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Your Capitol Voice: What bargaining bill does — and does not — do
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Op-Ed · February 16, 2017
During the past week many of you have been contacting me regarding the collective bargaining bill.
I have had people contact me both for and against. I have also had people contact me with suggested changes. It is my job to listen to both sides of every issue and then make a determination about how to proceed.
This past Saturday I held three Listening Posts in Bennett, Lowden, and Clarence. I spent seven hours talking to dozens of people who came out to speak. I appreciate the large crowds and your willingness to engage in public discussions.
I come from a family with many union members. I have the highest respect for those that do the work that makes the rest of our lives work. I also have four K-12 public school teachers in my immediate family. My own father received an outstanding faculty award in 2012, the only one given in Iowa that year, as well as being a former negotiator for his local union. There is definitely some misinformation being sent to local citizens about the bill from the Des Moines and DC union lobbyists. Some of this misinformation was intended to raise fears. One of the statewide union heads even sent out a memo calling three Republican female legislators a name that is so sexist and derogatory I can’t even put it in the newspaper. I was also included on that memo which was exposed last Friday. I do NOT generalize poor tactics and offensive language with all people in an organization. I think there is a huge difference between tactics in Des Moines and the rank and file teacher/government employee in Iowa. There has also been misinformation spread about the bill from those advocating for it. Bottom line: there has been incorrect information from both sides.
Here is what the bill does NOT do:
1. This bill does not touch IPERS. Your retirement is NOT a part of the bill. If it was, I would be a NO without blinking an eye.
2. This bill does NOT remove the state requirement that public employees receive mandatory health care. If you are a public employee receiving health care that will not change.
3. This bill is NOT modeled after the Wisconsin bill. The Wisconsin bill cut almost 1 billion dollars from education and slashed people’s pensions. This bill does NOT cut education funding nor does it touch your retirement.
4. This bill does NOT affect private sector unions or fire/police/and other public safety groups.
Here are some of the key points the bill DOES do:
There are four major areas of change. Some I strongly support. Other parts, quite frankly, I am not nearly as comfortable. (1) This bill allows an arbitrator to choose a middle ground between the two opposing sides. Right now that arbitrator has to choose one or the other. I have long advocated for this. (2) The bill compels a union to recertify every year. I would prefer this to be every two years to match what I have to do as a legislator, making the case whether I should remain in office representing you. It also eliminates automatic deductions from a paycheck for union dues.
(3) The bill reduces mandatory bargaining topics significantly, leaving only one…salary. One can still bargain these areas and every single superintendent that has reached out to me tells me they likely will, but I understand the angst and complaints I have heard about this provision. I am working with other legislators to amend the bill to make this less controversial to rank and file employees. I believe an amendment to add release time, seniority, and grievance procedures to the “permissive” list for bargaining will pass. I have heard much complaint about these three areas. I strongly support this amendment. I will also be advocating for some other changes in this category.
And (4) health care is one of the areas no longer on the list above. Employees will still be provided health care (that is mandatory) but the specific provisions are not mandatory for bargaining. I sincerely believe this represents the best hope for savings.
It is not required but with health care not on the list, schools, cities, counties, and the state will be able to create a much larger pool of insured employees. Every single source I have consulted tells me that this will reduce rates. We must search for answers for reducing, or at least holding the line on insurance costs. For example, the three Universities have wanted to pool their healthcare together so they have a bigger customer base to negotiate with insurers for more coverage at a lower cost. With the option in the bill to pool healthcare you could see better health care for a lower cost if you are affiliated with the Universities. This is true for counties, k-12 schools, community colleges, and cities as well. The answers do not seem to be coming from Washington so if this can help at the state level, I believe it is worth it. All five members of my family will be directly a part of this change.
Capitol visitors: Alan Ostergen, Dennis Hill, Mark Henning, Bill Petersen, Muscatine; Don Roth, Dave Mohr, Tipton; Dave Timmerman, Bennett; Bob and Dawn Smith, Durant; Al Kroeger, Mike Shuger, Jill Urmie, Dan Fratzke, Paul Begley, Wilton; Mike Carberry, Iowa City.
You may contact Rep. Kaufmann at bobby.kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov, 515-281-3221 or 1527 330th St. Wilton, IA, 52778
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