Scaled-back labor proposals introduced

DES MOINES -- Democratic lawmakers are taking another stab at a pair of controversial labor issues, introducing scaled-back proposals that affect labor unions Thursday.

House Study Bill 702 would entitle public-sector unions representing executive branch employees to reimbursement for services provided to non-members in some instances.

“If somebody needs to grieve the contract, they can do that and there will be associated costs to that, and they'll need to pay for it,” said Rep. Geri Huser, D-Altoona.

She said the measure is different from so-called “fair share,” where non-union members pay fees for union services.

“I see this as a separate, unique thing that is applied just to the public sector,” Huser said.

House Republicans called the proposal an attempt to gut Iowa's right to work law, which prohibits forced union membership as a condition of employment.

“It is simply wrong to tell someone they must give their hard-earned dollars to an organization they have chosen not to be a member of,” said House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha. “A union is not forced to represent non-members.”

House Study Bill 699 would set prevailing wage requirements for public construction projects, but would allow cities, counties and school boards to opt out. Projects under $100,000 would be exempted. The measure also would require workers to complete a safety program before beginning work on the project.

Rep. Lance Horbach, R-Tama, called the latest proposals “fair share light” and “prevailing wage light.”

“They're taking little pieces so that they can say in the election that they were able to get this. I just hope that we have the same public reaction that we've had in the past, and we can stop this legislation,” Horbach said.