The Iowa Senate’s passage of Senate File 603 represents a dangerous overreach, threatening not only the state’s construction industry but also the very principles of local control and cooperative partnerships that have long served Iowa communities. This legislation, designed to dismantle apprenticeship programs, will erode workforce quality, compromise safety standards, and drive skilled workers out of our state. The Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, the Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council, and the Quad Cities Foundation for Fair Contracting Trust, representing a powerful coalition of labor and management, stand united in resolute opposition to this destructive bill, and we urge Governor Reynolds to exercise her veto power.
The core issue lies in the amended section of the Registered Apprenticeship Act, which would prevent state and local governments from mandating apprenticeship training on private projects financed with tax increment financing (TIF) dollars. This amendment represents a direct attack on local decision-making and the ability of communities to ensure the quality and safety of their own construction projects. By stripping local governments of this authority, Senate File 603 undermines the ability of communities to address their specific workforce needs and prioritize the development of skilled labor.
The Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, the Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council, and the Quad Cities Foundation for Fair Contracting Trust are built on the principle that strong partnerships between labor and management, coupled with local control, are essential for a thriving construction industry. These organizations understand that apprenticeship programs are not merely a labor issue; they are a shared investment in the future of the industry and a reflection of a community’s priorities. Both labor and management contribute to and benefit from the development of a skilled workforce. These programs, often tailored to local needs, demonstrate a commitment to training the next generation of skilled workers, ensuring both quality and safety within specific communities.
The Midwest Economic Policy Institute’s (MEPI) study, “Apprenticeship Training in Iowa,” reinforces the economic benefits of this labor-management partnership and highlights how local flexibility in apprenticeship requirements can bolster local economies. By removing this local control, Senate File 603 disrupts the vital cooperative dynamic that allows communities to thrive.
By dismantling apprenticeship requirements and stripping local governments of their decision-making power, Senate File 603 undermines the shared commitment to quality and safety that has been fostered through decades of local cooperation. Karl D. of Blue Grass, IA says, “After the Marines, the Operating Engineers’ Apprenticeship gave me a chance at a real future in the civilian world. To see these programs attacked? It’s a gut punch. I expected to get attacked while serving in Iraq, but not here at home. We served, we sacrificed, and now, when we just want to work and support our families, this is what we get. Unbelievable.”
The timing of this legislation, coupled with reductions in unemployment benefits, reveals a disturbing disregard for the well-being of working families and the stability of the construction industry. As Brian Atkins, Executive Director of the Tri-City Building and Construction Trades Council stated, these policies are delivering “direct hits to the livelihoods and dignity of Iowa’s labor force.” The labor-management organizations represented here recognize that the well-being of workers is inextricably linked to the health of the industry and the strength of local communities.
The claim that this bill provides tax relief is a deceptive attempt to mask its true intent. True economic prosperity comes from investing in the workforce, fostering strong labor-management partnerships, and respecting local control. Senate File 603 undermines these principles, weakening our state’s competitiveness, jeopardizing the future of our construction industry, and eroding the ability of local communities to shape their own destinies.
We, representing the unified voice of labor and management through the Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, the Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council, and the Quad Cities Foundation for Fair Contracting Trust, implore Governor Reynolds to recognize the devastating consequences of Senate File 603. We urge her to stand with the skilled trades, responsible construction contractors, and the working families of Iowa by vetoing this harmful legislation and preserving the essential principles of local control and cooperation.
The Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting (III FFC) is a nonprofit construction industry foundation, established to increase market share for responsible contractors, work opportunities for skilled craftsworkers, and value for taxpayers. III FFC raises standards of responsibility in the construction industry.
The Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council (The IMPACT Construction Agreement) is a partnership between the building trade unions and union contractors to provide a high quality product to owners and users. The relationship between labor, management, and owners helps ensure the primary goal of completion of a quality project in the most cost-efficient and timely basis.
The Quad Cities Foundation for Fair Contracting Trust was established in 2001 to provide workers and employers in the building, highway, and heavy construction industry with opportunities to study and explore new and innovative joint approaches to achieving organizational effectiveness.