Letter: Stand with hardworking Iowans

As a lifelong Iowan, and as the daughter, granddaughter, and sister of teachers, I am strongly opposed to the legislative majority's plan to gut Chapter 20. This legislation would destroy our state's tradition of great public schools and would harm the hardworking educators who care for our children every day. Furthermore, this bill is not just an attack on teachers. It's an attack on all of Iowa's public employees.

This legislation isn't about 'reform.” It is a boldfaced attempt to harm hardworking Iowans. Similar legislation was passed in Wisconsin, with devastating results, as their state employees saw an 8-10 percent decrease in take home pay. Iowa's bill is even more draconian than Wisconsin's, as it seeks to mandate at-will employment and threatens health insurance coverage for any and all public employees regardless of union representation. It would impact employees at every level of public service including cities, counties, schools, community colleges, Regents universities, and state agencies.

Please stand with Iowa's teachers, nurses, social workers, and other hardworking public employees.

Meghann Foster

Coralville