Bargaining reined, Iowa union sues

DES MOINES, Iowa — A new Iowa law that eliminates most collective-bargaining rights for public workers is unconstitutional and should be immediately blocked, according to a lawsuit filed Monday by a key union in the state.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Iowa Council 61 argues that the law violates language in the Iowa Constitution that ensures equality to citizens. The group — Iowa’s largest state employees union, representing 40,000 public employees — also asked for an injunction to halt the law’s enforcement.

On Friday, Republican Gov. Terry Branstad signed the law, which bars public-sector unions from negotiating matters such as health insurance and supplemental pay. The law is similar to a 2011 collective-bargaining law passed in Wisconsin that sparked large protests and legal challenges.

“We intend to use every legal opportunity we have to challenge the constitutionality of this law, Danny Homan, president of the union’s Iowa Council 61, said Monday.