Iowa labor rally draws 500

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110222/NEWS01/702229878#iowa-labor-rally-draws-500

Published Tuesday February 22, 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than 500 union activists rallied Tuesday on the steps of the Iowa Statehouse demanding that lawmakers halt what they see as an assault on middle-class workers.

The rally was scheduled to show support for public workers in Wisconsin locked in a battle with that state's governor over bargaining rights, but activists warned there are problems far closer to home.

“This is not an assault on public workers,” said Ken Sagar, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor. “This is an assault on the middle class.”

The rally came as a measure trimming collective bargaining rights for public workers is moving through the Iowa House. A smaller counter-protest drew about 100 people.

Rep. Lance Horbach, R-Tama, who heads the House Labor Committee, said that panel could approve the collective bargaining changes as early as Thursday, and he described the proposal as far more modest than what's being pushed in Wisconsin.

FULL story at link.