Workers at Urbandale School District, members of UE Local 893-16, negotiated a new one-year contract which provides a 25 cent raise, step increases, and a five cent increase on longevity pay.

The new contract also retains all the “permissive” language in their contract. Following the 2017 anti-union law passed by the Republican state legislature, public-sector employers in Iowa can refuse to bargain over anything except base wages (and arbitration awards on base wages are limited to the current inflation rate). In that context, simply maintaining the right to have a real union contract is a significant victory.

The contract was negotiated by Sublocal President Rich Pearson and Vice President Jeremy McBride. They were assisted by Field Organizer Jennifer Marsh.