Talks halted with Iowa union

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DES MOINES (AP) — Iowa is no longer negotiating with one state employees union about concessions to avoid layoffs, aides to Gov. Chet Culver said Monday.

Culver spokeswoman Erin Seidler said talks had been halted with Iowa United Professionals, one of the state’s three unions. The union represents about 2,700 workers, most of whom are social workers in the Department of Human Services.

Seidler said negotiations were continuing with the State Police Officers Council, or SPOC, which represents about 600 state troopers and other officers.

Leaders of the largest state workers union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, have already agreed to cuts in pay and benefits. Those concessions still need approval by the rank and file.

A telephone message left with Iowa United Professionals spokesman Greg Cross was not immediately returned.

“We’re still talking to SPOC,” Seidler said. “It is our intention to have a decision reached on SPOC and AFSCME before Thanksgiving.”

A decision on the number of layoffs needed to bail out the state’s budget is expected by Dec. 1, Culver spokesman Troy Price said. Even if the unions agree to concessions, all sides have conceded that some layoffs are unavoidable.

AFSCME, which represents 20,000 Iowa workers, will vote Thursday through Nov. 25 on the concessions.

About 9,000 dues-paying members are eligible to vote. They will consider a plan designed to reduce layoffs by having workers take five unpaid furlough days and letting the state suspend contributions to workers’ deferred compensation program — a system for government employees similar to private pension programs such as a 401(k).

http://www.omaha.com/article/20091116/NEWS01/711179950/-1/2