Update 1:35pm 2/17/17
Governor Terry Branstad has signed into law changes that will drastically limit how Iowa’s public workers can negotiate over employment conditions.
The governor signed the legislation privately Friday, one day after GOP lawmakers with majorities in the Legislature voted to approve it.
Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, the incoming governor, were vocal about their support for altering Iowa’s 1974 collective bargaining law, which had allowed public sector unions to negotiate over health insurance, extra pay and other working conditions.
Mandatory discussions will now be focused on base wages.
The measure is similar to a 2011 collective bargaining law passed in Wisconsin.
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The Iowa Legislature has approved a bill that would greatly reduce negotiating power for public sector unions in the state.
The GOP-led Senate voted 29-21 Thursday, with all Democrats and an independent opposed.
The vote followed lengthy debate in the chamber that started Wednesday morning and entered the next day.
The Republican-majority House approved the measure 53-47 about an hour earlier.
Governor Terry Branstad calls the passage of the bill a monumental achievement:
OC…………..A REASONABLE AMOUNT. ;16
Legislative leaders used a rare procedural move to end debate early on the bill in both chambers.
Democratic representative Tim Kacena of Sioux City says Republicans engaed in “union busting” by passing the bill:
OC………..WILL NOT. :09
The bill now heads to Governor Branstad, who says he will sign the measure into law as quickly as possible.
