The Iowa Supreme Court says a home improvement store has to pay state sales tax for labor on some items purchased for homes. The Department of Revenue determined the Lowe's stores in the state should have been charging sales taxes on labor for the installation of windows and doors, faucets, … [Read more...]
Manpower survey finds many businesses looking to hire new workers
Just over one-quarter of Iowa employers plan to add more workers over the first three months of 2019. That's according to a survey released today by ManpowerGroup. Spokesman Dave Wheeler says over 12,500 businesses across the U.S. took part in the survey. "In the state of Iowa, of all the … [Read more...]
Grinnell College students willing to negotiate union disagreement
Members of a union for students who work in Grinnell College dining halls say they're still open to negotiating with administrators to avoid a prolonged legal battle. Grinnell College officials are asking federal regulators to nullify the union's vote to expand its membership to student assistants, … [Read more...]
AFSCME leader requests return to previous bargaining agreement, 3% raise
The leader of the labor union which represents some 20,000 state employees presented his contract proposal to the Reynold's Administration Thursday. AFSCME Council 61 president, Danny Homan says they are requesting the return to the contract language used before the new collective bargaining law … [Read more...]
Creighton survey shows economy moving toward slowdown
A survey of business managers in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states finds two-thirds of those questioned say international trade tariffs are hurting their bottom lines. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says despite strong manufacturing job gains, the Business Conditions Index fell … [Read more...]
Public Employees Retirement System shows nearly an 8% net return on investments
The annual financial review of IPERS -- the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System -- was completed last week. IPERS CEO Donna Mueller says the report shows the pension system had $32.3 billion in assets on June 30, 2018. "That's after paying $2.1 billion in benefits for the past fiscal … [Read more...]
State unemployment rate drops to 2.4% in October
Iowa's unemployment rate has dropped its lowest level in nearly 19 years. Iowa Workforce Development spokesman Cory Kelly says the state's jobless rate in October dipped to 2.4%. "The last time we saw this rate was in March of 2000," Kelly said. "That 2.4% keeps us second in the nation." Only … [Read more...]
Iowa Supreme Court opens door for workers compensation claims involving medical conditions
The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled falls at work caused by medical conditions can't automatically be ruled out for workers compensation claims. The case involves 38-year-old Jason Bluml, who had a seizure while working as the shift manager of the Long John Silver's in Council Bluffs in 2012. The … [Read more...]
State road grant approved for expansion of Nevada meat company
The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved a state grant of $501,452 to fund roadway improvements for a Nevada manufacturing business that makes pizza toppings. DOT spokesman Craig Markley told the commission the grant will help Burke Marketing Corporation with a planned expansion. "They're a … [Read more...]
New rules approved for workplace misconduct investigations in state government
A legislative committee has taken the unusual step of giving immediate approval to new rules for how workplace misconduct complaints are to be handled in state government. Iowa Department of Administrative Services director Janet Phipps began drafting these changes a month ago -- after an … [Read more...]