Blumenthal Cosponsors Bill to Protect Striking Workers

[Hartford, CT] - Today, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) cosponsored the Tax Cut for Striking Workers Act to ensure workers are not taxed on the small stipends they receive while on strike.

When workers go on strike, they may receive a small stipend to help cover some of their lost wages, usually paid from a strike fund set up by the union. Strike fund payments can vary by union but are usually just a few hundred dollars a week. Many workers are surprised when they later find out they owe federal taxes on these small payments.

The Tax Cut for Striking Workers Act would provide relief for striking workers by excluding compensation a worker receives from a union's strike fund from a taxpayer's gross income.

"Striking workers face enormous economic hardships when they stand up for fair wages and working conditions," said Blumenthal. "Taxing the small stipends they receive while on strike is a harsh and heartless way of suppressing their voices and intimidating them into giving into the will of corporations. This bill will give economic protection to those workers and their families as they fight for justice in the workplace."

The legislation, introduced by Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is cosponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

The Tax Cut for Striking Workers Act is supported by: United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Communications Workers of America (CWA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Iron Workers, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), National Nurses United, American Federation of Musicians, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Center for American Progress, AFL-CIO, United Steelworkers (USW).

Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

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