Minutes Iowa Civil Rights Commission August 14, 2008
I. Roll Call-In person: Alicia Claypool; Debbie Gitchell; Tim Tutt; On Phone: Rich Eychaner; Connie
Gronstal; Rick Morain;
II. Recognition of Public and Press- Rachel! Scott (Div. administrator, Commission on the status of
Women; Roxanne Kitzman (EEOC)
Ill. Iowa Civil Rights Commission ---Approval of July, Minutes-as emailed -hearing no objections, minutes approved with one correction---timing of this meeting was changed to start at 1:00
IV. Commissioners' Reports and Subcommittee Reports
Commissioner Alicia Claypool- attended July Postville rally; attended EEOC national origin workshop; will be doing lunch and learns with Society of Public Administrators, other groups.
Commissioner Debbie Gitchell-situation in Ames. State fair
Commissioner Connie Gronstal- met with local GLBT and Friends of GLBT groups-wanted an
overview of the new SO-GI Iaw;
Commissioners Rick Morain and Rich Eychaner- no reports
Commissioner Timothy Tutt- state fair; attended community immigration forum in June
V. Executive Director's report.-upcoming meeting with IGOV; discussion on increase in housing probably due to a combination of testing, ; referral of cases from agencies, or from Legal Aid; also mentioned subpoena bill already pre-filed;
VI. Legislative or policy discussion
1. Equal Pay act discussion-Rachel talked about how Harkin intends to push the federal bill
i. 2008 Wage equity study on the publications button on webpage of the Commission
on Status of Women
ii. Looked at state employees-women making around Y, of what male managers make
iii. May ask AG for AG opinion on whether banning sharing salaries with other employees is an unfair labor practice; may also propose salaries of contractors.
iv. Connie wants to make equal pay a priority
2. subpoena bill-already filed
3. immigration bills in the wind
4. task force on worker's rights may also be looking at mis-classification of workers. (classified
as independent contractors vs. employees); thus some employers put other employers at a competitive disadvantage. In our civil rights world, we have jurisdiction over employees, but not workers hired as independent contractors
VII. Next Meetings-- October 16th
VIII. Adjournment