23 Oct 2014

Iowa AFL-CIO Releases Working Family Values Report Card on Candidates for U.S. Senate

By Lance Coles

Ernst Earns 'F's On Issues Important to Iowa's Working Families

DES MOINES, October 21, 2014 - The Iowa AFL-CIO today released the Working Family Values Report Card, which gives grades to the candidates for U.S. Senate on a handful of issues critical to Iowa's working families. Candidate Joni Ernst earned all 'F's on issues ranging from increasing the minimum wage to protecting Social Security and Medicare, whereas Rep. Bruce Braley earned 'A's due to his strong support for pro-working family policies.

"Whether it is raising the minimum wage to help low-wage employees afford a few more groceries every week or supporting equal pay for equal work so that women aren't forced to continue earning 78 cents for every dollar earned by men, Joni Ernst earned an F on every subject," said Ken Sagar, Iowa AFL-CIO President. "On issues important to the working families of Iowa, Joni Ernst needs to go back to school and study harder on the challenges facing hard-working women and men in our state."

The AFL-CIO Working Family Values report card was created by grading each candidate for U.S. Senate on a handful of key issues important to working families in Iowa. Those issues include :

  • Increasing the minimum wage

  • Pay equity

  • Protecting Social Security and Medicare

  • Supporting job creation in America and opposing outsourcing of American jobs overseas

  • Tax fairness and closing corporate tax loopholes

"It's hard enough for working families in Iowa to make ends meet these days. The last thing they need is for Joni Ernst to go to the U.S. Senate to push an agenda that puts corporate interests ahead of their needs," added Sagar. "That's why we support Bruce Braley, because he will look out for working families."

08 Oct 2014

Letter to editor re Joni Ernst on Minimum wage

By Lance Coles

Dear Ms. Ernst,

You recently said that a federal minimum wage was "ridiculous." A policy that protects tens of millions of American workers and whose erosion due to Congressional passivity has left 200,000+ Iowans making less today, adjusted for inflation, than low­wage workers made 46 years is far from ridiculous.

Are the 70­80% of Americans ­­ across every demographic group, including a majority of Republicans ­­ who, in poll after poll, support raising the federal minimum wage ridiculous?

 

Are the four Republican Presidents ­­ Eisenhower, Nixon, and both Bushes ­­ who raised the minimum wage ridiculous?

 

Are the 61% of small business employers polled by the American Sustainable Business Council who support a raise in the federal minimum wage ­­ including 49% of Republican small business employers ­­ ridiculous?

 

Are the seven Nobel Prize­winning economists who support a raise in the federal minimum wage ­­ citing the "stimulative effect on the economy as low­wage workers spend their additional earnings" ­­ ridiculous?

 

Are conservative leaders like Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, Bill O'Reilly, and Phyllis Schlafly ­­ who point out that indexing the minimum wage assures business certainty and that rewarding work lessens public assistance expenditures ­­ ridiculous?

 

Are the 65% of Iowans polled who favor raising the minimum wage ­­ including Senator Tom Harkin, who drafted the federal bill that would bring $430 million in aggregate wage increases to hundreds of thousands of Iowans ­­ ridiculous?

 

A growing substantial consensus of Americans, Republicans, small business employers, economists, conservative leaders, and, specifically, Iowans believe that the minimum wage should be restored to its past purchasing power: $10.94, which the minimum wage would be today if the 1968 minimum wage was adjusted for inflation. They also believe it should be preserved through indexing so that the purchasing power of the federal minimum wage is never eroded again.

You are running for Senator ­­ a federal office ­­ and the people of Iowa deserve to know your stance on the federal minimum wage. The question is simple: If elected, would you support or oppose restoring the purchasing power of the federal minimum wage?

 

The 200,000+ Iowans who are making less today, adjusted for inflation, than minimum wage workers made 46 years ago await your answer.

Sincerely,

Charlie Wishman, Secretary/Treasurer Iowa Federation of Labor - AFL-CIO

01 Oct 2014

1 year anniversary of government shutdown

By Lance Coles

One Year Later: A Vote for Steve King or Joni Ernst is a Vote for Another Government Shutdown

Des Moines, Iowa - One year ago, Congressman Steve King and members of the Republican Party shut down the federal government at an enormous cost. Their actions roiled the country as federal workers were furloughed, national parks were closed, and Social Security checks were delayed. Now, with Joni Ernst is running for Senate, and Steve King is running for re-election.

Ken Sagar, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor issued the following statement:

"It's despicable that Steve King is running for re-election to the House after he voted to shut down the government and supported the government shutdown last year.

Does he think that's a qualification for public office? Will he assume that an election victory is a vote for another government shutdown?" Rather than demonstrate responsible leadership, Steve King supported Republicans when they inflicted a serious wounds on our economy and punished federal workers and American taxpayers.

"This November, voters in Iowa have a clear opportunity to reject Steve King's style of hostage taking and elect Jim Mowrer, a responsible veteran leader and a champion of working people. This November, it's time to hold the Republican Party accountable."

If Joni Ernst is elected to the Senate, she will join King in attacking workers and our economy.

Ernst Said "We Must Stand Firm In The Fight Against" The Affordable Care Act On The First Day Of The Government Shutdown. According to a Facebook post by state Sen. Joni Ernst, Ernst said, "LIKE if you believe that on this first day of Obamacare exchange signups, we must stand firm in the fight against this damaging, job-killing legislation. #standfirm." [Sen. Joni Ernst - Facebook, 10/1/13]

The government shutdown cost our economy $24 billion. Our economy created 120,000 fewer private sector jobs. Federal workers lost 6.6 million work days while food safety inspections, small business loans, life-saving medical research, and investigations into wage violations all ceased to take place.

###

28 Aug 2014

Labor Day Events Around Iowa

By Lance Coles

Burlington: Des Moines/Henry County Labor Council - Labor Day Picnic 4 - 7 PM/  40 & 8 Park. Single $5, family $10. Tickets include : Meal, Door Prizes, Kids Games and Bounce House. 319-753-1647 .  rdrew@local150.org.

Cedar Rapids: Hawkeye Downs 4400  6th St SW. 11:30 to 1:30 PM Food Served. Door Prizes. Entertainment to 4 PM. 319-396-8461. rmoyle@hawkeyelabor.us.

Clinton: - Clinton Labor Congress will be having our annual picnic on Sunday August 31st Noon until 3pm  Eagle Point Park lodge in Clinton.   Free food  Free beverages   Kids games   Door prizes and raffles      Local, State and Federal candidates are invited. 309-788-4569. dkeefer@lu25.org

Des Moines: Parade line up 8 am at Iowa State Capitol.  Parade will run from the Iowa State Capitol to the State Fairgrounds east on Grand Ave. Post parade, gathering at the Labor Park 4640 NW Morningstar Drive. 515-265-1862.  mark@scifl.org. Grills, charcoal and water provided at park, live music from Local #75 musicians.  515=265-1862 mjark@scilf.org

Dubuque: Parade starting at 9:30 am in Downtown Dubuque. 563-599-7725, hawkeyerad@hotmail.com

Iowa City: Iowa City Fed Picnic. Upper City Park. Shelter 2. Noon to 5. 310361-3212. iowacityfed@gmail.com

Keokuk: Lee County Labor Council - 301 Blondeau St., Keokuk, IA. Parade 11 AM, Music and Kids activities in the afternoon. Food at Noon.  319-524-9861 or budfromanotherplanet@gmx.com

Lucas: John L Lewis Labor Festival. Saturday, August 30, 2014. Lucas Iowa. Parade 11 am. Breakfast 6 - 10 am. Events all day. 641-766-6421 or 641-766-6544

Mason City - North Iowa Nine: North Iowa Nine Labor Council, AFL-CIO Picnic - FREE
Georgia Hanford Park Mason City, IA 50401 11am to 3pm on Sept 1st. Barbara Oelberg 641-430-3697 boelberg@netins.net

Quad Cities: Parade in East Moline, IL. Parade starts at 11AM. 31st anniversary. East Moline along 15th Avenue.  309-738-6536 jschipp@unitedwayqc.org or  309-788-1303 quadcityfed@netexpress.net

Sioux City - Northwest Iowa Labor Council - Labor Day Activities. Noon Riverside Park. Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, pop, ice tea. Games for Children. Speakers - Jim Mowrer, Chris Hall, Monica Vernon, Dave Dawson and Jim France.  712-276-0473.  jhammx2@q.com

Waterloo: Blackhawk Union Council -September 1st at Gateway Park Cedar Falls, IA "Stronger Together" Labor Day Picnic Starts at 11:00AM and runs till 3:00PM.Union Brothers and Sisters please join us in a day of celebration of solidarity with food and fun and fellowship. For more information contact John Padget at john.padget@cvuw.org

"Today, we are celebrating the power of working people who built this country and make it run every day. Labor Day was created to honor them, but words alone don't put food on the table and gas in the tank. In Iowa and across the country, millions of working families cannot support themselves with stagnant wages and disappearing benefits in this tough economy. It's time to end the corporate and political attacks on working people and create good public policy that will raise wages and restore our faith in the American Dream," said Ken Sagar, President Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO

The Iowa AFL-CIO, along with the broader labor movement, launched a national Raising Wages campaign this year. United under the banner of Raising Wages, working people throughout the country are advocating for good public policies like an increased minimum wage, universal earned sick days and workplace fairness and collective action to create an economy of shared prosperity.

20 Aug 2014

Former Virginia Senator, Jim Webb will be guest speaker at the Iowa Federation of Labor Convention

By Lance Coles

Senator will address convention on Thursday

Des Moines, Iowa - The Iowa Federation of Labor will be holding its annual convention this week at Prairie Meadows. Hundreds of labor union officials and delegates will be in attendance, and other guests will be speaking throughout the week. The Iowa Federation of Labor was honored when Former Virginia Senator, Jim Webb agreed to address the convention this Thursday.

Jim Webb, former Senator from Virginia, has been a combat Marine, a counsel in the Congress, an assistant Secretary of the Navy, an Emmy award winning journalist, a film-maker, and the author of ten books.

What: Former Virginia Senator, Jim Webb addresses the IFL Convention

When: Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 10 am

Where: Prairie Meadows (Altoona)

Media is invited to sit in on his address to the convention. There may be time after his address for interviews outside of the convention floor.

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