Iowa CAP Conference

Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack jokes with CAP delegates and Dennis Williams, now Region 4 director.

Governor Tom Vilsack highlighted an event-filled week in Des Moines for Iowa CAP delegates in March. In his remarks, Vilsack talked about the disappointing performance of this year’s legislature.

While the governor’s agenda included raising Iowa’s minimum wage, strengthening worker’s compensation compliance rules, and several other worker-related issues.

The Republican-controlled legislature concentrated on a bill to promote Iowa as a right-to-work state. In vetoing this bill, the governor said, “I am profoundly disappointed that the legislature has chosen to invest valuable state resources to draft, debate and pass this bill. It’s the same as hanging out a ’cheap wages’ sign at our borders.” Currently, Iowa ranks 38th in the nation in wages, but apparently that isn’t low enough for many in our state capitol.

During their time lobbying at the Capitol, delegates made it clear to state legislators that they should be working on real issues that affect Iowa working families instead of bragging about our low average wage.

Labor Commissioner Byron Orton presented a slide show on the new ergonomics standard, which President Bush had just abolished. Many of the delegates expressed total disgust for the Bush administration after hearing what might have been the law of the land in reducing injuries in our workplaces.

Joe Jungaward of the Iowa Health Department explained a new prescription drug co-operation program that is being developed with a million dollar grant obtained with the help of Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). Once operational, drugs may be purchased at discounts of up to 30 percent.

Chris Johnson
Local 997

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