On May 17, 2017, the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) issued two rulings that clarify its interpretation of the new law relating to the mandatory, permissive, and illegal subjects of collective bargaining for non-public safety public employees.
By: Attorneys Maria Brownell, Danielle Haindfield and Jim Wainwright On April 13, 2017, Governor Branstad signed Senate File 438, An Act Relating to Bidding and Contracting for Public Improvement Projects (the "Act"), into law. The new law affects notices to bidders for public improvements, bids awarded for public improvements, and...
Drake University Law School is partnering with Des Moines-area employers to establish the Law Opportunity Leadership Program. The program, which will begin in fall 2017, provides internships, mentorship, and leadership training for five qualified Drake Law students from underrepresented groups. “Drake is committed to helping students of all backgrounds succeed...
By: Attorneys Jennifer Clendenin, Nick Pellegrin and Andrew Tice Iowa has recently enacted new workers' compensation laws that will significantly change the responsibilities of employers and their carriers. These changes apply to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2017. This alert addresses several of the most significant changes, but...
By: Attorney Aaron Hilligas I. Categories of Representation: Public Safety Employee and Non-Public Safety Employee Bargaining Units The modification of Chapter 20 creates different bargaining rights for Public Safety Employee units and Non-Public Safety Employee units. Public Safety Employee bargaining units have much broader bargaining rights than Non-Public Safety Employee...
By: Attorney Ann Smisek On February 17, 2017 amendments to Chapter 20 went into effect. Any contracts that were not ratified and approved prior to that date must be re-negotiated under the newly revised Chapter 20, beginning with the presentation of initial proposals. Also, any contract negotiations that commence after...
~ Ranked #1 in Iowa (Competitive Issues) in 9 of Last 10 Years ~ As reported in the February 15, 2017 issue of the Bond Buyer’s Midwest Yearend Review, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. ranked No. 1 in Iowa for Bond Counsel: Competitive Issues for 2016, with $1,599,700,000 in total issuance....
UPCOMING SEMINAR Chapter 20 Client Workshop Collective Bargaining Law for Public Employers Wednesday, February 15, 2017 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (Registration 9:30 am) Hilton Garden Inn 205 S. 64th Street West Des Moines, IA 50266 (across from Jordan Creek Mall) General topics we plan to address: * Changes Occurring...
If 2016 was the year of the Cubs and Pokémon Go, and 2015 was the year of the Apple Watch, then 2014 was the year of MCDC, at least in the eyes of issuers and underwriters of municipal bonds. The Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation Initiative (the “MCDC Initiative”) was a...
Employers and employees nationwide received a surprise on Tuesday afternoon as many prepare to take a few days off for the Thanksgiving holiday: Judge Amos Mazzant of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ordered the Department of Labor ("DOL") not to enforce the new overtime...
