Click For An Obama Victory!

CHAPTER 20 VICTORY IN THE LEGISLATURE!

WE DID IT! Thanks to our strength, combined with that of other labor unions around the state, the Senate and the House passed legislation to open the scope of bargaining topics for public sector workers in Iowa.

The new proposal, which Gov. Chet Culver still needs to sign and has actually threatened to veto, would expand the list of

TAKE ACTION!
CONTACT GOV. CULVER!
TELL HIM TO SIGN THE BILL!

Write the Governor a letter:

Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Call the office of the Governor:
515.281.5211

Or send him a message at:
http://www.governor.iowa.gov/administration/contact/

permissible topics of bargaining to include nearly anything related to working conditions, except for retirement programs established by law – in other words, IPERS. That means discipline and discharge and staffing levels are on the table.

SEIU Local 199 President Cathy Glasson urged members not to be taken in by opponents who say the law would lead to tax increases. “Remember, there are 27 other states that have similar rules, including Illinois, Minnesota and Nebraska, and they have not gone bankrupt because of it. This is a matter of fairness. The law hasn’t really been changed since it was implemented in 1974.”

Fifth Annual Lobby Day

Lobby Day 08

On Valentines Day, nearly 50 people representing SEIU Local 199 and Iowa for Health Care discussed improving Iowa’s healthcare with state legislators.

Members handed out Valentine’s Day cards to all the legislators, urging them to support a law that would cover the 45,000 children in Iowa who do not have health insurance. Such a law would be a first step toward universal coverage. They also spoke face-to-face with many of the lawmakers, telling them personal stories of the problems associated with the current state of health care.

“Healthcare is an issue for all of our members,” said Kirsten Running-Marquardt, associate director of Iowa for Health Care, a project of SEIU. “We need universal health care so we don’t have to trade coverage for wages at the bargaining table. Some SEIU members use up half their monthly paycheck just to pay for insurance. And that’s wrong.”

» Read more

Press Citizen Calls For Increased Pay For Nurses

Monday, March 10, 2008

Our View - Raise wages to keep nurses here in Iowa

Saturday's Opinion Forum presented three guest opinions responding to a report recently released by Gov. Chet Culver's task force on nursing, chaired by Lt. Gov. Patty Judge ("Iowa's nurses face many challenges," March 8). The report recommended that Iowa:

» Read more

WHAT IS COPE?

IT'S HEALTHCARE REFROM, WHISTLE BLOWER PROTECTION AND THE RIGHT TO BARGAIN OVER ISSUES THAT AFFECT US IN THE WORKPLACE.
BUT HOW???
JOIN COPE (SEIU’s Political Program)

And by the way, you don’t have to be a political junkie to join COPE, just someone who’d like to stop the junky politics happening in Des Moines and D.C.

TOP 10 REASONS TO JOIN COPE (with apologies to David Letterman):

10. We’re right and they’re wrong.
9. It’s a chance to help working people.
8. Corporate lobbyists shouldn’t have all the fun.
7. Winning feels so darn good.
6. Finally, a level political playing field.
5. It beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
4. The next generation desreves a better world.
3. Good Karma (who knows it may help you to win the lottery.
2. It's only a few bucks.

And the #1 reason...

1. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!

BUT WHAT THE HECK IS COPE ANYWAY??

» Read more

Hold Our Politicians Accountable

It's time to hold our politicians accountable!

» Read more

University Hospitals Nurse Featured on Obama Ad

University Hospitals nurse Becky Leaven said she doesn't mind having her picture on a billboard in Des Moines -- at least it's a good one.

"My eyes are open," she said.

Leaven, a member of Local 199 of the Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, was selected months ago to have her photo taken for the group's Walk a Mile In My Shoes campaign.

» Read more