Culver regrets failure of labor legislation

Posted: April 29, 2009

By Thomas Beaumont, The Des Moines Register, April 28, 2009

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said Monday he was disappointed that the Legislature did not pass legislation expanding labor unions' reach before adjourning for the year on Sunday.

Culver, a Democrat, said he would work before the 2010 session with business groups who opposed several pieces of labor legislation and buttonhole members of his own party's majority who kept any from passing.

"I hope we can get more consensus during the interim for things, whether it's prevailing wage or collective bargaining," the governor told reporters after attending an economic forum in Grimes.

"But I think we clearly need to have more discussions with the special interest groups and with some key legislators so we can work to get the votes necessary for passage."

Culver sparked anger from labor unions last year after he vetoed a bill to expand the subjects public employees could include in collective bargaining negotiations.

This year, he was on board with a collective bargaining bill and one that would have established wage standards for public works projects.

Lawmakers and union leaders had also hoped for approval of legislation allowing unions to bargain for the right to charge a fee to nonunion workers covered by union contracts. The issue prompted an advertising battle between unions and business groups in February.

The Legislature adjourned Sunday after marathon weekend debates that lasted until dawn.

Last year, poor communication between Culver and the Democratic leadership soured final budget talks during the session. Culver's veto of the collective bargaining bill further damaged goodwill among the Democrats.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy complained in the closing days of this year's session that Culver's office had been hard to reach.

But Culver said he was "very pleased overall" with the Legislature's work, attributing it to better communication than last year.

"I feel really good about the communication this legislative session between my office and the Legislature. So, I don't think there will be any big surprises that end up on my desk," he said.

Culver has 30 days from Sunday to act on passed legislation.