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Cathy Glasson’s campaign workers become first in Iowa to unionize

“I believe in the right to join a union no matter where you work. I’m proud to recognize the Campaign Workers Guild.”

GLASSON

DES MOINES – The staff of Cathy Glasson’s bold progressive campaign for Governor has become the first in Iowa to unionize. The Iowa Democrat’s campaign is the second gubernatorial race in the country to unionize. The Glasson staff unanimously ratified a contract Monday afternoon and will now join the Campaign Worker’s Guild, a union that represents the interests of political campaign workers across the country. Glasson formally recognized the union last week.

The Glasson campaign’s full-time staff already received full healthcare coverage and was among the best paid in the state. Now, as a result of the new contract, part-time campaign staff will also receive full healthcare benefits, as well. Glasson’s campaign workers also bargained for a salary increase for field staff, an increase in campaign expense stipends, and an increase in reimbursements.

“We’ve had a fair wage and full benefits from day one,” said executive assistant Katie Wilson. “But the campaign is truly putting its money where its mouth is. We have a union on the job now and we were able to collectively bargain for even better treatment for all our workers.”

“A union no matter where you work isn’t just something we say in TV commercials,” said Cathy Glasson. “It’s a real value we’re living and breathing every day. When our staff approached me with their plan to form a union, I agreed to it on the spot. I’m honored to recognize the Campaign Workers Guild and proud that every one of our frontline workers has joined the union.”

“It’s time more Democratic candidates and campaigns lived up to their labor values the way Cathy has,” said Regional Field Organizer Nora Taft. “I hope our move to unionize opens the door for other campaign workers across the state and the country to do the same thing.”

“Right now, Governor Kim Reynolds and the Republican Legislature are coming up with new ways to take public workers’ rights away and put up even tougher hurdles to voting in union elections,” Cathy Glasson commented. “It’s time to stop talking and start acting. Restoring Chapter 20 protections for public employees is the bare minimum we should do. Every Democrat running for Governor or the Legislature must commit to finally eliminating all of Iowa’s so-called right to work laws next year and passing bold measures to make it easier for every Iowa worker to join a union. If we want workers’ votes we have to prove we’ll fight hard for their right to join a union.”

Cathy Glasson, 59, is the President of SEIU Local 199 representing thousands of nurses, health care workers and school support employees across Iowa. She is a registered nurse who worked in the intensive care unit at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where she led the effort to unionize her fellow nurses 18 years ago. She lives in Coralville, Iowa with her husband Matt, a labor educator.

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