Culver won't rule out new union talks
Posted: Saturday, January 10, 2009
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver would not rule out the possibility of reopening talks with the state’s largest employee union on its existing contract in the face of state budget woes.
In an interview with Lee Enterprises, Culver said he had not approached officials with the American Federation of Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 61 about renegotiating the current contract that is in effect through June.
He said the situation might change when officials get a look at state monetary receipts in January.
"We have not at this point, and I don’t know if we’re going to have to discuss that, the existing contract, to be really honest," Culver said. "This is a very fluid situation, in terms of our economy, and so it’s kind of day-to-day to be honest with you. But that has not been something that we’ve felt we’ve had to do at this point."
In 2001, then-Gov. Tom Vilsack and AFSCME reopened contract talks in the face of a state budget crisis. The union ultimately agreed to delay pay raises for four months to save the state money and try to avoid layoffs.
Culver pointed out that only five months remain on the current contract. He said AFSCME officials should be commended for working with state department directors to try to find cost savings.
State officials are more focused on renegotiating the new contract with AFSCME Council 61 that takes effect July 1, Culver said.
The union, which offered its proposal in November, has asked for 5 percent annual raises over each of the next two years. State negotiators countered with an offer to freeze base wages over the next two fiscal years.
Culver would not comment on the first offer by AFSCME officials or pending negotiations.
"I'm confident that we will come to an agreement, and that there will be an understanding of the economic realities that we’re dealing with, but how long it takes and what it ultimately looks like I can’t tell you, and I don’t think I should comment on that," Culver said.
Danny Homan, president of AFSCME Council 61, declined to shed much light on the talks.
"I gave a 5 percent proposal in November, and in November they gave me a 0 (percent proposal)," Homan said. "We’ll settle somewhere between zero and five."
Culver said he didn’t want to speculate on whether a more expensive contract might mean layoffs of state workers.
"I don’t think anyone wants more layoffs, including AFSCME, so hopefully we won’t put ourselves in that position," Culver said.
In an interview with Lee Enterprises, Culver said he had not approached officials with the American Federation of Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 61 about renegotiating the current contract that is in effect through June.
He said the situation might change when officials get a look at state monetary receipts in January.
"We have not at this point, and I don’t know if we’re going to have to discuss that, the existing contract, to be really honest," Culver said. "This is a very fluid situation, in terms of our economy, and so it’s kind of day-to-day to be honest with you. But that has not been something that we’ve felt we’ve had to do at this point."
In 2001, then-Gov. Tom Vilsack and AFSCME reopened contract talks in the face of a state budget crisis. The union ultimately agreed to delay pay raises for four months to save the state money and try to avoid layoffs.
Culver pointed out that only five months remain on the current contract. He said AFSCME officials should be commended for working with state department directors to try to find cost savings.
State officials are more focused on renegotiating the new contract with AFSCME Council 61 that takes effect July 1, Culver said.
The union, which offered its proposal in November, has asked for 5 percent annual raises over each of the next two years. State negotiators countered with an offer to freeze base wages over the next two fiscal years.
Culver would not comment on the first offer by AFSCME officials or pending negotiations.
"I'm confident that we will come to an agreement, and that there will be an understanding of the economic realities that we’re dealing with, but how long it takes and what it ultimately looks like I can’t tell you, and I don’t think I should comment on that," Culver said.
Danny Homan, president of AFSCME Council 61, declined to shed much light on the talks.
"I gave a 5 percent proposal in November, and in November they gave me a 0 (percent proposal)," Homan said. "We’ll settle somewhere between zero and five."
Culver said he didn’t want to speculate on whether a more expensive contract might mean layoffs of state workers.
"I don’t think anyone wants more layoffs, including AFSCME, so hopefully we won’t put ourselves in that position," Culver said.
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