Union negotiations jeopardize Iowa prison system

Council 61 of the American Federations of State, County and Municipal Employees represents correctional facility employees throughout Iowa. Union officials are saying that lingering staffing issues and a ban on overtime may create significant security concerns within the state's nine prisons.

According to the Quad City times, union leader Danny Hoyman has asked local politicians to convene in special legislative hearings to discuss possible solutions for long-term funding issues.

"If we do not act as a state, I am extremely worried that the public, correctional workers and working families who depend on Iowa Workforce Development are going to be hurt," Homan said in a written statement acquired by the news source. "In fact, in our correctional institutions, I believe it is only a matter of time before something serious happens."

Representatives from the governor's office said they would like to resume negotiations and reconstruct what they believe was a carelessly constructed labor deal from the previous administration. According to the Des Moines Register, recent raises in employee salaries were granted in exchange for significant budget cuts across the prison system.

Governor Terry Brandstad has already increased correctional facility funding by $25 million to prevent hundreds of layoffs, but without amendments and concessions from both sides the current system is likely untenable.

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