DES MOINES – The state of Iowa requested that its contract-covered union employees forgo a raise – and they said no way.
AFSCME Iowa Council 61 said Monday that a request came to them from the State of Iowa for State contract-covered employees to forgo the 1.25% wage increase they received, as per their contract, at the beginning of this year. According to union president Danny Homan, “this request came with no promise of fewer layoffs or anything as a ‘trade off’ for those affected. Both our Bargaining Committee and I were adamant that this decision needed to be made by the members it would effect.”
From February 6 – 11, votes were cast all across the state by over 50% of state contract members. Many new members also joined the Union to have their voice heard on this important decision.
With over 50% of members voting, 97.5% voted “no” and 2.5% voted “yes.” This means that the 1.25% wage increase will remain in place.
“The members have clearly spoken and their decision has been relayed to the State,” Mr. Homan said. “Please keep in mind that the current budget crisis was in no way created by public employees, so attempting to balance the budget on our backs is irresponsible and unjust.”
These people move the snow off the interstates, and move the snow off or your roads, give them a break. Hard working family men and women who deserve a raise, let the governor and senators take a cut in salary and watch things change. Don’t be so critical until you know the facts people!
Hilarious how many are so jealous of state workers. Apply and land a state job. Oh that’s right, they employ the best of the best. Not those with poor work history and who have made poor life choices.
Its all about who you know, plain and simple. Stereotypical, state workers are about the laziest S.O.B.s you ever met.
How putrid that anyone would expect ANY employee to give back their tiny merit increase! Especially when they have not even received their increases in what two years? Politicians are the greedy and lazy bastards. Not the workers and most don’t make more than $45000 a year anyway.
This problem will be taken care of in the future, the 1.25% won’t hurt the state and it is in their contract. The future contracts will help when they start paying for their health insurance like the rest of us do instead of paying $20 or very little per month.
They should not give back their pay raise they are employees just like you and me they have a job description and they work to make a living for their families.
Politicians first, farmer second, everyone else can drink river water
Of course the voted it down. It is never enough for the greedy bastards.