This evening at 6:00 CST there will be a discussion in Des Moines of House File 525, the changes proposed to Iowa's Public Employees collective bargaining law. While the major points are summarized here, the Iowa changes to collective bargaining include the novel concept of a public employee "free agent".
Iowa House File 525 includes a new section that defines a "bargaining unit" as those employees who have not declared themselves to be a "free agent". From the text of the House File:
“Free agent employee” means a public employee who has signed a release declaring that the employee rejects representation by an employee organization and that the employee understands that signing the release waives any claim or right to representation by that employee organization.
After declaring oneself to be a "free agent employee", there is no further mention in the bill to describe the treatment of the "free agent". Because Iowa is a "right to work" state, it would appear that this would mean that the "free agent" could be terminated without notice and without further compensation. Nothing that I have read so far has addressed this issue.
Of course, since the bill would also get rid of the union's ability to negotiate for layoff procedures, the "free agent" would probably end up in no worse shape than union members themselves.
While Iowa is not in the same position as Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana, thanks to still having a democratic-controlled state senate, the fact that this is getting a hearing and a vote is distressing for those who work for the state.
It's my understanding that the rally and hearing will be available via livestream from the Senate democrats.
I hope that there are some who follow the livestream. As for myself, I plan on being in Des Moines in person. I'm going to take advantage of the "freedom of assembly" and will be at the legislative meeting.