Iowa offers public employees 1 percent pay hikes; the largest union wants 3 percent increases

Iowa is offering 1 percent across-the-board wage increases for each of the next two years to unions representing thousands of state employees in contract talks.

The largest union — Council 61 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — made an initial proposal for pay hikes of 3 percent for each year. AFSCME is also seeking so-called "step increases" within wage scales of 4.5 percent for each year.

The proposed two-year contract would begin July 1, 2019. It would affect about 19,000 public employees represented by AFSCME.

Other unions entering collective bargaining with state officials include the State Police Officers Council; the Iowa United Professionals Science Unit; and the Iowa United Professionals Social Services Unit. They have also received offers from state officials of 1 percent pay raises for each of the next two years and they are all asking for more money.

Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/20/state-iowa-union-public-employees-afscme-reynolds-contracts-negotiations-collective-bargaining-talks/2375290002/