Contacts:
Greg Denier
Noreen Nielsen
(202) 721-0660
|
April 16, 2008
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The following is a
statement from Change to Win executive director Greg
Tarpinian on the introduction yesterday of federal
legislation to prevent the misclassification of
employees as independent contractors.
“Change to Win applauds the introduction of the
Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability and
Consistency Act by U.S. Reps. Jim McDermott, Richard
Neal, and John Tierney. This long-overdue
legislation will clamp down on companies that have
turned tax fraud into a business model.
“Genuine independent contractors and entrepreneurs
have an important place in our economy and the
workforce. But when unscrupulous companies cut
corners and misclassify their employees as
independent contractors, they are swindling
everyone.
“Workers who are misclassified are cheated out of
critical benefits from overtime pay and health
insurance to unemployment insurance, workers’
compensation, and legal protections such as equal
opportunity, job-protected family and medical leave,
and the right to join a union. Responsible employers
are undercut by unfair competition and cheated out
of business. And every year, all levels of
government are cheated out of billions of dollars in
revenue, which means law-abiding employers and
taxpayers end up paying more than their fair share.
"Misclassification of employees is one of the
primary contributors to the tax gap. The Taxpayer
Responsibility, Accountability and Consistency Act
will close loopholes and raise billions of dollars
for the federal treasury and hard-pressed states,
without raising taxes. It will also level the
playing field for law-abiding employers who do right
by their workers. And, it will ensure that workers
have access to the wages and benefits, government
insurance programs, and the employment rights they
are due under existing law. Congress should promptly
consider and enact this important legislation.”
Note: Media representatives interested in scheduling
an interview to discuss Change to Win’s position on
the Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability and
Consistency Act should contact Noreen Nielsen at
Noreen.nielsen@changetowin.org.
About Change to Win
Change to Win is a six million member partnership of
seven unions founded in 2005 to represent workers in
the industries and occupations of the 21st century
economy. Change to Win committed to restoring the
American Dream for a new generation of workerswages that can support a family, affordable health
care, a secure retirement, and the opportunity for
the future. The seven affiliated unions are: Service
Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, United
Food and Commercial Workers International Union,
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Laborers'
International Union of North America, United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and
United Farm Workers of America.