Culver to address collective bargaining bill today

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By Dan Gearino | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 4:57 PM CDT | () comments

DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver has scheduled a 4 p.m. news conference where he is expected to make an announcement about a controversial bill dealing with collective bargaining for public employee unions.

Culver has not yet said whether he plans to sign or veto the bill, which passed the Legislature in March after a week of acrimonious debate.

The measure would expand the scope of topics that can be part of contract negotiations for public-employee unions. Unions could insist that the negotiations include items like uniforms, class sizes or other conditions of employment. Under current law, public employers can insist that negotiations only cover salary or benefits.

Union officials say the bill is a minor change that has worked in the 27 other states where similar rules are in place. Public employers — such as school districts and city governments — say the bill is a major change that would lead to big increases in labor costs.

Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net