Union re-certification process moves forward under Iowa's new collective bargaining laws

An estimated 40,000 union workers will cast ballots in the next three months, marking the start of a new certification process for public-sector labor unions that was approved earlier this year in a massive overhaul of Iowa's collective bargaining laws.

A legislative panel voted Friday to advance a framework governing the election processes, despite requests from some labor leaders to delay the process until more of their questions could be answered.

“With such important matters remaining unsettled, we’re concerned that this uncertainty will lead to confusion for all parties as we move forward in this process," said Charlie Wishman, secretary-treasurer for the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

At issue is the certification process for unions. Public workers vote to certify unions, thereby granting them permission to collectively negotiate with the state on their behalf.

Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/04/union-re-certification-process-moves-forward-under-iowas-new-collective-bargaining-laws/541046001/