Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
A Clinton County District Court judge gave final approval Tuesday for a deal that resolves a class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and ends with the retail giant paying up to $11 million.
The suit, which was started in 2001 by workers Sally Mussman and Ronda Harmon, included nearly 100,000 current and former Iowa workers at Wal-Mart who alleged that they were forced to skip breaks and lunches and were required to work overtime without pay. Although Wal-Mart has agreed to the $11 million deal, the company does not have to admit wrongdoing as a part of the settlement.
The Iowa case is one of more than 50 across the nation that was based on or included wage and hour violations. Last year Wal-Mart, which continues to be one of the few retailers amassing profits in a downturn economy, said it would use up to $640 million to settle the suits. At least 15 other suits are also nearing agreements, pending court approval.
According to the company’s Web site, it employs 18,215 people in Iowa as workforce for numerous retail outlets and a distribution center. Employees have a deadline of Dec. 1 to file claims, which are expected to range from $25 to $300, depending on the claim details and length of employment. Mussman and Harmon will each receive $15,000 in incentive awards as a part of the settlement.
Payments to the employees is capped at $11 million; however, the company must pay at least $7.5 million to workers who file claims. The deal also indicates that Wal-Mart officials and supervisors must not discuss the deal with employees or retaliate against those who participate.
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