Joint Steering Committee NEWS

Something to Remember Now that You've Paid Your Taxes As you file your tax return this week, you may think you’re paying off the tax obligations for just your household.  But you’re also footing the bill for American companies that are dodging billions of dollars of taxes.  Most major corporations have a tax department not just to comply with the tax code but also as a profit center according to the Center for Corporate Policy, a non-profit watchdog group.  Read More . . .

Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed After Five Union Organizers Assaulted In L.A.   While picketing a non-union building contractor in the Los Angeles Fashion District, five union organizers from the Ironworkers and the IBEW were attacked and hospitalized on Friday, March 14, 2008.  In response, 600 Building Trades and other union members protested the assault on Monday, March 17, 2008 at the construction site where the attacks took place.   Read more...

The Department of Labor Changes the Family and Medical Leave Act      On February 11, 2008, the DOL Proposed FMLA Changes to update the regulations under the 15 year-old Family and Medical Leave Act to include service-members.  In addition, other regulatory changes would include a more cumbersome medical certification process, eliminate medical information privacy by allowing an employer to communicate directly to a worker’s health care provider and request medical records, and require workers to make additional doctors visits at their own expense whenever the employer feels they need a clarification on the reason for requesting leave.