Shop Reports,
State Budget,
State of the Union
Fill District 11 Agenda
IOWA CITY, Iowa
From a Chicago-area warehouse and State of Iowa offices,
workers brought their triumphs and concerns to the District 11 Council meeting
here June 22-24. Delegates from a wide variety of locals in Iowa, Illinois,
Wisconsin and Nebraska packed the room.
Leading the shop reports, Patrick Grant of Local 1166
shared with delegates the outcome of his new locals tough fight for a first
contract with GATX Logistics an agreement that includes a wage increases
of around $1.80 over three years, back pay increases, language limiting the
number of temporary workers, improvement in shift differential and other
improvements.
Gathered in the home of the University of Iowa and UE Local
896-COGS, delegates were treated to a pictorial review of Iowa Labor History
prepared by the Iowa Labor History project and a workshop on education
presented by Deb Herman and Mike Evces, Local 896 members.
Iowa State Senator Joe Bolcum, who offered official
greetings, briefly discussed the Iowa budget problems and stated that he
expected next years budget to be tight as well. He challenged labor to
create a more favorable attitude toward labor by publicizing the benefits of a
unionized work force and working to keep community colleges affordable. These
two things, Bolcum said, "will help to raise the average income of all
Iowans."
Dir. of Org. Bob Kingsley and Genl. Sec.-Treas. Bob
Clark reviewed the modifications to the National financial plan. Those
changes were made by the General Executive Board following a round of
discussions throughout the unions districts and locals during the spring.
Delegates participated in a spirited discussion regarding the national
finances and the modified plan.
The District 11 Council discussed and acted on 12 separate
resolutions for the UE National Convention submitted by the District 11
Executive Board and several locals. Delegates also heard political action
reports from around the district.
Local 896 hosted what was generally regarded as a wonderful
barbecue Saturday night.
UE News - 06/01
