The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Iowa Council 61 filed a lawsuit yesterday (Monday) in Polk County District Court. The union is seeking an order to immediately halt the enforcement of Senate File 213 and House File 291, companion bills that alter collective bargaining agreements. The lawsuit claims that by exempting certain employees, such as fire and police personnel, the law creates two classes of public bargaining units, which violates citizen equality as defined in the state constitution. Sixth District Iowa Senator, Mark Segebart of Vail, has said that last week’s Legislative vote to pass the companion bills is a good thing for Iowa workers and government subdivisions. He said that the bills will improve the way workers become members of a bargaining unit and will now require a vote of members before contract negotiations begin. He says it will also require dues be paid directly to bargaining units and not be automatically deducted from pay and will require agreement on bargaining topics. He went on to say that healthcare benefits have not been eliminated, the local governments will pick the best plan for their employees and their budget, and due process is still available to terminated employees. In the end, Segebart said, the changes create a level playing field between the bargaining units for affected state, county, city, school, non-profit and hospital employees and local boards.
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