Chamber looks to avoid fair share debate

Fair share will be on the agenda in the Nebraska unicameral this year too.

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/01/13/news_business/local/bff386d8e04c23aa862573ce000be804.txt

By Dave Dreeszen Journal business editor

Like other pro-business groups in Iowa, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce fought Democratic-led efforts last year to pass "fair share.''

The controversial plan, which would allow labor unions to bargain for the right to charge a service fee to non-union workers, passed the Senate, but died in the House. Some legislative leaders expect the controversial proposal to come up again this year.

The Siouxland Chamber is bracing for that possibility. Retaining the state's existing right-to-work law is at the top of the group's "guiding principles'' for this session.

Chamber leaders warn that tinkering with the 30-year law would cost Iowa jobs and new business development. In particular, they say Sioux City could lose prospects to neighboring right-to-work states Nebraska and South Dakota.

"We have had numerous site selectors that we work with tell us that Iowa would be taken off the list,'' Chamber President Debi Durham said. "From a recruitment standpoint, future investment standpoint, it would be detrimental to our state.''

Durham said she hopes Democratic Gov. Chet Culver the Democratically-controlled Legislature concentrate on issues with broader appeal.

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