A Linn County woman representing workers at airport eateries throughout Iowa has filed a potential class action lawsuit against her employer alleging violations of state and federal wage-and-hour laws. Tara Hill is suing SSP America CID, a limited liability corporation that does business in Iowa as part of SSP America Inc., the American division of […]
Labor
Posted inStatewide
Historians, unions and legislators fight against the clock to save the Centennial Building and its archive
The sign on the door of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s Centennial Building, where the society’s Iowa City research facility has been located since 1956, let visitors on Wednesday know there were only a few days left to access its remarkable archival collections or even the building itself. The Centennial Building has been open […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The Center for Worker Justice announces it is closing permanently
The Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa (CWJ) announced on Wednesday afternoon it is shutting down. “After 13 years of uniting low-wage immigrant workers to promote social and economic justice regarding workers’ rights, housing, and immigration laws, all with the support of allies in faith communities, unions, and community volunteers, we have made the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
COGS asks for a 25% raise for UI grad student workers; Board of Regents offers 3%
“The university works because we work,” members of COGS chanted as they rallied outside the Iowa Memorial Union on Thursday. The Campaign to Organize Graduate Students, to use the union’s full name, represents the graduate student workers at the University of Iowa. Members teach most of the general education courses UI offers to undergraduates. On […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Starbucks Workers United, who find themselves at the center of a corporate lawsuit, protest unfair labor practices on ‘Red Cup Day’
Abi Scheppmann remembers the first Red Cup Day she worked at a Starbucks six years ago. “It was crazy,” she said. Red Cup Day is one of Starbucks’ biggest annual events. The company gives out free reusable plastic red cups to customers, if they buy a holiday-themed beverage. The cups feature that year’s holiday season […]
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, Iowa’s only worker-owned cafe, keeps Ames fresh and focused
“Take your time, let me know if I can help with some recommendations.” The barista with the circle-rimmed glasses and well-trimmed mustache who greets me at Morning Bell Coffee Roasters (111 Main St Suite 101, Ames) seems to clock my coffee novice immediately. Still, they’re patient and accommodating, which I appreciate more than they’ll ever […]
Posted inCommunity/News
En Español: UI Law Prof. César Rosado Marzán on the biggest challenges facing Iowa workers
Conocer tus derechos laborales Con los intentos recientes en Iowa y otros estados vecinos para debilitar protecciones existentes para trabajadores, decidí a consultar a una autoridad en la ley laboral en Iowa. Hablé recientemente con César Rosado Marzán, el Edward L. Carmody Profesor de la Ley en la Universidad de Iowa, y le pregunté a […]
Posted inLetters
Letter to the editor: The stage is being set for a worker-centered arts scene
By Jennifer Sherer President, Iowa City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO For music fans and literature lovers flocking to Iowa City’s Englert Theatre during this year’s Mission Creek Festival, there’s a new reason to celebrate the historic, beloved Englert’s role in sustaining a vibrant, community-supported music and performance scene. Englert production technicians and stagehands who work […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
Photo Gallery: Iowans rally for fair contract from Bridgestone-Firestone
On Thursday, approximately 250 people, members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 310 and their supporters, marched over NW 2nd Street in a show of solidarity as the union engaged in contract negotiations with Bridgestone-Firestone. Local 310 represents almost 900 workers at the Des Moines Bridgestone-Firestone plant, which manufactures tires for agricultural equipment. The union’s existing […]
Posted inCommunity/News
John Deere strike ends as UAW members approve new contract
UAW members voted to accept the latest contract offer from Deere & Company on Wednesday night, ending the strike that began on Oct. 14. By the start of the third shift on Wednesday night, workers had returned to the company’s production facilities. “Members and their families put a lot on the line for these gains […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa Poll shows strong support for striking John Deere workers, as union members prepare to vote on new contract proposal
Iowans strongly support the workers over the company in the ongoing strike of UAW workers against Deere & Company, according to a new Iowa Poll. The poll published by Des Moines Register on Monday found 58 percent of respondents “side mostly” with the workers, while only 16 percent said they sided with the company. Seven […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Deere’s second contract proposal rejected by union members, ‘pickets will continue’
Striking UAW members voted on Tuesday to reject a revised contract offer from Deere & Company. “The strike against John Deere and Company will continue as we discuss next steps with the company,” according to a statement from the union following the vote. “Pickets will continue and any updates will be provided through the local […]
