Iowa Republicans Propose Collective Bargaining Reform

Backers of reforming collective bargain rules in Iowa spoke in support of the proposed measure as hundreds protested against it Monday at a public hearing, the Des Moines Register reported Tuesday.

The Republican proposal being considering in the Iowa Capitol would allow public employees to negotiate wages, hours, and work conditions, but not their healthcare or layoffs.

Republican leaders across the country, including in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio, are moving toward limiting the collective bargaining powers of unions.
John Gilliland of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, said Iowa's current collective bargaining system gives taxpayers little or no say.

"Taxpayers are simply forced to pay for whatever wages and benefits that the unions, government officials and unelected arbiters decide," he said. "The escalating costs of this system are not sustainable."

Republicans said they’re not ending collective bargaining the Iowa. The proposed law would allow both parties to talk about “mutually agreed upon” matters during negotiations.