Retirees - Mary

MARY CANNON-JAMES

IOWA

Mary Cannon-James has seen the birth, growth and contraction of collective bargaining in Iowa, and through it all, she’s remained a tireless fighter. “I started working for the state of Iowa in 1970 as a social worker for the Department of Human Services. When I transferred to the Iowa Workforce Development in ’71, I was one of the first females hired. Back then, it was a man’s world. You couldn’t transfer, get promoted or anything unless you were friends or relatives of the boss. There was so much nepotism,” recalled Cannon-James.

a man's world

More than 40 years ago, Iowa public service workers fought for a voice with AFSCME … and won. Courtesy of AFSCME Archives, Wayne State University

A small group of other state employees who were also tired of the old boy’s network began to look around for a public employee union so they could gain a voice on the job. That was in 1974, when Iowa won collective bargaining rights. In 1977, Cannon-James and her fellow state workers organized with AFSCME. Reflecting on her years as an AFSCME leader, Cannon-James, who long served as president of Local 3011, Davenport State Employees, until her retirement in 2004, says, “There were some good years under Governor (Robert) Ray, and some bad years under Governor (Terry) Branstad, but we still grew our membership and our contract. We always had a very good working relationship with management and we worked out our problems before going to grievance.”

However, after Iowa state employees saw their collective bargaining rights hampered in 2017, the ability to sit down with management to solve problems, among other vital freedoms for Iowa’s public service workers, faced new hurdles. But Cannon-James knows that the demand to be heard is as strong for public service workers now as it was back in the 1970s. “These days, I’m concerned about what they’re going to do to our pensions,” says Cannon-James. “Between that, Social Security and Medicare – that’s what we live on. I don’t believe the governor when she says she’s not going to touch our pensions. So, it’s pretty easy to stay fired up.”

Mary’s story is part of a longer series about how AFSCME Retirees fought for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. They share their lessons for younger generations.

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JEFF'S STORY

DAVE'S STORY

“Back then, it was . You couldn’t transfer, get promoted or anything unless you were friends or relatives of the boss. There was so much nepotism.”

1980s: AFSCME Council 61 members demonstrate against federal budget cuts. Courtesy of AFSCME Archives, Wayne State University

a man's world

SEE ALL THE STORIES »

Mary’s story is part of a longer series about how AFSCME Retirees fought for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. They share their lessons for younger generations.

Visit www.afscme.org/retirees »

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