JOBS - Iowa Starting Line

Apr 2025 1

651 laid off at Whirlpool in Amana

By Amie Rivers | LABOR, COMMUNITY, Amie Rivers

On Tuesday, news broke that 651 Iowans are soon to be laid off by June 1 from Whirlpool in Amana. That's about a third of its workforce.

Jan 2025 30

Auditor Sand uncovers $430,000 fraud scheme in Iowa Workforce Development funded program

By Zachary Oren Smith | GOP ACCOUNTABILITY, Zachary Oren Smith

Embezzled federal funds paid a family member’s cell phone bills and non-existent daycare services. Auditor Rob Sand says the state needs to prioritize oversight in light of investigation. A special investigation by Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand found evidence of...

Rob Sand behind a podium which has his name on it and the seal for the auditor's office. He stands in front of a blue backdrop with an alternating pattern of the auditor seal and the words "The Taxpayers' Watchdog"

Jan 2025 29

Seneca in Des Moines drops lawsuits against workers

By Amie Rivers | LABOR, COMMUNITY, Amie Rivers

Remember the 14+ Seneca workers in Des Moines who left their jobs after their company switched the equipment they knew how to service, and then got sued by Seneca over their noncompete agreements? The company has now dropped lawsuits against at least two of those...

Jan 2025 9

Republicans skip out on legislative forum

By Zachary Oren Smith | STATE LEGISLATURE, POLITICS, Zachary Oren Smith

The Republican Party holds the reins of state government but skipped out on laying their priorities out in an open forum. Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate laid out opportunities for future work. Statehouse Republican leaders ghosted on an...

Dec 2024 12

1,599 Iowans laid off at John Deere in 2024; more coming in January

By Amie Rivers | LABOR, COMMUNITY, Amie Rivers

Another round of layoffs at John Deere is coming to Iowa.

Nov 2024 21

11,400 Iowa workers laid off in agriculture economy downturn

By Amie Rivers | LABOR, COMMUNITY, Amie Rivers

Yesterday, the Iowa Farm Bureau actually quantified those losses for the state's vast, 385,000-person agriculture workforce. And it's not good.

Oct 2024 31

Cargill strike ENDS: Workers restart plant Thursday evening

By Amie Rivers | LABOR, COMMUNITY, Amie Rivers

Cargill strike news: The Cedar Rapids company and Teamsters Local 238 have ratified an agreement to end the monthlong strike.

Cargill Corn striking workers and supporters gather at a strike rally before marching in fron of the plant to demand a fair contract on Oct. 10, 2024, in Cedar Rapids.

Oct 2024 15

At Cargill strike rally, workers say company ignores them

By Amie Rivers | LABOR, COMMUNITY, Amie Rivers

At Thursday's rally at Cargill Corn Milling in Cedar Rapids, where around 100 Teamsters-affiliated workers have been on a Cargill strike since Oct. 1, workers talked about the disrespect they say they've gotten from their company during negotiations.