Culver (D-Ia) OKs help for unions

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

By MIKE GLOVER

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Gov. Chet Culver signed an executive order Wednesday telling state agencies signing contracts for big construction projects to consider those that likely favor labor unions.

The order calls for agencies hiring contractors for projects worth $25 million or more to give preference to those spelling out workers' pay and benefits. Such contracts favor those using union labor over nonunion contractors, who aren't typically prepared to provide specifics on their worker pay and benefit packages.

"This order creates the presumption we will use project labor agreements whenever possible," said Culver, who signed the order after giving a fiery campaign-style speech at a convention of the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council in Des Moines.

Labor leaders cheered the decision.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20100203/NEWS01/702049991

---

I've heard so many here say they want a Democrat that has a pair. Here he is. Battle ground, right to work state. He gets it. I hope he will get support from D's like us. Not just jobs. Jobs that pay with benefits!

OS

At the same time he says he isn't ready to end right to work in Iowa. I'll take today's win.

Culver: I won’t repeal Right-to-Work law: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/02/03/culver-wont-repeal-iowa-right-to-work-law/

Gov. Chet Culver bolstered his ties organized labor today by signing an executive order sought by construction unions, but he quickly made it clear he won’t try to repeal Iowa’s right-to-work law.

The Democratic governor didn’t hesitate to say no when asked by reporters about he possibility of repealing right-to-work after he left the 57th annual state convention of the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.

“I don’t believe we are going to do that,” Culver said. “There are a lot of exciting things on the table at the Statehouse. It is unclear in terms of what particular steps we might take to help hard-working families, but I know that the Democratic Party is interested in fighting for those families, and making some progress in terms of helping those families out, especially during these tough economic times.”

Iowa has had a right-to-work law for more than six decades. The law means that employees who work in Iowa, except on federal property or for a railway or airline, have a right to resign from union membership and not pay union dues or fees. Twenty-one other states have right-to-work laws, mostly in southern and western states.

FULL story at link.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Yep that IS a spine

Glad to see one.

[bread_and_roses]

2. Good for him

Maybe he's not ready to take on right-to-work but it's a step, anyway.

[No Elephants]

3. K & R for labor.