similar abuses. evade unionization and workplace between unions, churches, afford- the Center for Worker Justice of laws by shifting to temporary work able housing groups, university Eastern Iowa (CWJ) is Iowa’s first arrangements and misclassifying staff and students, and immigrant “workers’ center” – a non-profit, workers as “independent contrac- advocacy organizations that had community-based organization tors.” The result is a “wild west” en- not previously worked together. where low-wage workers can come vironment, in which workers’ most The group’s new meeting space re- together, learn about their civil and basic rights are routinely violated. flects this exciting collaboration – in workplace rights, and take action CWJ and other workers’ centers use October 2013 CWJ opened a new, with support from local unions, grassroots, community organizing shared meeting space with the Iowa churches, and community groups. strategies to shine a public spotlight City Federation of Labor and the For decades, many of the fastest- on employer abuses, and demand continued on page 8 Iowa AFL-CIO News Iowa AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, Iowa A St., Suite 2000 Walker 50317 Des Moines, Iowa Page 2 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS December 2013 Courts Matter Why? By Lance Coles, Many of these vacancies have do with the balance of powers of the Southern District of Iowa, wrote an Communications Director gone on over 1,200 days. Iowa cur- branches of government. op-ed in the Des Moines Register, Senate Democrats had enough of rently does not have any District the remaining three vacancies where he expressed his concerns. the Senate Republicans continuing Court vacancies. are in a bitter debate, including one “While Congress has averted the to block President Obama’s nomi- the Senate Republicans filibus- seat that has been vacant since 2005. worst-case scenario it so perilously nees to courts, and changed the Sen- tered almost all the judge nomina- Center for American Progress Ac- approached this week, it will very ate rules on filibusters and blocking tions, rather than letting them come tion Fund President, Tom Perriello likely find itself in the same posi- presidential nominations, specifi- to a vote. Senator Grassley, Rank- issued a statement that read: “The tion come January and the courts cally judicial nominations. ing Member of the Senate Judiciary function of our federal courts should will once again suffer from its in- according to Courtsmatter.org in Committee, led that charge. depend on the rule of law, not po- decision. The judicial branch, while the last year alone, more than 195 federal courts play a vital role litical games. The unprecedented seemingly independent of the other million Americans – nearly 65% of in democracy and make rulings on decision by Senate Republicans two, cannot do its work without the the U.S. population – lived in a com- virtually every issue that is impor- to filibuster all three of President support of the other two branches munity with a federal courtroom tant to the American public. Barack Obama’s current nominees of government. Without effective vacancy. The result is a backlog of the normal process to fill a va- cases that undermines our system of cancy is: First, The White House con- justice and makes it difficult for most sults with the home state senators. Americans to have their cases heard There are numerous investigations in a timely manner. Thousands of and multiple interviews. Once this is cases go unheard every day, deny- done, the nominee is in the hands of ing Americans their day in court. the Senate Judiciary Committee. the Senate Judiciary Committee In UnIty there Is strength has the nominee fill out a question-
RATION O DE F E L F A B A O W R naire, and they send “blue slips” to O AFL-CIO I
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home senators for approval of Com- D e a s ow Moines I NEWS IOWA Official Publication of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO mittee consideration. The process is on hold until the home senators The Iowa AFL-CIO News is the return the “blue slips”. A nominee official publication of the could be held up for long periods, Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO without explanation, waiting for a 2000 Walker St., Suite A “blue slip” to be returned. Des Moines, Iowa 50317 once the “blue slips” are returned, and is published quarterly. the Senate Judiciary Committee is to conduct a hearing, where the nomi- (515) 262-9571 nee can be questioned. Following to our nation’s second-most im- and zealot advocates and without the hearing the Committee votes. If portant court scores cheap partisan adequate funding, we are a branch iowaaflcio.org the nominee is voted favorably out points at the expense of fully func- of government in name only and of committee, with a majority vote, tioning judicial branch that rules on the important obligations that have the nominee can be forwarded to the the issues - from the environment to been assigned to us by the Constitu- Senate floor for consideration by the women’s health to worker’s rights – tion will not get accomplished and Officers entire Senate. that matter to allA mericans. our duty of resolving controversies the Senate majority leader sched- Senate Republicans have admit- will be a hollow promise.” & Staff ules the vote, which is usually by ted that their obstructionist votes everyone is encouraged to con- unanimous consent – meaning that to keep the D.C. Circuit nearly 30 tact their Senators and let them all 100 senators agree to limit debate President percent vacant are not based on the know that they need to fill the va- Ken D. Sagar and allow a vote. As a result, sena- merits of the nominees. It is clear cancies in our courts because it [email protected] tors in the minority can block the that the filibusters amount to po- is causing an undue hardship on prompt scheduling of a Senate vote, litical games and are a part of the Americans. Secretary/Treasurer which can postpone the nomination right’s plan to govern by nullifica- Charlie Wishman almost indefinitely. All this done tion and shut down the government [email protected] without unanimous consent, there from the inside. State Political Director is an effective filibuster of a nomi- We need policymakers to work Betty Brim-Hunter nee, and the majority leader can together immediately to fulfill the [email protected] only force a confirmation vote by minimal obligations they have filing cloture. Cloture is very time promised the people, namely their Communications Director consuming, and requires 60 votes constitutional duty to advise and Lance Coles to end debate and proceed to confir- consent on the nomination of fed- [email protected] mation vote. eral judges. Because Republicans Political Organizer Senate Republicans have cho- have abused the rules of the Senate, Ben Murry sen to depart dramatically from the leadership should embrace reform [email protected] long tradition of deference to the that will stop the minority of the President and home state Senators Senate from continuing to disable Mark Your Political Organizer on district court nominees. Instead, our government.” Tracy LEONE an unprecedented number of Presi- republicans are trying to prevent Calendar [email protected] dent Obama’s highly qualified judi- President Obama from filling these Bookkeeper cial nominees have been targeted for seats because they believe he will Jamie Miller opposition and obstruction includ- alter the current conservative tilt. C.O.P.E. [email protected] ing the unprecedented attempts to They also believe that there is not a filibuster district court nomination need to have 11 judges on this court, Convention Administrative Assistant and to filibuster nominations with because of the courts caseload. LeeAnn Ambler support from Republican home state During President George W April 26, 2014 [email protected] Senators, stated courtsmatter.org. Bush’s presidency, he had four Iowa ARA Organizer the U.S. Court of Appeals for the nominees confirmed to the D.C. Cir- Iowa AFL-CIO Midge Slater D.C. Circuit has 11 judges and is the cuit bringing the total to 11, Presi- [email protected] most powerful and prestigious of dent Obama has had one nominee State the appeals courts. Currently there confirmed. The case load for this
are only 8 judges on this board. court under President Bush was Convention the D.C. Circuit has a lot of po- 1,313 pending, and currently there August litical importance because it often are 1,479 pending. (812) 923-1111 rules on White House and federal Judge Pratt, District Judge for the 20-22, 2014 agency policy, and cases having to United States District Court for the December 2013 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 3
The President's View . . . Elections Have Consequences and councils that control things Labor Councils on the local level members to offices across Iowa. locally? If we had more public and the Iowa Federation of Labor Once the election is over, the WIN union members on boards who for state wide and federal races. committees’ work is not done. We know how the city works or con- We must have a 2/3 majority vote need to hold elected officials ac- struction workers on councils who to endorse a candidate and we be- countable to our issues and keep knew what was involved in public lieve we need to know where they them supporting working fami-
IFL President Ken Sagar from the school board elections in September to the most recent special election on November 19, WIN we have had a lot of elections this fall. Local elections matter. Many of the issues that impact you the most happen close to home, in Working Iowa Neighbors the schools, city or county offices. Ironically, those are the elections that most people tend to ignore. infrastructure, we certainly could stand on supporting working fam- lies. We need to maintain and im- We need to change our culture on make more informed public policy ily issues so we use a question- prove relationships and work to- local elections. decisions. naire to determine that support. wards the next election. only 4-16% of registered vot- Sometimes the process is daunt- the Working Iowa Neighbors We need you and other mem- ers bother to participate in the lo- ing to those who are unfamiliar (WIN) program is active across bers of your local or your family cal elections, so we have a unique with it but politics is pretty simple. Iowa with more committees being to take a few hours to be involved opportunity to make a fundamen- Register your membership, educate developed. We bring everyone to- in a political program in your area. tal shift in the makeup of school them on issues, and get them to the gether to look for local candidates, We need more activists as well as boards, city and county positions. polls. We believe that our member- educate them on our issues, build more union members. If you have In many cases, we have more ship is every bit as bright as anyone relationships, and recommend a concern for the next generation, members and household mem- else. That being said, why don’t we endorsements to the appropriate take the time to invest in them, bers in these districts than vote in have more members in office? labor council for endorsement. take time to build a secure future these elections. What if we elected the AFL-CIO has an endorse- Once the proper endorsement is in for them and insure our freedom our own members to the boards ment process governing Central place, we need to work to elect our from corporate control. The Secretary-Treasurer's Notes . . . Expect A Short Session In 2014 and Republicans will continue to ways. The Governor has said that all, the dysfunction at other levels control the Iowa House. We also an increase in the gas tax, or per- of government show that anything must remember that the Governor- haps an alternate form of funding can happen on the way to passing ship is being held by Terry Brans- could finally be put towards fixing a budget, the final step before ad- tad as well. What this means is that our roads and bridges. While the journment. we will likely be able to stop anti- best and most traditional option there are plenty of other issues worker legislation introduced in the Iowa House, but conversely is- sues such as an increase to the min- IFL Secretary-Treasurer imum wage, attempts to stop abuse Charlie Wishman of temp and contract workers, or passing legislation to promote jobs typically in election years, there bills of different kinds will likely is a rush to finish the legislative fail. session quickly so that legislators last year the legislature ap- can start campaigning against their proved the largest tax cut in the challengers. This year appears to state’s history in the form of prop- be no exception. The legislative ses- erty tax cuts that mainly benefit sion will start in January, and while large businesses. This has left lo- the session is officially supposed to cal governments to try and plan a end on April 22, legislative lead- way to make up for the shortfall ers have already moved up dead- in revenue. Unfortunately this lines for bills to be passed out of could mean that cities and counties committee. While Speaker Paulsen are wanting to shift the burden to won’t predict when adjournment workers’ pension programs. That will happen, he has said that it may dynamic, combined with the na- well fall before the April 22 dead- tionwide attack on pensions means line. that there is a distinct possibility Despite there being two special that the retirement systems for po- for funding these improvements is that may come up this year in the elections this year due to resigna- lice and firefighters, as well other through the gas tax, the Governor legislature. Please be sure to sign tions in the House and Senate, the pension systems may come under finally signaling that this is an im- up for our action alerts on our web- control of both chambers will re- attack. portant issue for him is significant. site iowaaflcio.org as well as fol- main the same as they have several iowa still badly needs to im- Now it is entirely possible that low us on Facebook and other so- years now. Democrats will con- prove our roads and infrastructure the legislature will go longer this cial media to know the latest news tinue to control the Iowa Senate, – our bridges, buildings, and high- year than anyone anticipates. After from the Iowa Statehouse. Page 4 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS December 2013 Iowa Caucus 2014 Democratic Party Step 1 - Democratic party members will meet in one of the 1,688 Step 5 - The results of the percentages received and the number precincts in Iowa, which are designated schools, public buildings, of caucus delegates for all of the meetings held that night are re- and private homes to elect caucus delegates. To determine meet- ported to party headquarters. From there, the figures are tabu- ing locations, individuals may contact their County Party Chair or lated to determine in rank order the candidates with the most cau- State Party Headquarters. cus delegates. This concludes the Democratic participation in the ● Contact County Party Chairs. caucuses. www.iowademocrats.org/about/countychairs Next, the Democratic party will begin the process of selecting ● Contact State Party Headquarters. the 56 delegates that will represent the state of Iowa. www.iowademocrats.org Step 6 - After the caucuses in each county, a County Conven- Step 2 - At the individual Democratic caucus meetings, individ- tion will be held to select the delegates for the District Convention. uals will gather in separate groups according to which candidate Again, at this level, they will use the 15% rule, which stipulates they are supporting. Those who are undecided will be asked to 15% of the delegates are needed in order to consider a candidate join one of the groups already formed. viable. Step 3 - These caucus meetings will determine the popularity Step 7 - After the County Convention, a District Convention of each candidate and will decide which candidates are to be re- will be held in which all of the counties in that district will select tained and which are to be eliminated. Only candidates receiving the delegates, of which there are 29 total for the state. Again, the 15% support from the individuals in the meeting will be eligible 15% rule to determine viable candidates will be followed. for the candidacy. Individuals supporting a candidate who re- Step 8 - The State of Iowa Democratic Convention will convene ceived less than 15% support will be asked to join one of the other to select the delegates who will represent the candidates in the groups. National Convention, again using the 15% rule of support. The Step 4 - This procedure of determining the percentage of sup- State Convention, at this time, will prepare a total of 56 delegates port for each candidate may take some discussion until the proc- for the National Convention, at which the official Presidential ess of elimination leaves a handful of candidates with no less than Candidate for the Democratic party will be decided. 15% support. This number will be broken down based upon the number of delegates that this particular caucus is representing. additional Democratic Resources: For instance, if a caucus is heavily populated, there may be 4 or ● the Green Papers - Democrats more delegates to be elected, and so a group would need 15% of http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/IA-D.phtml the participants in that caucus in order to qualify; If a caucus is ● MSNBC electing only 2 delegates, a group would need 25% to qualify; and http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3926132 if a caucus is electing only 1 delegate, a group would need 50% of ● Answers.com - Iowa Caucus - Democrats the participants to qualify. http://www.answers.com/topic/iowa-caucus
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Support American Jobs December 2013 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 5 Iowa Caucus 2014 Republican Party Step 1 - Republican party members will meet in one of the 1,688 resent the candidates in the National Convention, at which the precincts in Iowa, which are designated schools, public buildings, official Presidential Candidate for the Republican party will be and private homes to elect caucus delegates. To determine meet- decided. ing locations, individuals may contact their County Party Chair or State Party Headquarters. additional Republican Resources: ● Contact County Party Chairs. ● the Green Papers - Republicans Www.iowagop.org/county-leadership/ http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/IA-R.phtml ● Contact State Party Headquarters. ● HotlineBlog Www.iowagop.org http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com Step 2 - At the individual Republican caucus meetings, a straw ● Answers.com - Iowa Caucus - Republicans poll is taken by secret ballot to influence the delegate. http://www.answers.com/topic/iowa-caucus Step 3 - One person = one vote. The straw poll is an informal type of voting where the local votes are tabulated to gauge opin- ion. Step 4 - The tabulated votes from the local precinct straw polls are sent to the state party headquarters to announce the winner of 2014 Caucus Dates the straw poll popular vote, and hopefully influence the selection of delegates. This concludes the Republican participation in the ● Precinct Caucuses: January 21 caucuses. Next, the Republican party will begin the process of selecting ● County Conventions: March 8 the 41 delegates that will represent the state of Iowa. Step 5 - After the caucuses in each county, a County Conven- tion will be held to select the delegates for the District Convention, ● District Conventions: April 26 using the influence of the straw poll as a guide. Step 6 - After the County Convention, a District Convention ● Democratic Party State Convention: will be held in which all of the counties in that political district June 12 will decide on just 3 delegates to represent each district. There are 6 districts in Iowa for a total of 18 delegates. ● Republican Party State Convention: Step 7 - The State of Iowa Republican Convention will decide upon a total of 23 more delegates, along with the 3 additional del- June 14 egates per district, for a sum total of 41 delegates who will rep-
This Holiday - look for Resolution Suggestions: the Union Label Minimum Wage: Raise the minimum wage to a living wage, and index it to keep pace with inflation and buy American and cost of living. Made Products Save the USPS: Support 6 day delivery and stop the privatization of the USPS, oppose the closing of rural post offices and/or any reduction in delivery standards. Card Check Elections: Accept a majority of card check, for union elections as a final vote.E liminate the election after card checks. , Buy American Vote by Mail: Support the establishment of voting Union Made items by U.S. mail where every eligible resident receives a ballot in the mail. for Christmas Overturn Citizens United: The rights protected in the U.S. Constitution are the rights of natural persons and not for corporations, companies and businesses. Support Bring Jobs Home: Stop incentives for offshoring, www.pinterest.com/iowafed/ reorient our economic policies to make the economy American work for working people and reform our dangerously Jobs www.Labor411.org lopsided tax policies. Social Security: Oppose cuts to Social Security www.unionlabel.org Benefits, oppose raising the retirement age, and any attempt to privatize Social Security. www.aflcio.org/get-involved/The-Union-shop Page 6 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS December 2013 Open Discussion In West Burlington About The Future Of The GE Plant By Tracy Leone, WIN Organizer Mark Jondal, who works at the icy Project said that there is one However, Kentucky is a free bar- three years ago, General Elec- plant and was one of the workers investment that has been proven gaining state, and it is adding jobs, tric threatened to close its West who took cuts to wages and ben- to be effective at improving the “Reality is we have to compete glo- Burlington manufacturing plant if efits that amounted to as much as economy: Education. However, the bally, but Kentucky is not a right workers didn’t agree to nearly $8 a 30% decrease, noted that many state has been able in recent years to work state and it is adding jobs. million in cuts to wages and ben- of the additional jobs were not in to claim that revenue is down and Iowa can do the same.” efits. ge also negotiated with the manufacturing positions but in consequently had to lower the al- carrie Duncan, a member of the City of West Burlington, the State management. “It is time for GE to lowable growth rate for school community who works at the lo- of Iowa, and Des Moines County stop taking and start re-investing funding. But, he added, “When cal munitions plant expressed her to keep the plant open for at least concerns about corporate welfare five years employing a minimum demanded by GE and other com- of 190 workers in good paying jobs panies that pay a tax rate less than in exchange for an additional $2.4 the average family. “I am proud million in tax incentives. of the work I do. There have been in the intervening three years, many nights when I went into there has been no public report work and thought about what an on the company’s progress. So on important job I have. While the October 23, 2013, workers, elected rest of the world is sleeping I was officials, and community members working to keep the US safe.” She gathered to talk about the fate of the added that while workers are be- plant and corporate accountability ing held accountable to pay taxes for the tax breaks GE demands. The to fund our government and keep event was co-sponsored by Iowa the country safe, “companies like Citizens for Community Improvement GE are more concerned about Action Fund, Iowa Federation of La- avoiding taxes than keeping good bor, Iowa Policy Project, Center for jobs in the US.” Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, Des one of the last speakers of Moines/Henry County Labor Council, the night was Jeff Kurtz with the Iowa State Council—Communications Brotherhood of Locomotive En- Workers of America, and Iowa Citizen gineers and Trainmen. He re- Action Network. minded everyone that it is not ge has been one of the largest just decent wages that are a con- and most profitable corporations cern when discussing economic in U.S. history and remains so. GE development and the need to re- just announced that its net income tain jobs in the United States. He for the third quarter of 2013 was told a story about a train accident $3.5 billion. Over four of the past 11 that occurred last year. Though years, GE reported more than $22 the crash was initially caused by billion in U.S. profits. Yet despite Jerry Carney, UE Member and worker from a Kentucky GE Plant. (Photo worker fatigue, the train, which these profits, it paid no federal in- by Tracy Leone) was made in Mexico, had a safe- come taxes and received $4.8 billion ty mechanism failure and the 22- in tax rebates. While not paying its in our community.” He added that, times are good they say let’s give mile an hour crash resulted in that fair share of federal income taxes, in fact, management positions have tax cuts, and when the economy worker’s death. Though GE didn’t GE also pocketed $21.8 billion in received pay increases since 2010 goes south again they say we gotta manufacture that particular train, taxpayer-funded contracts from while the rank and file workers cut again. This formula is not work- they do make many of the trains the U.S. government between 2006 were taking cuts. ing.” he and his coworkers drive, and and 2012. However, these profits trousil commented that going But it’s hard to change the way he is concerned that as more of the and contracts have not resulted in forward, “it’s harder to maintain the state practices economic devel- manufacturing is done by non-un- growth of US jobs. Over the past what we have been able to provide opment because they are negoti- ion plants, and many of the parts ten years, GE cut its US workforce to GE and still maintain our city ated behind closed doors. “These are imported from overseas, safety by 15,000 while adding 30,000 jobs services.” decisions about economic develop- and quality could be jeopardized. overseas. one of the overarching themes ment policy have to be public and the coalition intends to contin- altogether more than 60 people of the night was accountability transparent.” ue to ask GE to keep their prom- gathered at the Memorial Audito- from corporations who demand Senator Courtney added, “The ise and make a commitment to rium in Burlington to discuss these tax credits and other concessions economic policies do not change keep their West Burlington plant facts and ask these key questions: to keep their plants open. Cherie until you change the Governor.” open. Ryan Drew, President of the Has GE successfully used the mil- Montice from Iowa Citizens for another speaker was Jerry Car- Des Moines Henry County Labor lions they received to put the plant Community Improvement, one ney, a worker from a Kentucky GE Council is working with the ad on a competitive footing? Is GE’s of the forum’s sponsors, added, Plant, who talked about a similar hoc coalition on a follow up let- plan to continue to invest in the “Where did the money go? Did situation they faced in 2008. Carney ter to GE listing some of the big plant and remain in West Burling- they upgrade the plant? You have said, “We work for one of the great- questions that came up at the fo- ton indefinitely, or isGE just intend- the right to ask these kinds of ques- est of companies but also one of the rum such as, how has GE invested ing to “take the money and run”? tions and get straight answers.” dirtiest.” When the housing market the money they saved from wages one of the panel speakers, West David Osterberg from Iowa Pol- crashed in 2008, so did the refrig- and taxes to make the plant more Burlington Mayor Hans Trousil, icy Project criticized these types of eration market. Their plant went efficient? How much was spent who negotiated the deal to save the economic incentives, “Corporate from 2000 to 200 employees. After between October 2010 and Octo- jobs in his town, explained it this tax credits are excessive and they’re negotiating, the workers agreed ber 2013 on salary increases and way, “Our contract requires GE unaccountable.” One of the main to a pay freeze and management bonuses for non-production em- have 190 employees through 2016. reasons he explained for continued agreed to reinvest a billion dollars ployees? And finally, what new They are at 242 right now, so there economic policies that grant these into the plant and bring manufac- product lines will be brought to has been an increase. But of course types of credits is because, “corpo- turing lines back from China and the plant in the next two years to it was the employees who took the rate lobbyists have a huge presence Mexico. ensure its competitiveness and brunt of concessions. I was fortu- in our capitol. If the state would carney also criticized Iowa’s worker jobs? If you have any ques- nate to come out of UAW with a close just one corporate tax loop- Right to Work law saying that tions or concerns, or want to learn good pension, and I think the con- hole it would have an additional 60 states like Iowa depress workers’ more about this or other issues, cessions the GE workers had to million each year.” rights using the excuse that they please contact the Iowa Federation take were very wrong.” Mike Owen also from Iowa Pol- need to do this to stay competitive. of Labor, 515-262-9571. December 2013 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 7 TPP – NAFTA On Steroids By Lance Coles, bringing us back into a recession. closed captioning onto protected It would bring longer monopo- Communications Director foreign investors can skirt do- DVD’s. It would impact lending ly control on drugs by big PhaRMA “It’s a steamroller that will be mestic courts and laws and sue services at public libraries. and cause higher prices for consum- more crushing to American jobs governments directly before tribu- It would be a Bankster’s de- ers, and it would cut off millions and the middle class than the wave nals of three private sector lawyers light, because TPP would roll back in developing countries from life- of outsourcing unleashed by the operating under World Bank and reregulation of Wall Street which saving medicines. This would also North American Free Trade Agree- mean extra cost to patients and a ment (NAFTA) in the 1990’s,” Isaiah bigger burden on health budgets. Poole said about the Trans-Pacific foreign firms would gain: rights Partnership (TPP). to acquire land, natural resources, the TPP discussions are going on factories without government re- now and have been since late 2009, view. Special treatment for relocat- and this little talked about secret ing. Compensation for loss of :ex- pact will have little to do with free pected future profits from health, trade, “It can be more accurately labor and environmental laws. They be described as a pact designed to would have the right to move capi- increase the wealth and power of tal without limits. They will have corny capitalists.” said Dean Baker, new rights over vast definitions of Co-Director for Economic and Poli- investment, intellectual property, cy Research. permits derivatives, ban perform- the apparent intent of the pact is ance requirements and domestic use international trade agreements content rules. to create regulations that will be the AFL-CIO and many other more favorable to corporations. “In- organizations are saying “flush the deed, the Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP” and develop “fair trade” pacts could end up empowering multi- that would benefit workers and national corporations to bypass, consumers around the globe, not among other things, individual United Nation rules. History shows would prohibit bans on risky finan- just corporations, said Poole. countries’ efforts to protect the en- that just by threatening to use such cial services and undermine “too the TPP is the answer to the vironment, stop price-gouging on a tribunal, a company can achieve big to fail” regulations. question: “how can we make the life-saving medicines, and maintain a “chilling effect” on a government It would offer incentives for off rich richer?” equal access to anyone who want to that wants to design or enact new shoring jobs and would take away it is imperative that everyone post content or do commerce on the regulations and policies. elected officials’ obligation to Buy contact their elected representatives internet.” said Poole, “Meanwhile Baker said, The TPP will create American or Buy Local. and ask them to stop TPP. the deal would not do anything to rules that will favor big business arrest the corporate race to the bot- at the expense of the population of tom that is undermining American both the United States and in other wages.” countries. the TPP would backdoor dereg- Some examples of what TPP Iowa Federation ulation for financial firms wrecking could do are: of Labor Legislative Conference February 10-11 at Prairie Meadows Call (515) 957-3000 Group Code: 02092014AFL for rooms More info at the economy. Floods of unsafe foods It would require the U.S. to im- www.iowaaflcio.org and products would be allowed in port food that does not meet U.S. or call the country. A ban on Buy America safety standards (modified foods) policies, and foreign corporations and limit food labeling. (800) 325-9015 will be empowered to attack our en- It would require internet serv- vironment and health policies in a ice providers to “police” user-activ- foreign tribunal. ity and treat individual violators as the agreement is not only intend- large-scale for-profit violators, and ed to open the markets of goods and people could be banned from all services between the twelve part- internet use. It could make down- ners, but it will establish horizontal loading music a crime where your guidelines to dictate how regulation computer could be seized. Stream- is put in place and what regulation ing services, like Pandora, would is unnecessary, said Yorgos Altintz- get much more expensive. The TPP is. This would open the door for big could prevent blind from listening capital to get around regulations to eBooks, and deaf from inserting Page 8 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS December 2013 Dark Money Casts Its Shadow Across Iowa By Tracy Leone, WIN Organizer as the national parties. And I think and Al Jazeera. And Iowa wasn’t the pass with the current Republican- americans usually associate that’s been incredibly unhealthy.” only example. Dark money groups controlled House’s opposition to large cash flows with lots of bling. But after Citizen’s United passed in were also involved in ballot initia- such proposals since 2010, there is But when it is political money mas- 2010, he and former Bush operative tives in Gahann, Ohio (pop. 33,000), another option. The Securities and querading as grassroots politics, Karl Rove founded Crossroads GPS and Fremont, Nebraska (pol 26,000) Exchange Commission can imple- the result is much more obscure . . . and American Crossroad, which hence the term Dark Money. together spent $325 million in the americans for Prosperity is at the 2012 cycle. leading edge of dark money spend- Because the public generally dis- ing. Funded by billionaire libertar- agrees with large corporations and ian brothers David and Charles rich individuals essentially buy- Koch, AFP spent more than $33.5 ing elections, more and more often million against Obama’s re-election these groups are having to take bid and $122 million in all races in stealth measures to hide behind a 2012. This was five times what they complex funding web, and more spent in 2010 – before the SCOTUS and more often these groups are Citizens United decision opened getting involved in state and local the flood gates to unlimited and un- political races. accountable political spending from Disguised under names like Prior- outside groups. ities for Iowa, Citizens for Responsi- former Republican National ble Growth and Taxation, American Committee Chair Ed Gillespie used Energy Alliance, American Future to be critical of the undue influ- Fund, and Iowans for Freedom, ence of outside groups on political these groups set up as 501 (c)(4) and competitions traditionally fought do not have to disclose who funds between the two parties saying in them. Then they pose as if they were 2007 that the groups, “run wild, un- local, concerned citizens. fettered, unregulated, not subject in 2012 election, 1/3 of all mon- to the same rules and regulations ey spent in Iowa was dark money, to block tax increases. AFP has also ment a rule change to require public and most of these came from out of been involved in statehouse races in companies to disclose all significant state. According to People for the Arkansas and Kansas, judicial con- political spending so shareholders American way, “groups federally tests in Florida and North Carolina, can hold their companies account- registered outside of Iowa account- and a mayoral election in Lakeville, able. A petition being circulated has Get A ed for 96.21% of all outside spend- Minnesota. already been met with overwhelm- ing.” Most of that funding went into this involvement in local races is ing support. Please sign on to ask the attack ads against Congressman especially disconcerting given that Securities and Exchange Commis- CLUW Bruce Braley and the retention elec- local elections have not had to deal sion to require more sunlight around tion of Justice Wiggins. with the enormous campaign fun- corporate political spending by vis- the Coalition of Labor recently, however, dark money draising now required in national iting Public Citizen’s website to- Union Women and the Iowa groups are expanding their influ- elections. Beware what these Dark day: http://action.citizen.org/p/dia/ Federation of Labor are look- ence beyond national and statewide Money groups will do in 2014. action/public/?action KEY=9213. ing for a few good women elections and are getting involved lastly, when your friends, fam- (and men ). in statehouse and municipal races. TAKE ACTION ily or union brothers and sisters for- In October, Americans for Pros- Please sign any of the various pe- ward a Facebook post from Priorities perity spent large sums of money titions supporting the Disclose Act for Iowa, ask them these questions: trying to influence the outcome of and initiatives to pass a Constitu- 1. Where is the organization’s the Coralville election. The news tional Amendment overturning Cit- money coming from? of AFP getting involved in an elec- izens United (go to Commoncause. 2. If these organizations have tion in an Iowan town of fewer than org to learn more). Iowans’ interests at heart as they 20,000 people was so shocking, it though campaign finance reform claim, why won’t they disclose their was covered by the New York Times legislation is nearly impossible to donors?
clUW – Coalition of Labor Center For Worker Justice Grows Union Women was formed in continued from page 1 meet with Congressional leaders. portance of partnering with work- 1974 as a national organiza- Sudanese-American Community ● Mobilized over 200 people to ers’ centers, civil rights, and commu- tion for union women. Association. attend meetings and vigils to de- nity groups whose members may clUW is designed to unify Members of CWJ have identified mand immigration reform. not yet have unions, but who share all union women in a union three current priority issues for the ● organized a neighborhood as- labor’s values of dignity and equal- organization to promote af- organization: education and action sociation to defend affordable hous- ity for all workers. Iowa unions are firmative action, strengthen in defense of workers’ rights, pro- ing. already acting on this principle, as the role of women in unions, tecting and promoting affordable ● Sent eight leaders to a 1-week evidenced by the numerous forms organize and increase women housing, and organizing for civil national organizer training with In- of support they have provided to involvement. rights and immigration reform. In its terfaith Worker Justice, which coor- help establish and strengthen the the organization is made first year, CWJ has already chalked dinates a national network that in- Center for Worker Justice of East- up of members from 54 inter- up an impressive string of victories cludes dozens of workers’ centers ern Iowa. This alliance will soon be national and national unions in each of these areas, such as: ● Sent three leaders to attend an formalized – the AFL-CIO has indi- in the U.S. and Canada made Worked with local factory and OSHA train-the-trainer program in cated that it plans to award CWJ a up of a network of 40 chap- service workers to recover nearly Wisconsin certificate of affiliation next month, ters. CLUW is endorsed by $5000 in wages they were legally ● Partnered with the University through the National Worker Cen- the AFL-CIO. owed. of Iowa Labor Center to conduct a ter/AFL-CIO Partnership. CWJ is the Iowa Federation of ● educated over 150 low-wage monthly “Know Your Rights” series proud to join with Iowa unions in Labor AFL-CIO is trying to workers about their rights at work, on topics such as: wage payment the struggle for dignity, justice, and establish a CLUW chapter in through home visits, worker justice rights, health and safety at work, a voice for all workers. Iowa. If you are interested or meetings, and community workshops. civil rights of immigrants, rights of Robin Clark-Bennett works at the know someone who is, please ● Sent a leader to Washington tenants, and the impact of the Af- University of Iowa Labor Center, and contact us at 515-262-9571 or D.C to testify before the Senate Judi- fordable Care Act. is a member of the Board of Directors [email protected]. ciary Committee in support of com- on a national level, the labor of the Center for Worker Justice of prehensive immigration reform, and movement has recognized the im- Eastern Iowa.