Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the start of District 4’s Conference in Detroit. Mathews talked about proposed legislation against tax breaks for companies that outsource work or anti-union efforts. He also discussed the first year under President Claude Cummings Jr.’s leadership and the upcoming Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action on June 13.
Mathews began his conversation by discussing the District 4 Conference held in Detroit this week. District 4 covers five states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The conference will be attended by CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. and CWA Secretary-Treasurer Ameenah Salaam and will help educate District 4 leaders on helping to improve member’s lives. Mathews said that among the discussion topics will be the importance of the redistricting efforts across the district after Michigan overturned so-called “Right-to-Work” laws following a successful redistricting effort.
Another major topic is a focus on legislation to prevent tax breaks to companies that practice anti-union efforts and offshoring. Mathews discussed how many companies can hire anti-union law firms and pay them millions of dollars to try and prevent a union from organizing, and every dollar spent is tax deductible. These tax breaks are similar to what has happened to companies in the communications industry that have offshored jobs at call centers. Mathews explained proposed legislation that would prevent companies from receiving tax breaks in Michigan if they have outsourced jobs to another country and how it compares to a similar proposal in the federal government.
Finally, Mathews briefly discussed the previous year under President Cummings and Secretary-Treasurer Salaam and how they’ve been able to push the CWA forward. He talked about the pair compared to the previous leadership of the union and how impressive it is to see Cumming’s ability to handle every situation he’s encountered. Mathews also discussed the beginning of what the CWA calls “Solidarity Summer” with World Wide Flight Attendant Day of Action on June 13. He discussed how the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA is still battling with legislators to allow flight attendants to strike if contract negotiations are being delayed by their employers.
To hear more from Mathews on the annual conference and their work on proposed legislation, please listen to the show above.
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