2018 political plan

Let’s keep the focus on issues The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO has, for many cycles, been attempting to get folks to focus on issues. This cycle, our focus will be on the key working family issues: Jobs Health Care Education Retirement

Issue - jobs Regardless of what sector you work in, the issue of jobs resonates with your fellow union members, friends, family and neighbors. Our message can be tailored to talk about Jobs with family supporting wages Attacking economic development expenditures that do not take wages into account Supporting the increase and indexing of minimum wage Supporting Davis Bacon to protect local wage base Explaining why the attack on public sector wages is an attack on Main Street Supporting use of Project Labor Agreements

Issue – Education Regardless of where you live, the issue of education resonates with your fellow union members, friends, family and neighbors. Our message can talk about Investing in our children Economic Development Global leadership through innovation and development Student loan issues Inability to attract and retain quality educators Negative impact on rural communities and their schools

Issue – health care Our message can speak to Regardless of who you are, the issue of health care impacts your fellow union members, friends, family and neighbors. Our message can speak to The Governor’s Medicaid privatization disaster The lack of health care insurers in system The inequity of the Cadillac tax on quality health care plans Attacks on Medicare/Medicaid The impact of low and late reimbursements on providers in rural Iowa Inability to negotiate lower Rx costs Too many folks priced out of the individual health care market

Issue – retirement Our message can be tailored to talk about Regardless of who you are, the issue of retirement will impact you and your fellow union members, friends, family and neighbors. Our message can be tailored to talk about Retirement with dignity as thousands of boomers turn 65 every day and will for many years Too many Americans have no personal savings for retirement and no pensions Social Security under attack Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) is being scrutinized by Reason Foundation and Americans for Prosperity The efforts of the Iowa Coalition for Retirement Security to educate our members

Key coalition partners The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO will continue to strengthen and grow our list of coalition partners. While the focus will be to develop long term relationships with the various groups, we will work on issues that are of mutual interest in the coming election. The Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans is an AFL-CIO constituency group that is integrally involved in our efforts and provides the basis for an activist senior effort. Although they do not get support from the national entity, our seniors are working hard to build lists and make connections throughout the senior labor community. They have worked to take control of the Older Iowa Legislature, a group that drafts suggested legislative proposals regarding senior issues for the Iowa Legislature.

Key coalition partners Working America will soon be canvassing the 1st Congressional District. They plan to work from Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque and Marshalltown, as well as smaller communities to knock on 58,000 doors to recruit members. This will lead to later electoral contacts trying to sway voters to support candidates who support working family issues in that area. The newly formed Iowa Coalition for Retirement Security, funded by local union dollars and an NPPC grant, are working to generate public interest and support for Iowa’s public retirement system that pays nearly $2 billion dollars into the Iowa economy annually. Iowa Citizens Action Network is a partner in many activities. They also drive lowa’s version of the Main Street Alliance and provide a connection between workers and small business owners who typically have more in common than they know. Several of the small business folks act as trusted messengers providing LTE and op-ed pieces on important issues.

Key coalition partners The Interfaith Alliance is a group of religious leaders across Iowa who work with us on many social issues. The Moral Monday events at the capitol are educational efforts aimed at raising awareness on critical issues on which we believe legislators should work. We have a strong working relationship with the NEA affiliate in Iowa, the Iowa State Education Association. Together we work on a variety of issues that are important to working families. From public education funding to worker rights, our partnership is strong. ISEA President Tammy Wawro is the current chair of the Iowa Democratic Party labor caucus and is a strong ally. Progress Iowa, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Progressive Action for the Common Good and the Asian-Latino Coalition are several additional groups we will engage in the electoral efforts. 

Key Labor Leaders Coordinating across the state through the Iowa Statewide Campaign Committee is critical. This Committee will be chaired by the President of the Iowa AFL-CIO, and will consist of the Iowa AFL-CIO Executive Board, Presidents of the four Area Labor Federations, Presidents of Local Building Trades Council, International Union Staff of affiliated unions. Regular reporting will be made to the Iowa Statewide Campaign Committee on the progress of the campaign and to ensure goals are being met.

LEADERSHIP MEETINGS Who: What: When: Includes the Statewide Steering Committee and Local Union Presidents/Business Managers What: Meetings will be held to follow the progress of the campaign and if goals are being met When: Dates, times and locations TBD. Meeting frequency will increase as the campaign progresses.

progress REPORTING The progress report will be tabulated weekly and will include, minimally: How many doors have been knocked How many door conversations have taken place Number of volunteers each week from each Local Union Canvass results Phone Bank results Progress toward reaching worksite goals Changes in targeted races