US Senator Brown (OH) appeared with Labor Secretary Tom Perez at a forum in Cleveland to meet with workers who have been victims of payroll fraud. They met with construction, package delivery and other workers who have been denied basic employment protections because they were misclassified as independent contractors or paid off the books.

“We should call this what it is: fraud,” said Sen. Brown. “This is unfair to workers, unfair to businesses that play by the rules, and it must stop.”

At the forum, Sen. Brown announced that he is reintroducing the Fair Playing Field Act. The bill seeks to amend the federal tax code. Previously, the Fair Playing Field Act was blocked in House and Senate committees.

In an ongoing effort to give back to the community, Local 1005 of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) collected and donated toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program this past holiday season.

The Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys for children each year. Local businesses serve as collection sites where community members can drop off toys, and the collected toys are distributed to less fortunate children within the community so they can experience the joy of Christmas.

Working with Reggie Hess, Marine Corps League District 1 Vice Commandant, Local 1005 collected over 100 toys and gift cards. “We are so appreciative of the support from Local 1005. We had a very successful holiday season, and it could not have been done without their generosity,” commented Hess. “This past year, we provided over 2,400 Christmas presents to children in Porter County, and in some cases, we were able to give out up to five toys per child. It’s because of generous people like those in Local 1005 that we are able to bring happiness to kids and families on Christmas day.”

Throughout the year, IKORCC members volunteer in their local communities in countless ways, including collecting donations for local charities. “It’s all about giving back to the community and to those who may be going through a tough time,” commented Eric Yuhasz, Local 1005 Secretary and IKORCC Representative. “We have so many members who willingly volunteer time, talents and donations without hesitation. There really isn’t a better feeling than witnessing the joy and graciousness of the families receiving our volunteer services.”

American workers have felt a slow decline in their wages since the early 1980s, meaning wage increases have been slightly lower than the cost of living increase. This means less money for groceries, clothing, your children and the everyday essential you may need for raising a family or saving for retirement.

Union wages for the construction industry are no different, except unions have contracts that include wage increase, healthcare and retirement plans. With ongoing training programs for apprentices and journeymen this allows the workers to be more skilled than the nonunion workers. Productivity levels are higher, accidents are lower, and attitudes on job sites are more positive than ever before because of the investments in training by the members and their union. These union contracts are agreements between Labor and Contractors. The more highly skilled workers usually result in better wages, better working conditions and better benefits for their family.

On the other hand, payroll fraud is spreading rampant through the construction industry. This is where unscrupulous nonunion contractors choose to hire hourly workers and pay them cash or as independent contractors (1099s) by not withholding the employee’s state or federal tax deductions, FICA withholdings and Medicare deductions, leaving this responsibility on the workers to pay.

Learn more about payroll fraud 

Jerome Stanford completed the apprenticeship program with hundreds of others from Indiana and Kentucky and were honored with a completion ceremony in December 2015. As the selected speaker to represent the graudation class, Jerome addressed the members and guests that night.