AFL-CIO Western Iowa Labor Federation President Jeff Shudak joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the challenges of organizing in Iowa, a So-Called “Right to Work” state, and numerous pieces of anti-labor legislation in the state that make life difficult for working families.
From a political standpoint, the last five years in Iowa have been, “a horror show,” Shudak said.
It was particularly brutal in 2017, when legislation was passed that stripped public sector unions of their collective bargaining rights, essentially nullifying all contracts for public employees, he added. The legislation made it illegal for employees to have their union dues deducted from their paychecks and required public sector unions to recertify every two years through a vote that includes all employees – not just union employees. Project Labor Agreements were also outlawed.
Shudak said the only solution to anti-worker legislation is to fight back politically. Members of the Western Iowa Labor Federation have been knocking on doors and encouraging the support of pro-labor candidates.
Discussion then turned to the numerous strikes taking place in Iowa. Shudak provided updates on the strikes at Kellogg’s and John Deere and said the Western Iowa Labor Federation and the AFL-CIO have helped by joining picket lines and donating food.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics: