Something’s going right for workers in Congress. This week, the House of Representatives is slated to vote on the repeal of the "Cadillac Tax" (a tax on good healthcare plans) and on the Raise the Wage Act.
Across the nation, fast food, airport, service and retail and union workers have been marching and striking, calling for $15 and a union. The momentum has made its way to Congress! It’s time for working people to get the raise we deserve.
The so-called Cadillac Tax taxes above average healthcare plans. This tax, slated to go into effect in 2022, hurts working people and union members especially who have come together in the collective bargaining process to negotiate quality healthcare plans using the power of collective action. Oftentimes, union members have chosen to forego higher wages or other benefits to protect quality and affordable healthcare plans. This should not be penalized.
No one should be penalized for having or providing good-quality healthcare. The Cadillac Tax not only gives incentive for employers to switch to worse healthcare plans, but higher costs would be passed onto workers in the form of lower wages or higher out-of-pocket premiums.
We are currently experiencing the longest period without a minimum wage hike since the creation of the minimum wage in 1938. Wages have not kept up with the rise in corporate profits, productivity, or the cost of living. A minimum wage of $15 an hour will make a difference in peoples’ lives.
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