Proposed Iowa Public Employees Contract Gives State more Control over Insurance

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A contract Iowa has proposed for its largest public employees union includes no wage increase and removes health insurance provisions, a sign that changes could be on the horizon for collective bargaining laws when the new Republican-majority Legislature returns next year.

The contract released by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services to the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Iowa Council 61 adds language that would give the state more control in determining health benefits. A proposal by the union to increase wages between 2017 and 2019 was taken out.

Iowa Council 61 represents public employees including correctional officers, firefighters, mental health workers and emergency responders. The contract in question would cover workers in fields that include community-based corrections, education, patient care and security, among others.

The announcement comes days after DAS proposed removing health insurance provisions in its contract with the State Police Officers Council, which represents a range of law enforcement officers.

Danny Homan, Iowa Council 61 president, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the state’s proposal following the contract negotiations with the council.

“Shortchanging our public employees in anticipation of what the legislature might do is premature,” he said in a statement.

Republicans will control both the House and Senate for the first time in years when they come back for the legislative session that begins in January. Gov. Terry Branstad has expressed support for changes to how public workers pay for health care.

His spokesman, Ben Hammes, described it in an email as “a more patient-centered way that is financially sustainable for the Iowa taxpayers.” No formal plans have been released.