The WorkingClassWill Save Us, Again AFL-CIO News equipment protective proper ing hav- not despite work, “essential” perform and homes their leave to continued workers many that saw we nation, this hit first crisis ID-19 COV- the when year, this Earlier safe. are neighborhoods and streets that our ensuring and possible, as ly quick- as power restoring damage, up cleaning are that sector, private and public workers, class working is it Iowa, through blew just that storms devastating the With run. to continue communities our sure making are who alwaysworkers is it state, our and nation our hit has member. With crisis after crisis that re- can I year any this than more year, through been have workers of what thinking when on reflect The President's View . . . The President's View. NON-PROFIT ORG. This LaborDay,we have alotto I Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO U.S. POSTAGE Volume 20,Issue2 2000 Walker St., Suite A PAID

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T H . as en h wrig ls, not class, working the been ways al- it’s endured, has America that things the all Through has. ways al- it as again, it, save will nation this of class working The end. will In Solidarity. for everyone goingforward. conditions working better create to vow and running, economy tion’s year in the name of keeping our na- this us haveleft that those member re- us savedLet has us. that 1% the ...... IFL 2020Election IFL 2020Election Endorsements September 2020 September Pages 4-5 Page 2 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS September 2020 Election Day is Coming By Julianne Frosolone, sa Greenfield. Theresa is here be- tinue to have our backs. Rita Hart make at least 1 full pass through IFL Political Director cause unions had her back when is running to replace Representa- our universe of targeted voters. We We say this every year, but 2020 her late husband, Rod, an IBEW tive Loebsack in Iowa’s 2nd Con- need over 1400 volunteer shifts be- truly might be the most important lineman died on the job. Social se- gressional District. She’s running tween now and Election Day to get election of our lifetime. curity and union benefits got her against Marianette Miller Meeks through our program, so I hope you Leading our ticket here in Iowa through that difficult time, and who has consistently sided against will join us in member-to-member is Vice President Biden. The Vice Theresa has never forgotten that. workers during her time in the phone banking and texting. We are President has stood with workers She couldn’t be more different State Senate. We have JD Scholten also asking each local to send out his entire life. This fight is person- from , who throughout running against Randy Feenstra in three pieces of local union mail to al for him. As AFL-CIO President her career in the Iowa Legislature Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. members. We know this is an in- Richard Trumka said in the AFL- and the United States Senate, has Like Mariannette Miller Meeks, credibly effective way to get our CIO’s endorsement of Vice Presi- consistently backed anti-worker Randy Feenstra has a history of message out. We can help write dent Biden, “Our members know legislation. Ernst recently voted being anti-worker during his time these letters, and you can use our Joe has done everything he could against paid sick leave for Iowa in the State Senate. Scholten has bulk mail permit if it’s helpful. to create a fairer process for form- workers during COVID-19. And, always stood with workers. Election Day will be here before ing and joining a union, and he is she was caught knowingly ac- And at the state level, we must we know it. Early Voting starts on ready to fight with us to restore cepting illegal contributions from break the Republican trifecta at October 5th, October 24th is the last faith in America and improve the corporations and had to pay the the Capitol. House Democrats day to request a ballot, and No- lives of all working people.” largest penalty ever for an Iowa give us a tremendous opportunity vember 2nd is the Absentee Ballot Our labor-endorsed candidate politician. Polls are showing this to do that as they are now just 4 Postmark Deadline. From October for United States Senate is There- race as a toss up. That means ev- seats away from taking back the 31st through Election day, Novem- erything we do between now and majority. And the Senate Demo- ber 3rd, we will “Get Out the Vote” IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH election day has the potential to crats have a great opportunity to to make sure all our members ei-

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F A O F IO S R L-C N ALL IOWA NEWS I WA Greenfield as our next United candidates in winnable districts, your fellow union members to re- New inside masthead States Senator. many with union backgrounds. quest absentee ballots and return The Iowa AFL-CIO News is the We also have great labor-en- As you can see, we have great their ballots early. official IN UNIT Y publicationTHERE IS STRE NGofT Hthe dorsed congressional candidates opportunities to elect pro-worker If we do this right, Joe Biden will ING TOGE RK TH O E W TIO R RA N E O D F E L F A

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  nauer in Iowa’s 1st Congressional VID-19, like the rest of the political ed States. Theresa Greenfield will A 2000 Walker St., Suite A F O F IO S R L-C N ALL IOWA NEWS IVolume 20, Issue 2 WAOfficial Publication of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO September 2020 District. Abby is the daughter of a world, we will be relying heav- be our next United States Senator, New masthead 9-20 Des Moines, Iowa 50317 proud UA member. She was one ily on mail, digital, and phones helping Democrats retake the ma- and is published quarterly. of our biggest champions during to communicate our message to jority. Representatives Finkenauer (515) 262-9571 her time in the Iowa House and our members. We are excited to and Axne will return to Congress, during her first term in congress. be working with a local mail and and Hart and Scholten will join iowaaflcio.org She’s running against State Rep- digital firm to put together a plan them. We will take back the Iowa resentative . Rep- for our statewide targeted legisla- House, and gain seats in the Iowa resentative Cindy Axne faces a tive candidates. A big thank you to Senate. We will put Iowa and our rematch against David Young in all of our generous affiliates who nation back on the right track for Officers Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. chipped in. working people. Cindy has consistently stood with If we are going to be successful To sign up to help with Labor & Staff workers time and time again and in both voter persuasion toward 2020, email Julianne Frosolone at we need her in Congress to con- and voter turnout, we need to [email protected]

President CHARLIE WISHMAN [email protected] Thank You for All Your Help By Rick Moyle, So many unions and their mem- on their own. The Reconnect pro- Secretary/Treasurer Executive Director, Hawkeye Area bers from all over did what unions gram was started by Alliant energy PETER HIRD Labor Council AFL-CIO do in a time of crisis. They stood with a $60,000 donation and United [email protected] On August 10th a Derecho together and helped these dam- Way of East Central Iowa added an with 100-140 MPH winds ripped aged communities in any way they additional $40,000 from their disas- through Iowa leaving thousands could. United Way of East Central ter relief fund. Political Director without power, phones, internet Iowa Community Service Liaison There are far too many union sis- JULIANNE FROSOLONE julianne@iowaaflcio,org and some left without homes. Some Jay Larson worked with IBEW 405 ters and brothers to thank, so we of the hardest hit towns in Linn and in Cedar Rapids and local union will simply say THANK YOU ALL. Benton County were Cedar Rapids, contractors to pay for all the materi- Not only for what you do in times of Communications Director Palo, and Shellsburg. als and cut the labor rate 25% to the crisis but for what you do each and LANCE COLES The aftermath left from this Reconnect program to restore pow- every day to make this world a bet- [email protected] storm cannot truly be described and er to homes of those in our commu- ter place. pictures cannot come close to seeing nity who cannot afford this service In Solidarity. it in person. People in these commu- Organizing Director nities and people from all over the BEN MURRY state immediately stepped up and Check Out Our Podcasts [email protected] started efforts to help those in need. Teamster Local 238 in Cedar Rap- Bookkeeper ids opened up for supply donations JAMIE MILLER as soon as they had power back on [email protected] in their hall. Hawkeye Area Labor Council, CREA and many other unions in the area have assisted in the Teamster effort. Hawkeye Area Labor Council AFL-CIO, Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, Teamsters 238, and Com- munity Service Liaisons throughout the state worked with the National (812) 923-1111 AFL-CIO to secure funding and supplies. September 2020 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 3

The Secretary-Treasurer's Notes . . . State Elections Matter family medical leave, livable wages, contractors including those that are trolled legislature set an enforceable a realistic amount for unemploy- under a lease-purchase agreement OSHA pandemic standard that pro- ment insurance pay, the right to or- and leaves openings for potential tects workers. I would like to be talk- ganize a union, and more enforce- worker misclassification. This ex- ing about the expansion of unem- able OSHA standards are just a few. cludes the employer from having ployment for workers and that our None of these were addressed by the responsibility to pay normal em- state has a leave policy that doesn’t the Iowa legislature in 2020. ployer expenses such as employer force workers to go to work sick be- This year’s legislative session liability insurance, workers com- cause they can’t afford to stay home paused after the initial outbreak in pensation and minimum wage. Jeff and care for themselves or their fam- March and returned to finish in June. Kurtz, a Democrat from southeast ily. I would like to talk about a Med- Two months into the pandemic and Iowa, offered an amendment to pro- icaid system in Iowa that doesn’t put the current Republican controlled tect truck drivers from being pres- the profits of wealthy healthcare in- legislature passed one of the most sured or coerced by their employer surers over the people who live here. blanket liability bills we have ever to enter into being an independent Our current political leadership IFL Secretary Treasurer seen. The bill relieves COVID-19 contractor but it was voted down. in Iowa is not about taking care of Peter Hird related liability from property own- The annual state school fund- working class families. Fortunately It is simple for a legislator to say ers/lessors, healthcare providers ing increased 2.3% for 2021 but it we can change that. We can vote for they will do what’s best for work- and anyone that manufactures, la- is short of providing the funding Iowa Federation of Labor endorsed ing families. Supporting education, bels, sells, distributes products in re- needed to properly address school candidates. They value the Iowans creating jobs and protecting peo- sponse to COVID-19. The threshold needs during a normal year. In fact, who build our buildings, take care ple’s healthcare are big issues for of making a claim of exposure is dif- since 2011 the average increase has of our sick, prepare our food and the working class. You hear many ficult to establish. The bill does allow been 1.7%. Funding at the levels educate our children. Our candi- candidates talk about those issues. for potential work injuries related to like this do not allow schools to dates support union bargaining We believe that folks need more COVID-19 but as of now, no case has develop new programs, pay their rights for all workers, livable wages, from a legislator than just talk, we been ruled on yet. Some states have employees properly or reduce class and OSHA workplace protections. If need them to vote for bills that ac- set some standards for protecting sizes. Thankfully the CARES Act we have learned anything from this tually help. This year has been one workers and Iowa did no such thing. provided funding for COVID-19 pandemic it’s that all workers are crisis after another and 2020 will be We are always keeping a close eye preparation for our schools. If the essential to our economy and our remembered by Iowans for many on laws that may force workers out federal government hadn’t stepped everyday lives. It’s going to take all years. The COVID-19 pandemic has of being an employee and into being up, who knows what Iowa schools of us to make it happen so volunteer been a wake up call for many of the an independent contractor. SF2296 is would look like. for a phone bank, sign up to be a poll issues unions have been fighting a a bill aimed at truckers and defines I would like to tell you that Iowa’s worker if you feel it’s safe, vote by long time for. Paid sick leave, paid owner-operators as independent governor and the Republican con- mail and vote early. It’s Time for Real Leadership By Bill Gerhard, President Iowa House and the Governor’s Trump again or are unsure if you groups and check them out. Iowa State Building and office, that in 2018 completely gut- like the direction our Country is It is time for real leadership in Construction Trades Council, ted Iowa’s Public Sector Bargain- headed, then please google these our country. Member of Laborers’ Local 43, ing Laws in an attempt to wipe Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, out Unions in Iowa. The Republi- 319-621-0894 can party also has refused to raise I am a firm believer in our two Iowa’s Minimum Wage (which is party political system here in the still for the past decade, $7.25 per United States. We need both the hour) and passed Legislation that Democratic and Republican par- lowered the Minimum Wage in the ties and we need them to be strong. handful of Counties that had raised Because it is through the tension it to $10. per hour or more. between the parties and the dis- I know many of our members cussions and debates, that issues consider themselves to be Repub- get aired, compromises made and licans and I respect that. I don’t good laws are passed. think it is the same Republican I grew up in a small farm- party they signed up for. One of ing community in Western Iowa, our local Republican State Rep- where almost everyone was a re- resentatives from Jones County, publican, including my father. It Andy Mckean, thought that the Re- was a different Republican party publican party had left him. Andy then. The Republican party at that was the longest serving Republican time fought for the working per- Legislator in the Iowa Legislature, son and their ability to join and being first elected in 1978! Andy belong to unions. Iowa’s Public left the Republican party because Sector Collective Bargaining law, it has become the party of Donald commonly called Chapter 20, was Trump and the Republican values passed by a Republican controlled of “compassionate conservatism” and a Republican and fiscal responsibility had gone controlled Iowa House and signed to the wayside. into law in 1974 by Republican Andy is not the only Republican Governor Robert Ray. The mini- that feels this way and has “buy- mum wage was raised many times er’s remorse” for voting for Don- in that era also. ald Trump in 2016 and the other Over the years the Republican Republicans on the ticket. There party has evolved into a complete- are so many fleeing the Republi- ly different party. It is now the par- can party, that they have formed ty of the wealthy, the Corporations several groups. Two of which are: and the Special Interests. It is the the Lincoln Project and Republi- Republican party of today, which can Voters Against Trump. If you controls both the Iowa Senate and are a little uneasy about voting for Page 4 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS September 2020 Iowa Federation of Labor 2020 Election Endorsements

Abby Finkenauer Rita Hart Theresa Greenfield US Congressional District 1 US Congressional District 2 US Senate GENERAL ELECTION IOWA STATE HOUSE IOWA STATE HOUSE US Senate: Theresa Greenfield HD 16: Jen Pellant HD 61: Timi Brown-Powers US CD 1: HD 17: Jan Creasman HD 62: Ras Smith UD CD 2: Rita Hart HD 19: Nick Miller HD 63: Carissa Froyum HD 20: Ryan Morrison HD 64: Jodi Grover US CD 3: Cindy Axne HD 22: Shawna Anderson HD 65: US CD 4: JD Scholten HD 25: Caleb Short HD 66: HD 26: HD 67: Eric Gjerde IOWA STATE SENATE HD 27: Cody Dilliner HD 68: Molly Donahue SD 6: CJ Petersen HD 29: HD 69: Kirsten Running-Marquardt SD 8: Steve Gorman HD 30: Lori Slings HD 70: SD 10: Warren Varley HD 31: Rick Olson HD 71: Sue Cahill SD 12: Joey Norris HD 32: HD 72: Christina Blackcloud SD 16: HD 33: HD 73: Lonny Pulkrabek SD 18: HD 34: Bruce Hunter HD 74: SD 20: Rhonda Martin HD 35: Ako Abdul-Samad HD 75: Ruby Bodeker SD 22: Sarah Garriott HD 36: HD 76: Sarah Smith SD 24: Cynthia Paschen HD 37: Andrea Phillips HD 77: HD 38: HD 78: Kimberly Davis SD 26: Deb Scharper HD 39: HD 81: SD 28: Matt Tapscott HD 40: John Forbes HD 82: Phil Miller SD 30: Eric Giddens HD 41: HD 83: Jeff Kurtz SD 32: Pam Egli HD 42: HD 84: Jeff Fager SD 34: HD 43: Jennifer Konfrst HD 85: Christina Bohannan SD 36: Dave Degner HD 44: Kenan Judge HD 86: SD 38: Ivy Schuster HD 45: Beth Wessel-Kroeschell HD 87: SD: 42 Rich Taylor HD 46: Ross Wilburn HD 88: Sandy Dockendorf SD: 44 Tom Courtney HD 47: Shelly Stotts HD 89: Monica Kurth SD: 46 Chris Brase HD 48: Jack Friend HD 90: SD: 48 Eric Green HD 49: Selden Spencer HD 91: Kelcey Brackett SD: 50 HD 50: Dennis Evans HD 92: Jennifer Kakert HD 51: Jane Podgorniak HD 93: IOWA STATE HOUSE HD 52: HD 94: Marie Gleason HD 4: Bjorn Johnson HD 53: Sharon Steckman HD 95: Christian Andrews HD 7: Deb Jensen HD 54: Karen Koenig HD 97: Ryan Zeskey HD 8: Glenn Kiss HD 55: Kayla Koether HD 98: HD 11: Sara Huddleston HD 56: Angela Reed HD 99: Lindsay James HD 13: Chris HD 58: Andy McKean HD 100: Chuck Isenhart HD 14: Steve Hansen HD 59: HD 15: Charlie McConkey HD 60: Dave Williams Go to: https://www.iowaaflcio.org/election-2020 for more election information September 2020 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 5 Iowa Federation of Labor 2020 Election Endorsements

Theresa Greenfield Cindy Axne J.D. Scholten US Senate US Congressional District 3 US Congressional District 4 CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS for LOCAL RACES North IA Nine Quad City Federation of Labor Steve Hepperly, Winnebago County Sheriff Roxanna Moritz, Scott County Auditor Hawkeye Area Labor Council Pete Bawden, Scott County Sheriff John Stuelke, Linn County Supervisor Jazmin Newton, Scott County Supervisor Brian Gardner, Linn County Sheriff Rogers Kirk Jr. , Scott County Supervisor Iowa City Federation of Laborl Channon Michael, Muscatine County Sheriff Brad Kunkel, Johnson County Sheriff Brandy Harfst, Muscatine County Auditor Rod Sullivan, Johnson County Supervisor William Tharp, Muscatine County Attorney Lisa Green-Douglas, Johnson County Supervisor Ed Askew, Muscatine County Supervisor Royceann Porter, Johnson County Supervisor Servadio Elias Michelle, Muscatine County Supervisor SW Iowa Labor Council Dubuque Federation of Labor Lisa Lima, Pottawattamie County Supervisor Dave Baker, Dubuque County Supervisor Fran Parr, Pottawattamie County Supervisor Joseph Kennedy, Dubuque County Sheriff NW Iowa Labor Council South Central Federation of Labor Marty Pottebaum, Woodbury County Supervisor Kevin Schneider, Polk County Sheriff Kevin McCormick, Woodbury County Supervisor Jamie Fitzgerald, Polk County Auditor Rocky DeWitt, Woodbury County Supervisor Nick Barton, Polk County Supervisor Chad Sheehan, Woodbury County Sheriff Betty Devine, Polk County Supervisor Black Hawk Labor Assembly David Miglin, Polk County Tony Thompson, Black Hawk County Sheriff Broadlawns Hospital Trustee Chris Schwartz, Black Hawk County Supervisor Lee County Labor Chapter Tom Little, Black Hawk County Supervisor Stacy Weber, Lee County Sheriff Linda Laylin, Black Hawk County Supervisor Gary Folluo, Lee County Supervisor Clinton Labor Congress Steve Diesch, Clinton County Sheriff Mike Brown, Clinton County Supervisor Eric Van Lancker, Clinton County Auditor Bill Jacobs, Clinton County Treasurer Des Moines Henry County Labor Alliance Kevin Glendening, Des Moines County Sheriff Terri Johnson, Des Moines County Auditor VOTE! Go to: https://www.iowaaflcio.org/election-2020 for more election information November 3rd Page 6 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS September 2020 Peter Rachleff: Turbulent History Sheds Light on Labor Day’s Relevance workers. In the 1880s, as the econ- Knights of Labor. Among railroad city and state labor organizations omy recovered, a new labor organi- workers, a new organization, the had followed this example. They zation, the Knights of Labor, swept American Railway Union, led by stayed away from May 1 because the country. It took in the unskilled a charismatic speaker, Eugene V. it had been so badly tainted by the as well as the skilled, immigrants as Debs, gathered all railroad workers anti-radical backlash that swept the well as native born, women as well together into one industrial union. country and the labor movement in as men and black as well as white. In April 1894, facing the kind of the late 1880s. Its motto was “An Injury to One is wage cuts which had spurred the Despite its official and non-radi- the Concern of All,” and in many 1877 upheaval, ARU members cal identity, Labor Day offered the communities its members actually struck James J. Hill’s Great North- occasion for the labor movement practiced what they preached. ern Railroad. This conflict led to a to express solidarity. Parades, pag- Activists in the Knights, frustrat- showdown in St. Paul in which a eants, picnics and rallies marked the ed with long hours (many toiled 12- striker, Charlie Luth, was shot and day across the country, complete hour days), low pay, little political killed by a strikebreaker outside an with banners emblazoned with the Peter Rachleff voice and general social disregard, East Side boardinghouse. Charles symbols of particular trades or ex- Monday, Sept. 1, will mark the hatched a radical new idea: that Pillsbury, head of the huge flour pressing labor slogans and mot- 120th celebration of Labor Day as a all workers should strike on May company, called Hill and Debs to- tos. Workers listened to speeches, legal, national holiday. The holiday 1, 1886, for a universal eight hour gether and mediated a settlement, engaged in political debates, and had a turbulent, complicated begin- day, and that none would return in which Hill rescinded the 10 per- joined in collective songs. Union ning. Understanding more about to work until all had achieved the cent wage cut he had imposed. members’ families were an integral this can help us rethink the signifi- new standard. This dramatic, uni- Railroad workers around the coun- part of the labor movement. Labor cance of this holiday today. fied action would not only bring try were inspired – and sprang into Day allowed for the building of a la- American labor in 1894 was a them the demands they wanted, action. bor culture. volatile force. The industrial revo- it would transform their relation- In June, the workers who built Over the next century, the vital- lution had radically transformed ships with each other across the sleeping cars in a Chicago suburb ity of Labor Day ebbed and flowed work, replacing skilled labor with country, and it would change the called Pullman – a company town with the overall energy and life of machines, and giving birth to two ways they were perceived by the in which the employer owned the the labor movement. After a rather powerful new institutions: facto- dominant culture. A lot was at houses, picked the police and con- quiet 1920s, Labor Day revived in ries and corporations. The econ- stake. An estimated 340,000 walked trolled the schools and stores – re- the 1930s and 1940s only to fade in omy had been rocked by three off their jobs May 1, and the num- belled when their wages were cut 25 significance in the 1950s and 1960s. deep depressions in the previous ber grew each day. percent without a reduction in rents. In the tumultuous 1980s and early two decades, when millions lost This struggle came to a climax They sent word to Debs and asked 1990s, stimulated by PATCO, Hor- their jobs and millions more expe- at the country’s largest factory, the to join the ARU. Debs welcomed mel, Staley, Caterpillar, the Chicago rienced wage cuts. Massive num- McCormick Harvester Works in them in and then called on railroad and Detroit newspapers and the bers of immigrants arrived and ap- Chicago. There, Knights of Labor workers across the country to “boy- struggle against the North Ameri- plied for the low-paid, dangerous, activists used rallies and picket cott” Pullman cars – that is, refuse can Free Trade Agreement, not just unskilled jobs that were available. lines at the plant gates to appeal to to move any train with a Pullman picnics and parades, but also ex- After the brief experiment in politi- all the workers, especially the newly car. Some 125,000 railroad workers pressions of solidarity and militan- cal and economic democracy called hired immigrants in the unskilled joined what was, in effect, a nation- cy became widespread once again. “Reconstruction,” the 4 million jobs, to join the great strike. On May wide railroad strike. President Gro- These patterns were as apparent in freed slaves, their descendants, 4 the Chicago police moved in, ac- ver Cleveland called out the Nation- St. Paul as they were anywhere else. and their northern relatives found cused the union leaders of holding al Guard to police the railroad yards As we mark the 120th celebration themselves stripped of their newly rallies without a permit, and or- and the roundhouses, but they of Labor Day, the labor movement won rights. Women’s suffrage ad- dered the crowd to disperse. Some- could not force the strikers to return is in an extraordinary period of vocates, who had hoped that the one threw a bomb into the ranks of to work. Pullman’s corporate attor- change. The movement is pressed ending of slavery would quickly be the police, who in turn opened fire ney, Richard Olney, the former U.S. by changes in the structure of the followed by the extension of voting on the crowd. Seven officers and Attorney General, sought a federal economy and the organization of (and other) rights to women, were four strikers died, and many more injunction ordering an end to the work on the one hand, and by viru- deeply disappointed. None of these people were injured. The leaders strike. The grounds? The strikers lent anti-union hostility typified by developments took place without of the strike were arrested and put were interfering with the shipment the Koch brothers, the Tea Party, a struggle, and there were strikes, on trial for murder. Eight were con- of the nation’s mail! Most trains Walmart and many other corporate protests, marches and rallies con- victed; four of them were hanged. had not only Pullman cars but also giants on the other. But labor is also tinuously in the last decades of the This repression sent a chill through U.S. mail cars. The federal judge energized from within by fast food century. the new labor movement, but it also issued the first ever federal injunc- and retail workers who demand a In the summer of 1877, railroad made martyrs out of the strike lead- tion against a strike, and ordered living wage, immigrants who seek workers from Martinsburg, West ers, and it made May 1 a labor holi- Debs to call off the strike. When to be recognized for their work and Virginia, to St. Louis and Chicago day throughout the world, includ- Debs refused, the judge found him paid appropriately for it, public em- went on strike against wage cuts. ing parts of the U.S. in contempt and sent him to prison, ployees who know that their work Tens of thousands, from highly The new ideas and strategies, where he spent the next 18 months. contributes to the public’s quality of skilled engineers to largely black particularly the practice of broad- In a matter of days, the strikers went life and are sick of being scorned in and immigrant track-layers, struck. based solidarity, picked up again back to work. the political pulpits and mass me- In some places, strikers fought with in the early 1890s. In cities across It was within this context that dia, college professors who want other workers, who were desperate the country, central labor bodies Cleveland asked Congress to pass full-time jobs with economic secu- enough to cross picket lines. When united local unions from a wide legislation making the first Mon- rity and the opportunity to control several state militias were called range of trades and occupations, day in September Labor Day. With their own classrooms, and home out to protect the strikebreakers, organizing solidarity when any one hand he allowed the country’s health care and child-care provid- violent clashes ensued and there union went on strike. In 1892 two greatest labor leader to sit in a pris- ers who want to throw off their in- were deaths on both sides. In some dramatic strikes – in July at An- on cell, and with the other he cre- visibility and be appreciated in our places, militia members refused to drew Carnegie’s flagship Home- ated a national holiday celebrating society for the important work they fire on workers, and they put down stead Steel Works, and in Novem- labor. Cleveland was also careful perform. their weapons and joined the pro- ber in New Orleans, beginning on to direct workers’ celebration away A great history lies ahead. Happy testors. For 45 days the nation’s rail the docks but spreading through- from May 1, which had become an Labor Day! traffic, the heart of its transportation out the city into a general strike – international labor day. He took his ­— Union Advocate, 8/25/2014 system, was disrupted. again saw the kind of solidarity be- cue from the City Central Peter Rachleff is a professor of histo- While the railroad strike did not tween immigrants and native born, Labor Union, which had been cel- ry at Macalester College and president succeed, it planted new ideas about white and black, skilled and un- ebrating an early September “Labor of the East Side Freedom Library in St. organizing and strategy among skilled that had characterized the Day” since 1882. A number of other Paul, MN. September 2020 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS Page 7 Common Good Iowa By Mike Owen selves — how we can move Iowa to days began working with the Child families, and child care assistance, Nineteen years after the Iowa an anti-racist climate that offers op- and Family Policy Center, building and food assistance (SNAP), and Policy Project produced its first ma- portunity for every single Iowan, no on the legislative relationship be- better school funding. jor report, The State of Working Iowa, matter the color of their skin, their tween Osterberg and CFPC founder All by way of saying, the rela- 2001, the latest version in this long heritage, their identity or their ZIP Charles Bruner, a former state sena- tionship between the two organi- series is now out — but under the code. tor from Ames. zations — now one — has always banner of a new organization: Com- That is how we can use public While both organizations had been strong. The new arrangement mon Good Iowa. policy to build an agenda that truly areas of work that only one or the should make it stronger, seamless, It’s really a coincidence of the cal- is based on the “common good” — other pursued, there were also building on what CFPC has done endar that the timing of the merger hence the name we chose for our strong areas of overlap, particular- for three decades and IPP for two. of IPP with the Child and Family new organization. ly in budget and tax policy. So we Everyone from both previous Policy Center sets up our regular As always, we believe that starts branded our combined work under staffs remains with the new orga- Labor Day look at the climate for with the fundamentals of rock-solid the label of the Iowa Fiscal Partner- nization, as do our commitments to working families in Iowa, but it is information and rigorous analysis ship. the range of issues we have worked fitting nevertheless. Because even that helps everyone, whether in the It’s where many Iowans learned in the past. We will retain offices in as names change and times change, coffee shop or the Capitol, at the about the legal scandal of tax cred- Des Moines and Iowa City. some things will not with our new kitchen table or over the backyard its and tax loopholes that have We welcome your queries and organization that combines the tal- fence, to talk about issues and solu- drained resources away from ser- perspectives, and we will continue ents, expertise and contacts of IPP tions from a common understand- vices that help struggling Iowans to seek your support. Good re- and CFPC. ing. and enhance opportunity for all. search and analysis does not just As with our separate organiza- That is how the Iowa Policy Proj- As we have noted many times, for happen — it must be supported and tions before, Common Good Iowa ect originally started. Many of you example, checks to big companies promoted. will be on the job as long as: have heard the story: David Oster- to do research they would do any- Please stay in touch with us and  wages are too low and Iowans berg, a former state representative way — and that pay no Iowa in- watch for news about our coming can’t make ends meet, from Mount Vernon, had a meet- come taxes — cost the state over website, www.commongoodiowa.  pensions and Social Security ing in 2000 with Mark Smith, then $40 million a year. That is the cost org. In the meantime, you can con- are threatened, president of the Iowa Federation of of a 1 percent increase in school tinue to reach us at our existing  access to health care and child Labor, AFL-CIO. David thought he aid, which the Legislature routine- emails and find our previous work care is inadequate, was going in to seek funding for a ly shortchanges. Our organizations on our websites, www.iowapolicy-  denigration of our water and report about corporate welfare. In- worked to put that issue in front of project.org and www.cfpciowa.org. our climate are ignored, stead, he learned Mark had bigger policy makers and the public, and Feel free to contact me or Common  our tax system is unfair, and ideas, to start a “think tank” to ad- now it is understood — if not yet Good Iowa executive director Anne  our public services are short- dress working family issues in a corrected. Work is yet to be done Discher, [email protected]. changed. sustained way. “I walked out with a on that and other work of our two Mike Owen, former executive direc- We will be doing so with a spe- job,” Osterberg recalls. organizations together, such as the tor of the Iowa Policy Project, is deputy cial emphasis on equity — not just That meeting spawned what be- Earned Income Tax Credit for low- director of Common Good Iowa. Con- to spread the word, but to learn our- came IPP, which from its earliest and moderate-income working tact: [email protected]. Sign Up to Power the Polls Today As coronavirus continues to im- worker can be a bit complicated, In the meantime, we also ask that combat the shortage of poll work- pact Americans across the country, but don’t worry: the Power the Polls you encourage your friends and ers in the upcoming election. Sign there has been a staggering de- team will help you along the way. In family to sign up to be poll workers up to Power the Polls today. crease in the number of people who the coming weeks, Power the Polls and help ensure a safe and fair elec- https://www.powerthepolls.org/ will host briefings to provide you tion. Click below to share Power the aflcio with more information about the ap- Polls with your network: Thanks for being a part of this. plication process and what to expect The AFL-CIO is proud to part- In solidarity, when you become a poll worker. ner with Power the Polls to help Team AFL-CIO We Need You to be an Iowan Pollworker This Election Helping voters vote, answering their questions, er precinct election official to assist with curbside guiding them through the voting process and guard- voting. You also help maintain proper distancing at are able to work the polls — which ing the integrity of our elections is paramount in deter- the polling site. could mean closed polling places mining the will of the vot- You will work for your and long delays during the Novem- ers in selecting our leaders. county auditor and under ber election. The precinct election offi- the direction of the pre- The AFL-CIO is proud to partner cials who are tasked with cinct chair. The polls are with Power the Polls, a first-of-its- these duties are dedicated open from 7 AM to 9 PM. kind initiative to recruit poll work- to our democracy and to Election officials start set- ers to ensure a safe, fair election for making sure elections run ting up at 6 AM. You will all voters. smoothly. be paid for your training Will you help us address our na- So what would you do session and your work on tion’s critical poll worker shortage? as a precinct election of- election day. You can help make sure we have a ficial? On Election Day, Iowa Precinct Election safe, fair, efficient election for all you would check in vot- Official Requirements voters, and potentially get paid to ers and issue them bal- You must: do it. Sign up to Power the Polls lots. Most counties use a  Be registered to vote today. https://www.powerthepolls. computer to walk precinct in Iowa org/aflcio election officials through  Be at least 17 years Once you’ve signed up, depend- the steps. Designated pre- old ing on your jurisdiction, you will cinct election officials give  Be a resident of the either be contacted by Power the instructions on how to county you serve in Polls, a partner organization, or use special ballot marking devices for people with  Complete the required training your local election administrators disabilities. Voters also may vote their ballots from For more information go the Iowa Secretary of regarding your application. their cars, so you might be sent outside with anoth- State web page. Pollworker.iowa.gov. The process to become a poll Page 8 IOWA AFL-CIO NEWS September 2020 Vote in the 2020 November 3rd Election by Scott Punteney, President including our Labor Day Picnics in movement is all about Solidarity and message to you members. Western Iowa Labor Federation each of our Chapters, but our work having a collective voice, not about With everyone working together 402-657-1007 has not stopped. hate and division. we can flip the Iowa House and Sen- [email protected] The Western Iowa Labor Federa- With this I urge all labor leaders ate; we can send a real leader in Tere- The mission of the Western Iowa tion held several community servic- to contact their members about the sa Greenfield to Washington; we can Labor Federation is to bring together es projects throughout the summer upcoming elections. Get them regis- remove hate from the White House; area unions as one force to improve including donation drives partner- tered to vote. Send local union letters we can elect Rita, Abby, Cindy and the lives of workers, their families, ing with local homeless shelters and about our endorsed candidates, and JD as our congressional delegation; and our community. To bring eco- educators. We have organized and the issues they stand for. If anyone and we can elect Labor friendly can- nomic justice to the workplace and supported actions to help save the needs help with crafting letters or didates up and down the ballot this social justice to the nation. We ac- USPS and to support a safe plan for unregistered voter lists, please con- fall. complish this mission by working our Teachers and Children to return tact me. I am here to help you get the In Solidarity. to build worker power through po- to school. litical education and action, union It is clear our Governor and Presi- organizing, community service pro- dent do not care about working grams, participation in the United people. They are fine with sacrificing Busy Times at Hawkeye Way’s annual campaign, and educa- lives in order to win an election. I nev- tional programs for the entire com- er imagined I would see a day where munity. a President would stand with Russia As the covid-19 pandemic has af- over our deployed troops, where our Area Labor Council fected everything in our daily lives. government would turn its military by Jerry Hageman, is different than the GRALF, the The Western Iowa Labor Federation force against its own citizens. This is Hawkeye Area Labor Council WILF, or the SCIFL. I try to stay ac- has also adapted to keep everyone happening now. It is past time to sit As a part time political field coor- tive in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls safe. We have moved all our meet- on the sidelines and be complacent. dinator for the Hawkeye Area Labor area, mainly with an occasional trip ings to 100% virtual, we have can- Now more than ever we must come Council, my territory covers from to Mason City or Marshaltown in celled our large gathering events, together and fight back. The Labor Mason City to Iowa City. Our ALF the past. This covid-19 situation has made it challenging to carry out many of our normal activities. Our Labor Day picnic has been cancelled as have all other picnics. Hawkeye La- bor has been able to go ahead with their Honor Flight Poker Run Fund- raiser and their Wild Cat Glen Golf Tournament. Building the With a lot of research and hard work by Rick Moyle, we have a new labor movement 501c3 set up for our Local Union through Community Charities (LUCC). This has taken over a year to set up in education reaction to the Cedar Valley Unit- ed Way not hiring a labor liaison after John Padget moved on. This 501c3 may prove useful for other fundraising efforts due to natural calamities that may happen in our area. The total destruction of trees, power infrastructure and buildings in Cedar Rapids has put a hard stop Fall 2020 Programs Offered via Zoom on activities there for awhile. So, online meetings have become a normal way to get things done like New Iowa Workers’ Health & Financial our Iowa Worker Safety Council Stewards Compensation Safety Officers meetings to help Tyson workers and our Save Our Postal Workers days of actions coming up soon to fight back against the Trump administra- tion’s efforts to keep us from voting in the coming election.

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COST: $200 per person per program Participants must provide an email address, have an internet connection, and join using a computer When registering, please include the participant name(s), union title/position, union name and local #, mailing address, email, and daytime phone #. Registration fees should be paid by check (made payable to The University of Iowa) and mailed to Labor Center, The University of Iowa, 100 BioVentures Center, Room W130, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in a program, please contact the Labor Center in advance at 319.335.4144.