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The New Tax Law Will Make Outsourcing Worse The New Tax Law Will Make Outsourcing Worse We have already documented the many ways the Republican tax bill is bad for working people. In short, it's a massive giveaway to big corporations and the wealthy that throws away trillions of dollars we need to invest in America and create good jobs for working people. This week, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) organized an event to take a deeper look at how the new law will preserve and create incentives for corporations to move U.S. jobs overseas and shift corporate profits to tax havens abroad. Professor Kimberly Clausing of Reed College and Law Professor Rebecca Kysar of Brooklyn Law School outlined the following problems:
- The GOP tax bill unnecessarily creates new incentives to move tangible assets offshore.
- The new law largely preserves and even encourages the shifting of U.S. profits offshore and makes the United States the least desirable place to book income.
- The new law’s “territorial tax system” (meaning ordinary offshore profits are not taxed) loses revenue, and the international provisions as a whole lose revenue.
- Other provisions of the GOP tax law are confusing and befuddle top experts and practitioners, and may not be sustainable.
- The overall legislation is regressive despite 35 years of increasing inequality.
- The overall legislation contains vast new sources of complexity and uncertainty.
The majority's tax law actually encourages companies to export jobs. It creates a lower rate for multinational corporations to invest abroad....People need to know about the tax law's outsourcing provision and the perverse incentives in the law that rig the benefits and the economy against middle-class families.
Legislation has been proposed to fix the outsourcing provisions of the tax bill. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) have introduced the “No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act.” Separately, DeLauro has introduced the “Close Tax Loopholes That Outsource American Jobs Act.” Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 05/14/2018 - 09:34 — May 14 -
New Survey Shows Sexual Harassment a Pervasive Problem for Flight Attendants New Survey Shows Sexual Harassment a Pervasive Problem for Flight Attendants A new survey from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) reveals that more than two-thirds of flight attendants in the United States have experienced sexual harassment on the job. AFA-CWA President Sara Nelson discussed the scope of the problem:
While much of the coverage of the #MeToo movement has focused on high-profile cases in the entertainment industry and politics, this survey underscores why AFA has long been pushing to eradicate sexism and harassment within our own industry. The time when flight attendants were objectified in airline marketing and people joked about ‘coffee, tea, or me’ needs to be permanently grounded. #TimesUp for the industry to put an end to its sexist past.
Nelson noted that the problems associated with the harassment go beyond the harm caused to the flight attendants:Flight attendants are first responders. Their authority when responding to emergencies is undermined when they are belittled and harassed. Likewise, harassment makes it more difficult for flight attendants to intervene when passengers are harassed by other passengers. Flight attendants must be confident that airline executives will back them up when they respond to and report harassment of crew and passengers.
Here are some of the key facts uncovered by the survey:- 68% of flight attendants have experienced sexual harassment during their flying careers.
- 35% experienced verbal sexual harassment from passengers in the past year.
- Of those who have experienced verbal sexual harassment in the past year, 68% faced it three or more times, and one-third five or more times.
- Flight attendants describe the verbal sexual harassment as comments that are “nasty, unwanted, lewd, crude, inappropriate, uncomfortable, sexual, suggestive and dirty.” They also report being subjected to passengers’ explicit sexual fantasies, propositions, request for sexual “favors” and pornographic videos and pictures.
- 18% experienced physical sexual harassment from passengers in the past year.
- Of those who experienced physical sexual harassment in the past year, more than 40% of those suffered physical abuse three or more times.
- Flight attendants said the physical sexual harassment included having their breasts, buttocks and crotch area “touched, felt, pulled, grabbed, groped, slapped, rubbed and fondled” both on top of and under their uniforms. Other abuse included passengers cornering or lunging at them followed by unwanted hugs, kisses and humping.
- Only 7% of the flight attendants who experienced sexual harassment reported it to their employer.
- 68% of flight attendants say they haven't noticed any employer efforts over the past year to address sexual harassment at work. According to AFA-CWA, airlines Alaska, United and Spirit have led the industry in addressing this issue.
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Union-Made in America Mother's Day: The Working People Weekly List Union-Made in America Mother's Day: The Working People Weekly List Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s this week’s Working People Weekly List. Make Sure Mother's Day Is Union Made in America: "You have no excuse for waiting until the last minute to find a nice gift for Mother's Day that also carries the union label. Our friends at Labor 411, the union business directory from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, can help you out." America's Labor Movement Loses Champion Diann Woodard: "Diann Woodard, president of the School Administrators (AFSA) and a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, died on Sunday after a long illness. She had a long and distinguished career as a teacher and as a tireless advocate for quality public education for all children and for the rights of working people." Teaching Solidarity on Teacher Appreciation Day: "A quality public education is the bedrock of democracy, which is a truism on this Teacher Appreciation Day more than ever, as educators across America instruct us all by example in the power of learning, activism, solidarity and public service. Throughout 2018, America’s working families have been inspired by the teachers rallying together against long odds for better schools. America’s labor unions offer our heartfelt thanks." Labor’s Maria Elena Durazo on the Ballot for California State Senate: "Longtime labor activist and leader Maria Elena Durazo is a familiar and beloved name to hundreds of thousands of union members and working people. She is vice president for UNITE HERE International Union, which represents more than 270,000 hospitality workers in the U.S. and Canada. And for almost a decade, 2006-2015, she was the first woman elected secretary-treasurer of the powerful Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, representing the interests of more than 300 local unions. Her late husband, Miguel Contreras, had earlier served in that position. Currently she serves as co-chair of the National AFL-CIO’s Immigration Committee and she is a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee." This Candidate Became the First Woman to Use Campaign Funds to Pay for a Babysitter: "The Federal Election Commission on Thursday gave a woman candidate running for Congress the green light to use portions of her campaign funds to pay for child care. Liuba Grechen Shirley, a New York mother of two young children running for Congress on Long Island, pays $22 an hour for a babysitter to take care of her toddlers for about 20 hours per week." The Overlooked Faces of America's Working Class: "The American perception of the working class has traditionally been associated with the image of a white, male industrial worker. But that understanding ignores the reality that today, more often than not, a working class American is female, non-white and typically representative of service work. As The Takeaway continues its series of conversations about labels and American identity, we explore what it means to be working class in this country today and whether there is still the opportunity to move up and out of the working class that there once was." No Deeds, No Aid to Rebuild Homes: Puerto Rico's Reconstruction Challenge: "Every time Miriam Medina looks at her roofless, weak, wobbly house, she’s reminded of all her failed attempts to receive aid to fix it. 'Due to Hurricane María,' Medina told NBC News, 'my house was completely lost.'" ‘We Are All Immigrants’: "Tefere Gebre came to the United States in 1984 as a teenager. He and four friends had left their home in war-torn Ethiopia and walked nearly 500 miles across the desert to a refugee camp in Sudan. He was eventually granted asylum as a political refugee and came to the United States by himself, without parents. He settled in Los Angeles, where he learned English and became an advocate for workers’ rights." AFL-CIO: TPP Failed Workers and Deserved to Die: "The Trans-Pacific Partnership died because it ultimately failed America’s working families. Instead of addressing the economic devastation wreaked by wrong-headed trade deals, the TPP doubled down on a failed, corporate-driven ideology." AFL-CIO Launches Study of State of Work and of Unions: "'A generation of bad policy choices have created an economy where many industries have grown up with no unions at all—and corporations and politicians have attempted to erode what it means to be an employee' and thus protected by labor law and the right to organize, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in opening the meeting." Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 05/11/2018 - 10:38 — May 11
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Fighting for National Security: Worker Wins Fighting for National Security: Worker Wins New Jersey State AFL-CIO Our latest roundup of worker wins begins with airport workers fighting for national security and includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. Orlando TSA Workers Defeat Privatization Push: AFGE members who work in airport security at Orlando International Airport defeated attempts to privatize security at one of the busiest airports in the country. Despite Orlando being named the top airport in customer service satisfaction, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority previously voted to replace federally trained TSA officers with private screeners. Under pressure from AFGE members and an outraged public, GOAA reversed its earlier vote. With Tuesday Victories, New Jersey Labor Candidates Program Notches 971st Victory: The New Jersey State AFL-CIO's labor candidates program continues to rack up victories. On Tuesday, Jerell Blakeley, a United Steelworkers (USW) Local 397 member, was elected to the Trenton City Council; Ed Osborne with Laborers (LIUNA) Local 1153 was elected to the Newark City Council; and Anthony Vauss with Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 68 was elected mayor of Irvington. Another candidate, Marge Caldwell Wilson, a member of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1087, qualified for a runoff election for Trenton City Council. Chicago Tribune Guild Reaches Historic Agreement with Tronc: Tronc, the company that operates the Chicago Tribune and numerous area publications, voluntarily recognized the Chicago Tribune Guild, which is an affiliate of The NewsGuild-CWA (TNG-CWA), after more than 85% of eligible employees signed cards supporting unionization. Leaders from the TNG-CWA said that voluntary recognition from a company as large as Tronc was unprecedented in their experience. Just Born Loses Appeal in BCTGM Pension Case: After a judge ruled last year that Just Born, the company that produces Marshmallow Peeps and various candies, couldn't unilaterally stop enrolling employees in their pension plan without penalty, the company appealed. In April, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Just Born. To date, the workers and their union, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM), have won all legal battles related to Just Born's pension actions. Dodo Editors and Video Staff Become Latest Digital Media Workers to Join WGAE: Editorial and video staff at digital publication the Dodo, which writes about animals and related causes, have joined the Writers Guild of America, East. The Dodo follows Vox Media, Onion Inc., HuffPost, Vice, The Intercept, Think Progress, MTV News, Salon, Slate and Gizmodo Media Group in joining WGAE. Health Care Workers at Shasta Regional Medical Center Join Caregivers and Healthcare Employees Union (CHEU): Some 400 nursing assistants, laboratory technicians, respiratory therapists, orderlies, housekeepers, admitting staff and other workers will be joining CHEU, an affiliate of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. The employees voted 90% in favor of the union and will now elect a team to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement. Among the top issues the Shasta employees are pursing are safe staffing, a stronger voice in patient care delivery, improved health care and retirement benefits, and job protections. Workers at Agency Trump Tried to Close Vote to Join AFGE: Employees at the U.S. Chemical Safety Board voted to join AFGE. President Donald Trump has targeted the agency for closure in two budget proposals. The union is pursing a grievance and arbitration process for employees and also will negotiate for a more comprehensive contract. Charter School Teachers at Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Sign Cards to Join United Teachers Los Angeles: A clear majority of teachers at three Alliance College-Ready Public Schools charters signed cards to join the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA). More than 100 educators are joining UTLA and other charters in the alliance network are expected to follow. Quality Assurance Employees at Nestle Purina Join BCTGM: Workers who do quality assurance at Nestlé Purina PetCare's plant in Edmond, Oklahoma, voted to be represented by BCTGM. David Woods, an international representative for the union, lauded the strength of the workers in the face of strong opposition from Nestlé Purina: "I am very proud of the quality assurance workers who had the courage to resist the companies’ anti-union propaganda and anti-union strategy throughout the 23-day period between filing for an union election and being able to and vote to become members of BCTGM Local 366G." Working People at the Palms Continue Organizing Victories at Station Casinos: Workers at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas voted 84% in favor of unionizing. About 900 workers will be represented by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Local 165, affiliates of UNITE HERE. The Palms is the fifth Station Casinos location to join together in union since 2015. School Bus Drivers Win Contract in Yonkers: School bus drivers that work for First Mile Square in Yonkers, New York, have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract, with a vote of 282 in favor and 7 against, with Transport Workers (TWU) Local 100. The contract provides annual wage increases and was first agreed to after the union was poised to strike late last year. Jobs to Move America to Be Repaid Legal Fees for Holding New Flyer Accountable: In a 2013 deal to sell buses to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority, New Flyer made hiring and wage commitments. Jobs to Move America, a nonprofit that urges state and local governments to hire locally and pay livable wages, requested information from New Flyer about compliance with those commitments. The company attempted to block the release of those records, but a judge rejected those attempts and ruled that New Flyer has to pay Jobs to Move America for legal fees. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 05/10/2018 - 11:13 — May 10
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America's Labor Movement Loses Champion Diann Woodard America's Labor Movement Loses Champion Diann Woodard AFSA Diann Woodard, president of the School Administrators (AFSA) and a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, died on Sunday after a long illness. She had a long and distinguished career as a teacher and as a tireless advocate for quality public education for all children and for the rights of working people. In addition to 36 years in the schools of Detroit as a teacher, counselor and administrator, Woodard quickly became active in her union, serving on the union's general executive board for 16 years before being elected president. In her time as president, she was instrumental in forging an alliance with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, that was key to securing congressional funding for training principals. AFSA Executive Vice President Ernest Logan lauded Woodard's advocacy for children and working people:
Diann’s passing is a great loss to America’s labor movement. She personified the word leader in the fight for union rights and working families, though elected officials and antagonists of public education who mistook her quiet grace for weakness soon found themselves in a much longer, tougher struggle than they anticipated. She spent decades fighting on behalf of workers in every profession while standing up for the children whom she has dedicated her life to educating, in the hope of empowering them to think independently and pursue greater opportunities.
Woodard grew up as part of a union (UAW) family before later becoming active in the Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors, AFSA Local 28. She served three consecutive terms as president of the local before becoming president of AFSA in 2009. For the AFL-CIO, Woodard served as vice chair of the Committee on Women Workers and fought for a greater role for women and minorities in the labor movement. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said:For over nearly four decades Diann Woodard fought to give Michigan’s children a better future, while fighting for justice and rights for teachers and school administrators. Today, America’s labor movement has lost a champion, and an exemplary leader and educator. And I've lost a friend. From her days growing up in a UAW household in Detroit to her lifelong service to our country as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and labor leader, Diann Woodard always put workers, students and families first. On behalf of the AFL-CIO, I send my deepest condolences to Diann's family, including her sisters and brothers at AFSA. She will be sorely missed.
Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 05/09/2018 - 11:47 — May 9