We got this press release from AFSCME Council 61 contact Melissa Speed concerning an action that will take place next Wednesday September 17 in Fort Madison:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: September 10, 2025

Contact: Melissa Speed

Phone: (515) 246-1517 ext#605

Email: MSpeed@afscmeiowa.org

Union Leaders Rally in Fort Madison to Stop Privatization of Prison Healthcare

Des Moines, IA – The State of Iowa has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hand prison healthcare over to a for-profit corporation. In other states, privatization has failed – leading to worse care, unsafe conditions, costly lawsuits, and higher taxpayer bills.

AFSCME Council 61 will hold an informational protest urging the State of Iowa to keep prison healthcare; Safe, Accountable and PUBLIC.

WHAT: ‘Say NO to Privatizing Prison Healthcare!’

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 | 12:00p.m. – 2:00p.m.

WHERE: Fort Madison, IA | H Street between 8th & 9th Streets

WHY:

• Privatization puts profits over people
• Iowa deserves a prison system that is safe, accountable, and humane
• Other states saw higher costs, neglect, and unsafe conditions

SPEAKERS:

• Todd Copley, President, AFSCME Council 61
• Charlie Wishman, President, Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

MEDIA RSVP: Media personnel are encouraged to RSVP by contacting:

Melissa Speed at (515) 246-1517 ext# 605 or MSpeed@afscmeiowa.org.

About AFSCME Council 61

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 61 represents 40,000+ public employees across Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Our members include law enforcement and correctional officers, firefighters, mental health professionals, school support staff, emergency responders, and many others who provide vital public services. We also represent home health care and childcare providers, along with private sector workers at Prairie Meadows, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Des Moines University, and ABM in Marshalltown, Iowa.