Statement by ISEA president Tammy Wawro on Notice of Appeal

DES MOINES, IA (11/13/2017) (readMedia)-- "The ISEA today appealed Iowa Fifth Judicial District Judge Michael Huppert's denial for summary judgement.

"We will continue fighting hard for our members to ensure that they receive the same rights and privileges enjoyed by other employees. We will also continue to fight for the students in our care. Our professional environment is their learning environment.

"We believe the new law is blatantly unfair because it treats some public employees differently from others and it puts obstacles in place for unions in terms of dues collection and recertification.

"This appeal asks the court to consider that the new law:

"(1) Violates the Uniformity Clause found in Article I, Section 6, of the Iowa Constitution because it establishes different collective bargaining rights for bargaining units containing less than 30 percent public safety employees;

"(2) Violates the Uniformity Clause of the Iowa Constitution because it prohibits the use of payroll deduction for payment of employee organization dues, while continuing to allow such payment for dues connected with professional or trade organizations; and

"(3) Violates the substantive due process rights of our members with new requirements to certify, retain and decertify employee organizations.

"This litigation is one component of our fight to win back the rights taken from our members in the last legislative session," said Tammy Wawro, ISEA President.

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The ISEA promotes quality public education by placing students at the center of everything we do while advocating for education professionals.