Two UE locals prevailed in “recertification” elections covering four public-sector bargaining units in October. The elections are required by the punitive anti-union law passed by Iowa Republicans in 2017. Public-sector unions are required to win votes from a majority of the bargaining unit, not just those voting — a standard that few if any politicians could meet.

The law not only requires recertification elections every two years, it also severely limits what unions can bargain over: wages are the only mandatory subject of bargaining — meaning it is the only issue that can be taken to arbitration. Arbitration awards for wages are capped at inflation, which makes it essentially impossible for workers to get ahead.

Although the law was designed to destroy public-sector unions entirely, UE Locals 893 and 896-COGS have now prevailed in five recertification elections in a row. Local 896 represents approximately 1,500 graduate workers at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Local 893 is an amalgamated local with state, county, and school district workers in multiple bargaining units. The three bargaining units recertified this year cover 2,000 state social workers and 400 state scientists, both in statewide bargaining units, and the Winneshiek County road crew in the northeast part of the state.