Labor union officials and Democratic representatives convened on Friday at the IBEW Local 405 headquarters in Cedar Rapids to call upon the Iowa Legislature reinstate an additional 10 weeks of unemployment benefits that were eliminated by legislators in 2022. The call occurs merely days following Whirlpool Corporation's announcement. biggest series of job cuts in the state so far this year.
The firm is eliminating 651 positions at its facility in Amana starting from June 1st due to reduced demand for cooling appliances. This move comes after several rounds of layoffs within Iowa’s manufacturing industry, where approximately 7,600 jobs have been shed over the last twelve months, as stated in the February report released by Iowa Workforce Development.
This past week, in Iowa—specifically in Decorah, Dubuque, and Amana—940 individuals lost their jobs through no fault of their own," stated Rick Moyle, executive director of the Hawkeye Area Labor Council, at Friday’s press briefing. "In 2022, alterations were made to the state’s unemployment legislation. This resulted in a reduction of ten weeks from the benefits period; rather than receiving up to 26 weeks, claimants can now only receive up to 16.
Moyle confronted House Speaker Pat Grassley after he made comments recently. he sees no need To review the legislation from 2022, which reduced unemployment assistance and sped up the timeframe for employees to accept lesser-paid positions before exhausting their benefits.
So I ask, why not?" Moyle stated. "Mr. Grassley, there’s no need for alterations? There’s no need for alterations?
Among those impacted is Todd Weddell, who worked for 36 years at Whirlpool prior to his role as a business agent for the Machinists Union advocating for employees at the Amana plant. According to Weddell, these job cuts have implications far beyond just economic factors.
The 650 individuals we discuss are those whom I've collaborated with and personally know," Weddell stated. "These are part of our local community; they're our neighbors and friends, and currently, they feel anxious." He continued, "Their main worries revolve around receiving their benefits—how soon will these be accessible, when can they expect their initial payment?" Furthermore, he noted, "An additional ten weeks of unemployment support provides them extra time to secure new employment.
Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner likewise condemned the Republican majority's position that the present system is adequate.
I respectfully differ from Speaker Grassley," she stated. "This action is an insult to all those workers.
Perhaps some of them will secure employment — a well-paying, respectable job that provides for their family — within 16 weeks," Weiner stated. "Or perhaps not.
Democratic legislators have put forward bills aimed at overturning the 2022 policy and reinstating the 26-week unemployment benefit period that most U.S. states provide. However, these efforts face obstacles as Republicans maintain control of both legislative chambers, causing the proposals to be held up.
Rep. Elizabeth Wilson, representing portions of Marion and Cedar Rapids, stated that the state is not adequately addressing the current situation.
"We currently have an excess of unemployment benefits stored up like a war chest, but instead of using these funds where they're needed most right now, we plan to reduce them for corporations and businesses," Wilson stated.
She emphasized that the difference between 26 and 16 weeks goes beyond being merely a numerical value.
"Could you envision having had 26 weeks initially to secure a suitable job that could provide for both yourself and your family with decent benefits? Now, this period has been reduced from 26 weeks to just 16—only 10 weeks—to find another equally good job?" Wilson asked.
The Hawkeye Area Labor Council indicates that the press conference held in Cedar Rapids marked only the start. Further public gatherings scheduled for this month will encompass commemorations of " Workers Memorial Day" across four different cities.
- Iowa City: On Monday, April 28, at noon, visit the Iowa City Public Library located at 123 S Linn St.
- Waterloo: On Monday, April 28, at 5:30 PM, at the Waterloo Labor Temple located at 1695 Burton Avenue.
- Cedar Rapids: On Monday, April 28, at 5:30 PM, visit the IBEW 405 Hall located at 1211 Wiley Blvd S.W.
- Thursday, April 24th at 5:30 PM at the Mason City Labor Temple located at 124 West State Street in Mason City.
LINKED: In the small town of Amana, 651 job cuts challenge Iowa's unemployment regulations.
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