Contact: R.J. Hufnagel, 412-562-2450, rhufnagel@usw.org
The United Steelworkers (USW) union released the following statement today from USW International President Tom Conway following the introduction of the “No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act” in the U.S. House. The U.S. Senate also is considering a version of the bill.
“Simply put, the U.S. government should not be subsidizing corporate attacks on American working families. That’s why the USW supports the ‘No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act.’
“For too long, U.S. corporations have had the upper hand when workers want to organize unions, improve their working conditions and create a better quality of life for them and their families.
“On paper, workers have the right to join unions in this country. In reality, however, company owners often spend millions on lawyers and other high-priced consultants to run union-busting campaigns, based on fear, intimidation and falsehood, to deny them their legal rights. Companies even break the law on a regular basis in their effort to deny workers the right to bargain collectively.
“Worse yet, these same corporations have for years been able to write off these anti-union costs as business expenses, reducing their tax burden and thereby putting a heavier burden on workers and their families.
“The bill introduced today would end that practice and instead treat anti-union expenses just like any other corporate lobbying activity.
“Both houses of Congress should quickly pass this bill and send it to the president for his signature. It’s time to give workers a fair chance and end the practice of our own government underwriting union busting.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.