#Charlie Wishman

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Labor advocates on Tuesday decried a business-backed bill introduced by Republican state lawmakers in Iowa that would roll back child labor laws so that teens as young as 14 could work in previously prohibited jobs including mining, logging, and animal slaughtering—a proposal one union president called dangerous and "just crazy."

Senate File 167, introduced by state Sen. Jason Schultz (R-6) would expand job options available to teens—including letting children as young as 14 work in freezers and meat coolers and loading and unloading light tools, under certain conditions.

Teens under 18 would still be generally barred from employment in fields including mining, logging, demolition, and meatpacking, and from operating potentially dangerous machinery and equipment including circular saws, guillotine shears, and punching machines.

However, the Des Moines Register reports the proposed law contains "an entirely new section" that "would allow the Iowa Workforce Development and state Department of Education heads to make exceptions to any of the prohibited jobs for teens 14-17 'participating in work-based learning or a school or employer-administered, work-related program.'"

The proposed bill—which comes amid an ongoing labor shortage in Iowa—also expands the hours teens may work, and shields businesses from liability if a minor employee is sickened, injured, or killed as a result of a company's negligence.

"This is just crazy," Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, told the Des Moines Register. "A kid can still lose an arm in a work-based learning program."

Wishman said the bill will gut more than a century of child labor protections, many of which were enacted in an era when "children were hurt and killed" on the job.

"The idea of putting children into work activities that could be dangerous is something that is not only irresponsible but reprehensible," Wishman added.

Iowa state Sen. Claire Celsi (D-16) called the proposed legislation "another sign that the labor market in Iowa is in big trouble."

"Businesses are so desperate to hire warm bodies that they want politicians to bend child labor laws (and eliminate corporate liability)," she wrote on Twitter.

State Sen. Nate Boulton (D-20), an attorney specializing in labor law, described the bill as "offensive."

"Putting children at risk, and creating immunity for that risk, is not acceptable," he told Iowa Starting Line.

As in other states, child labor violations are not uncommon in Iowa, with immigrant minors particularly susceptible to exploitation.

"These efforts to roll back child labor laws overlap with the conservative changes to school curriculum," tweeted education podcaster and author Jennifer Berkshire. "The through line is an effort to teach kids that free enterprise rules and that the boss is king."

"Instead of raising the minimum wage and paying adults more or funding a social safety net, Iowa would rather bring back child labor," author Lyz Lenz tweeted.

[thebiscuiteternal]

‘It’s just crazy’: Republicans attack US child labor laws as violations rise | Iowa | The Guardian

Amid these increases in child labor violations, legislative efforts have been introduced in several states to roll back child labor protections.

In Iowa, Republican legislators introduced a bill in January to expand the types of work 14- and 15-year-olds would be permitted to do as part of approved training programs, extend allowable work hours, and exempt employers from liability if these young workers are sickened, injured or killed on the job.

“It’s just crazy to me that we are re-litigating a lot of things that seem to have been settled 100, 120 or 140 years ago,” said Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa AFL-CIO, which is opposing the bill.

Wishman added: “All of these protections have been put in place for a reason. Child labor law is there to make sure that kids are working in age-appropriate work activities or occupations that are appropriate for their age. We think this is a rewrite of our child labor laws in Iowa that are going way, way, way too far and has the potential to put kids in dangerous situations.”

The bill would permit the director of Iowa workforce development or the Iowa department of education to grant exceptions from any provision that restricts the types of jobs 14- and 15-year-olds can do if the work is classified as part of a work-based learning program and also strips workers’ compensation rights for these workers.

The protections being sought for companies are of particular concern to labor activists.

“In the Iowa legislation, one of the provisions is to exempt employers from civil liability due to the company’s negligence. It is astounding that they would have the gall to knowingly acknowledge that more young people will be harmed, but focus on exempting businesses,” said Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.

Goldstein-Gelb explained that throughout her career she has worked with families and co-workers of young workers who have died on the job, oftentimes in violation of child labor laws that industry groups have fought to repeal, such as in a case where a 16-year-old in Massachusetts was killed in 2000 while operating a golf cart on the job.

Young workers have much higher rates of non-fatal injuries on the job and the highest rates of injuries that require emergency department attention, Goldstein-Gelb noted. She argued that due to the vulnerability and inexperience of young workers, data on these workers is likely an undercount due to fears or barriers in being able to speak up and report dangerous situations or child labor law violations.

“I think there is this myth that you need to put young people in any possible job because there are openings. I think we are moving into a new age where we need to recognize that workers of all ages are seeking to earn a sustainable living and not put themselves in harm’s way,” added Goldstein-Gelb. “That’s why there are workers taking actions around the country and that needs to be supported rather than just saying we’re going to find people who have no alternative, the most vulnerable, and put them in jobs that are completely inappropriate.”

[iowafed]

“Every parent’s worst nightmare”:

Charlie Wishman, President, Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO “Every parent’s worst nightmare”: Analysis of amended child labor bill passed by Iowa Senate shows intent to allow new forms of hazardous child labor while shielding employers from liability or penalties for violations The Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, today released the following statement from President Charlie Wishman, along…

[msclaritea]

MINNEAPOLIS -- "Federal investigators say they have uncovered underage kids working dangerous jobs at Minnesota meat-packing plants.

The Labor Department went to court to stop what it calls "oppressive child labor" violations.

Investigators say they found more than 30 teenagers working overnight shifts. Their jobs included cleaning dangerous equipment.

One 13-year-old suffered chemical burns.

The kids all worked for a sanitation company in Minnesota and Nebraska.

There are strict laws about what jobs and which hours children can work."

"Labor advocates on Tuesday decried a business-backed bill introduced by Republican state lawmakers in Iowa that would roll back child labor laws so that teens as young as 14 could work in previously prohibited jobs including mining, logging, and animal slaughtering—a proposal one union president called dangerous and "just crazy."

Senate File 167, introduced by state Sen. Jason Schultz (R-6) would expand job options available to teens—including letting children as young as 14 work in freezers and meat coolers and loading and unloading light tools, under certain conditions.

Teens under 18 would still be generally barred from employment in fields including mining, logging, demolition, and meatpacking, and from operating potentially dangerous machinery and equipment including circular saws, guillotine shears, and punching machines.

However, the Des Moines Registerreports the proposed law contains "an entirely new section" that "would allow the Iowa Workforce Development and state Department of Education heads to make exceptions to any of the prohibited jobs for teens 14-17 'participating in work-based learning or a school or employer-administered, work-related program.'"The proposed bill—which comes amid an ongoing labor shortage in Iowa—also expands the hours teens may work, and shields businesses from liability if a minor employee is sickened, injured, or killed as a result of a company's negligence.

"This is just crazy," Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, told the Des Moines Register. "A kid can still lose an arm in a work-based learning program."

Wishman said the bill will gut more than a century of child labor protections, many of which were enacted in an era when "children were hurt and killed" on the job."

That's right. The Labor Department under President Joe Biden uncovered businesses in Minnesota using child labor and now the Republicans in several states are trying to push local Child Labor bills JUST SO THEY CAN GET OUT OF RAISING WAGES! PEOPLE ARE SICK OF WORKING FOR THEIR SLAVE WAGES.

Stop letting the hard right and left keep distracting you with their astroturfed culture wars. Both groups are deliberately covering for corporations trying to take full advantage of all Americans, and that goes for Silicon Valley, too. They also want cheaper labor.

This is an even more important reason for moving the presidential election kickoff out of Iowa. It's s disgrace how little the education and safety of children matter in that state.

[orbemnews]

Some unemployed workers facing discrepancy of jobs available, wages and skills CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowans on unemployment will lose federal pandemic-related benefits in less than three weeks. About two weeks ago, Governor Kim Reynolds announced the state will end its participation in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs by June 12. Governor Reynolds said the decision to opt-out of the federal benefits will add workers to the state’s severe workforce shortage. But, some workers are facing a discrepancy between the skills they have and the wages employers are offering. That’s the situation for Gene Hoffpauir, who worked at the long-term care facility in Marion. She said she made around $25 an hour, but hasn’t worked at her facility since the August Derecho. The derecho damaged the facility and it’s currently closed for repairs. Hoffpauir said she’s making less on unemployment But, is scared taking another nursing job would pay her less than her salary before the pandemic. “I’m going to have to take a pay cut,” Hoffpauir said. “Because every facility will start you at the bottom of your pay scale. That’s just how it is.” But, she might have to take one of those jobs. Her federal pandemic benefits disappear next month. One of those benefits, the federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, allowed her to continue getting unemployment after 26 weeks. Charlie Wishman, who is currently the President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, said they’re seeing workers with more skills than the jobs that are available. “There are a lot of people out there who have lost their job through the pandemic that have a much higher skill level than the jobs they are being asked to go back and do,” he said. TV9 talked with another person on Monday who would also lose her benefits. Melody Meritt had COVID-19 about eight months ago. But, she’s still dealing with several different health conditions since having COVID-19. Those health conditions, which are also keeping her out of the workforce, include restrictive lung disease and pulmonary air trapping. Those Federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits also allow people, like Meritt, to collect unemployment. Normally, people can’t get unemployment benefits if they are dealing with symptoms of COVID-19. These federal benefits allow people sick with COVID-19 to get unemployment along with an added $300. Gov. Kim Reynolds said these benefits are also discouraging people from returning to work. “But now that our businesses and schools have reopened, these payments are discouraging people from returning to work,” Reynolds said. “Our unemployment rate is at 3.7 percent, vaccines are available to anyone who wants one, and we have more jobs available than unemployed people.” Employers have also cited the extra $300 in unemployment as a reason many people aren’t looking for jobs. “The overwhelming message we receive from employers these days is the lack of workforce that is adversely affecting their ability to recover from the pandemic,” said Director Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development. State Democrats criticized the decision to end the extra relief benefits and other efforts to provide economic relief from the pandemic. But Republicans, like Rep. Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford), said the problems are much broader than the amount of money thrown at a problem. “I think everybody wants to focus this just around how many dollars did you just throw at that and I would say it’s a much broader conversation,” he said. Copyright 2021 KCRG. All rights reserved. Source link Orbem News #Back #CharlieWishman #Department #discrepancy #Do #Facing #GeneHoffpauir #Governor #GovernorReynolds #Iowa #IowaUnemployment #Iowans #jobs #Kim #level #MelodyMeritt #ofLabor #Pandemic #PresidentoftheIowaFederationofLabor #Reynolds #Skill #skills #Unemployed #Unemployment #unemploymentinsurance #Wages #Workers

[iowafed]

The Child Labor Laws - A Problematic Solution with Charlie Wishman

There are two Child Labor Bills working their way through the Iowa Legislature that should have the attention of every parent and grandparent in the state. While we do not engage in political conversation we do concentrate on business stories and this truly is one. Here Charlie Wishman the President of the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL/CIO visits with us about the danger that could impact children…

[iowafed]

Iowa Parents and Workers to Legislature: “Our Kids Are Not for Sale

Contact: Charlie Wishman, 515 664 5197  charlie@iowaaflciio.org Iowa Parents and Workers to Legislature: “Our Kids Are Not for Sale”  Union members to protest child labor bill Saturday Parents and union workers from across Iowa will gather across Iowa to protest Iowa lawmakers’ recent shocking proposals to roll back state child labor laws.  What: Our Kids Are Not for Sale: Rally and Press…

[iowafed]

'Our kids are not for sale': Union workers protest loosening of Iowa child labor laws

Bills turn to teens to help address worker shortages DES MOINES — Union workers from across Iowa gathered Monday at the State Capitol to protest proposals making their way through the Legislature loosening state child labor laws. “We are drawing a line in the sand now,” said Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor. “Our kids are not for sale. We are not — we are not selling…

[iowafed]

IFL President Charlie Wishman addressing clean energy

IFL President Charlie Wishman addressing clean energy

[iowafed]

Report: IA Has Strength in Green Jobs, Could Be Stronger

Report: IA Has Strength in Green Jobs, Could Be Stronger

By Laura Aka for Working Nation.Broadcast version by Mike Moen reporting for the Iowa News Service Working Nation-Public News Service Collaboration “Climate change isn’t going away,” says Charlie Wishman, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. Throughout the Hawkeye State, stakeholders including those in labor, green organizations, government, education, and agriculture are…

[iowafed]

BIDEN BOOM CONTINUES: U.S. unemployment rate stays near historic low

BIDEN BOOM CONTINUES: U.S. unemployment rate stays near historic low

Des Moines, Iowa — Thanks to Biden Administration policies, the U.S. economy added 428,000 jobs in the month of April, keeping the unemployment rate at a near historic low of 3.6%. “Today’s report once again proves that President Biden’s policies are working,” said Charlie Wishman, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. “His American Rescue Plan money went straight to working…

[iowafed]

USW 105 Rally

USW Local 105 (Bettendorf) is currently in contract negotiations with Arconic. They have spoken loudly! They don’t care about hourly and salary employees, retirees and current employees or the community.

USW 105 could be on strike soon. Please support them in what ever way you can.

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Video 4 Charlie Wishman Interviews

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[iowafed]

Legislative Year in Review

Legislative Year in Review

By Charlie Wishman, Secretary Treasurer Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO

The 2019 Legislative session finally wrapped up on Saturday, April 27th.  While it was overall not a good session for workers, a few positive things happened this year too.

First off, some very good news.  We successfully fought off every attack on the unemployment insurance system this year.  Much of the focus of the…

[iowafed]

Legislative Update – Funnel Week Edition

Legislative Update – Funnel Week Edition

Charlie Wishman, Secretary/Treasurer Iowa Federation of Labor

This week marks the end of the first part of the legislative session, which is called “funnel week.”  What this means is that (with the exception of certain types of bills, such as tax and spending ones) a bill must be passed by a committee to still be eligible to continue.

The Good

There were several bills that we supported that…

[iowafed]

Iowa stands at a crossroads in its history

Iowa stands at a crossroads in its history

Charlie Wishman, Secretary/Treasurer Iowa Federation of Labor

Iowa stands at a crossroads in its history.  It is not the first time this state has done so, and this state has more or less through the years taken the road of progress.  Over the last two years, our state government has embarked on an experiment of far-right corporate rule.  The Governor, as well as the leaders of the Iowa House and…