March 21, 2008

HIGHLITES FROM THE SENATE

SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN

We have all heard the statement, “the fox guarding the hen house”, well, that is what is happening with collective bargaining in the state of Iowa. Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code has been in effect for more than thirty years. It allows union representatives to negotiate with school administration and county and city officials.

HF 2645, the bill that guts the state’s collective bargaining law, was railroaded through the House under the cover of darkness and sent to the Senate. The bill would expand the scope of union bargaining which now includes wages, vacations, holidays, seniority, transfer procedures, job classifications, procedures for staff reduction and in-service training. HF 2645 would extend the unions’ power to include work shifts and schedules, shift differentials, insurance carriers, leaves of absence, overtime compensation, supplemental pay, health or safety matters, evaluation procedures, discipline, preparation time, school class size, work uniforms, staffing levels and early retirement issues.

Senate Republicans feel strongly that this legislation would be devastating for our state. Des Moines officials have stated that the bill could mean a 7% increase in taxes if expensive union proposals are enacted. The elected officials you voted for would no longer be making the decisions you entrusted them with.

Debating and passing this bill during the week many schools are on spring break and over a holiday weekend, meant the public had little notice and virtually no input on the issue. There is no reason for this mad dash to pass the bill. The public deserves a chance to understand its scope and offer support or criticism on this far reaching and controversial issue.

This morning, after caucusing for more than 22 hours, Senate Republicans extended an offer to the Democrat Majority in an attempt to resolve this stalemate. We offered to allow the bill to be read in then have a subcommittee and full committee hearing in an effort to move it to the Senate floor. Procedurally, this is how bills correctly make it through the legislative process. It would make the bill funnel proof and eligible for debate anytime during the rest of the session. We are ready to debate this on Monday of next week. This is our first offer to the Majority and it will be our last.

If necessary, we are willing to work all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, to complete any other action the Majority party wants to bring forward. However, we steadfastly refuse to allow a radical expansion of union powers to move forward - at the expense of taxpayers - without informed public comment.

Respectfully,

SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN
Senate District 8

For further information or clarification, please contact me at the Capitol (515) 281-3371 or at my home (563) 864-3104.