Labor Management Letter to Culver
January 29, 2007
VIA Email and
st
1 Class Mail
The Honorable Chet Culver
Governor of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
RE: Labor – Management Relations Funding
Dear Governor Culver,
I want to extend to you my congratulations as you begin your term as Governor
of the State of Iowa!
I am writing to ask for your support to reinstate efforts to bring about labor-
management cooperation throughout the State of Iowa. At one time, the
Governor and Legislature thought it important that unions and employers have a
forum for discussions and work together on common problems. During that time,
area labor-management committees flourished throughout the state. However,
over time funding to promote such dialog has been cut from the State budget.
Today the Dubuque Area Labor Management Council is the only such program in
the State of Iowa to remain active at any significant level. As a result, Dubuque’s
labor management relationship is stronger then ever with active involvement by
representatives from labor and manager Interests. Our experience also shows
that labor-management committees can be helpful to state government on the
policy development level.
The Dubuque Area Labor Management Council is requesting that the Governor's
office include $200,000 in its budget to support existing agencies such as
Dubuques’ and to encourage the creation of new labor-management initiatives in
the state. This funding would help leverage other investments from the private
sector, as well as City, County and federal government sources.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Congratulations again, I look
forward to working with you to create a stronger Iowa.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:cs
Cc: Mayor Roy D. Buol
Dubuque City Council
Susan Judkins, Director of Governmental Affairs, Iowa League of Cities
Rick Dickinson, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Mike Blouin, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Chuck Isenhart, Dubuque Area Labor Management
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Dave Heiar, Economic Development Director