Who needs heat safety? Iowa layoffs and news, Aug. 6, 2026

Republicans in the US House are advancing legislation that would disallow OSHA from passing national heat safety standards.

Amie Rivers

August 6, 2026

Know the signs of heat exhaustion before it leads to heat stroke and a medical emergency. Courtesy NOAA, CDC.

Iowa Worker’s Almanac news briefs for Aug. 6, 2026:

It’s not like the planet’s getting hotter: Republicans in the US House are advancing legislation that would disallow OSHA from passing national heat safety standards. It’s almost like they don’t care about workers.
Blame Canada? Labor groups like the IAM agree that the US should crack down on forced labor via new tariffs, but disagree that Canada should be included.
Pizza delivery drivers in Iowa are getting shafted no matter what place they work at.
AI is only inevitable if you’re not fighting against it.

Upcoming layoffs:

Information taken from Iowa Workforce Development’s WARN Act website. Read WARN Act and Iowa WARN Act criteria here.

Independence Premium Foods in Independence is laying off 41 workers by Sunday. Read more here.
Plastic Products Co. in West Branch is closing and laying off 77 workers by Aug. 14. Read more here.
Wells Fargo in West Des Moines is laying off:
43 workers by Aug. 22,
20 workers by Sept. 5,
20 workers by Sept. 19, and
7 workers by Oct. 3.
Read more here.
BrandFX in Swea City is closing and laying off 56 workers by Aug. 31. Read more here.

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