Pisciottano introduces two workers’ rights bills

Rep. Nick Pisciottano    July 15, 2022

HARRISBURG, July 13 – Rep. Nick Pisciottano has introduced legislation to defend workers and punish corporations that are infringing on workers’ rights to collectively bargain.

“Federal and state law protect workers’ rights to join or form a union and collectively bargain, but for too long, businesses in this commonwealth have used unfair labor practices to deny workers their rights at the same time as collecting state subsidies or tax credits,” Pisciottano said. “It is unacceptable for the state to subsidize businesses that break the law.”

The first bill would prohibit businesses that operate in Pennsylvania from taking tax deductions for expenses incurred in opposing unionization efforts of their workers. The second bill would amend the tax code to prohibit state agencies from awarding tax credits to businesses that are found guilty of federal or state labor violations in the past 10 years.

Pisciottano said these bills would help enforce existing labor laws by preventing businesses from adopting union-busting practices, allowing workers to decide, without undue influence, whether they want to form or join a union.

Earlier this month, Pisciottano authored an Op-Ed criticizing industries that use these methods to exploit their customers and workers while simultaneously making as much money as they can in return.

Since being elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2020, Pisciottano has become a loud voice advocating for workers’ rights and economic fairness for working Pennsylvania families. Pisciottano serves on the influential Labor and Industry and Consumer Affairs committees which have jurisdiction over worker and consumer protection legislation.

The bills (H.B.s 2749 and 2750) have been referred to the House Finance Committee for review.