From the daily archives:

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Danny Homan (file photo)

Danny Homan (file photo)

The head of a union that represents some of the workers in the judicial branch of state government says he is “extremely disappointed” the chief justice didn’t consult with the union before announcing layoffs. 

AFSCME members in the executive branch are voting later this month on a plan that will see all workers take five unpaid days off as a way to save money — and prevent layoffs. Danny Homan, president AFSCME Council 61, says AFSCME members who work in the court system had been emailing him, suggesting they might be willing to do the same thing.

“Our hope had been that we would be able to sit down and talk to them about what we could do and couldn’t do,” Homan says.  “I knew that there was some interest in this membership to take some unpaid days to save  jobs.” 

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Culver: executive branch layoffs could be trimmed to “100 or 200″

by O. Kay Henderson 11/12/09 9:00 PM

Governor Chet Culver says a second union representing state executive branch workers is close to drafting an agreement similar to what AFSCME union’s leaders are putting before AFSCME members for a vote. 
Earlier this week AFSCME announced an “understanding” which would see about 20,000 state executive branch workers take five unpaid days off as a way [...]

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Iowa court system will cut over 200 jobs

by Dar Danielson 11/12/09 5:58 PM

The Iowa Judicial Branch announced Thursday it will eliminate some 200 jobs to cut its budget for the rest of this fiscal year. Steve Davis , the court communications officer, says they will lay off 105 employees and will cut 100 vacant staff positions along with reducing the hours of 58 employees to meet state [...]

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UNI football team hosts final home game

by Todd Kimm 11/12/09 4:26 PM

The U.N.I. Panthers play their final regular season home game on Saturday when they host Western Illinois. The Panthers are 6-3 overall and should get into the national playoffs by winning their final two games. Farley says it’s the same as any game, you try to focus on the task at hand. He says the [...]

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Hawkeye wrestlers look to widen the gap

by Todd Kimm 11/12/09 4:25 PM

It is not a new spot for the Iowa wrestling team but the Hawkeyes enter this season as the top ranked team. The Hawkeyes have won two straight national titles and are 45-1 in duals during the past two years.
Iowa coach Tom Brands says things seem like they are “too tight” with the other top [...]

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Lickliter hopes tough schedule prepares team

by Todd Kimm 11/12/09 4:24 PM

Iowa coach Todd Lickliter says a tough schedule should help the Hawkeyes get better. The Hawks open the season at home against Texas-San Antonio and the schedule features only four teams that posted a losing record last season. He says it is a terrific schedule and he says when you play all the in-state schools [...]

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Drake looks for second NCAA soccer trip

by Todd Kimm 11/12/09 4:23 PM

The Drake men’s soccer team can earn a second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament which will be held in Des Moines beginning Friday. The Bulldogs open against Creighton on Friday afternoon and if they don’t win the tournament they will have to wait to see if they [...]

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