Painters & Allied Trades Local Union 246 v. City of Des Moines

SNELL, Justice.

The focus of this appeal is the proper interpretation of a portion of Iowa Code section 29A.28 (1987). The relevant language allows municipal employees a leave of absence for military service “without loss of pay during the first thirty days of such leave of absence.” Iowa Code § 29A.28 (1987). The district court found that the legislature intended that municipal employees be granted thirty paid working days of leave. The city contends that the statute grants only thirty calendar days, thereby including weekends and other days off in the period of absence.

We note at the outset…