Around 20 Iowa communities are hosting local employers and state leaders this fall for what are known as Future Ready Iowa summits. Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says it's an ideal opportunity to discuss Governor Kim Reynolds’ goal of continuing to build a skilled workforce in … [Read more...]
Auditor releases ‘Statewide Work, Statewide Jobs’ initiative
State Auditor Rob Sand is giving some of his Des Moines-based staff the opportunity to move to another region of the state. "As I was looking for ways to increase efficiency in the office, travel costs are a pretty big issue," Sand says, "so this is an easy way to reduce travel costs." About … [Read more...]
Transportation Commission approves funding to help Bondurant lure business
The state Transportation Commission today gave conditional approval for funding to improve roadways to a site in Bondurant as an incentive for the city to get a company to commit to building there. The DOT's Craig Markley told the commission the funding commitment would be based on the Iowa … [Read more...]
Impact of chicken plant closing shows in Floyd County job numbers
The impact of closing Charles City’s chicken manufacturing plant, called Simply Essentials, forced Floyd County’s unemployment rate to jump. Area Development Corporation director Tim Fox says the numbers from Iowa Workforce Development are troubling. "Our unemployment rate is now the … [Read more...]
Iowa Business Council quarterly survey shows drop in confidence
The executive director of the Iowa Business Council says their third-quarter survey shows weaker confidence among members. Georgia Van Gundy says the survey found sales expectations for the next year were down 24 percent compared to survey results from one year ago. "Due primarily to the … [Read more...]
Governor seeks policy for paid time-off for state workers who volunteer
Governor Kim Reynolds has directed a key state agency to draft a new policy for state employees who volunteer outside of state government during the workday. "It's important to me to encourage our hardworking state employees to participate in volunteer activities similar to other employees across … [Read more...]
Unemployment rate stays the same in August
Iowa Workforce Development reports the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.5% for August. The state has seen very little change in the rate in the last 14 months. It held at 2.4% for 12 straight months until moving up to the current 2.5% in July. IWD deputy director Ryan West says … [Read more...]
Class action lawsuit filed against UI Hospitals over pay for staff
Three employees of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics have filed a lawsuit over pay disputes. They allege the hospital is not paying them on time for extra shifts and extended workdays and estimate 2000 employees could qualify as part of their class action lawsuit. In court filings, … [Read more...]
15 candidates give 10-minute pitches at Iowa union convention
The president of the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO kicked off the union's annual convention by saying elections have consequences, then welcoming 15 candidates seeking the Democratic Party's presidential nomination to speak. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren mentioned that her campaign … [Read more...]
State unemployment rate increases for first time in 12 months
Iowa Workforce Development is reporting something it hasn't had to report in a long time -- the unemployment rated went up in July IWD Deputy director Ryan West says it was a small increase. "July came in at 2.5, and for the previous 12 months we held pretty strong at 2.4 percent," West says. … [Read more...]