AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Introduction of the Tax Fairness for Workers Act

WASHINGTON—Statement of American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the introduction of the Tax Fairness for Workers Act, a bill to restore tax deductions for union dues:

“When President Trump was on the campaign trail in 2016, he ran as a populist and pledged that the ‘American worker will finally have a president who will protect them and fight for them.’ But, the truth is, he has governed for the rich at the expense of working people. There’s no better example of this than his signature tax cuts, which gave corporations a windfall and left working people with massive tax bills, suddenly unable to deduct expenses incurred for their jobs, their healthcare and their homes. 

“Unions are one of the most critical tools that make it easier for workers to succeed and provide a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. That is why the Tax Fairness for Workers Act is so important. The bill offsets some of the additional burdens placed on unionized workers by the GOP tax bill by reinstating the deduction for unreimbursed employee expenses and eligible union dues. It is time we pass legislation that actually empowers American workers, not creates additional roadblocks in their pursuit of a better life.”