Frank Mathews of the Communication Workers of America District 4 spoke with America’s Work Force Radio Podcast on Aug. 11 to discuss President Trump’s promise to eliminate the payroll tax if reelected.

Defending the payroll tax

Recently, the president recently committed to permanently cut the payroll tax if reelected.

Mathews explained why this is not a great idea. The payroll tax is a large contributor to social security and medicare. Without this tax, people who have been paying into the programs for years will not reap the benefits they have been promised.

HEROES Act versus HEALS Act

Mathews, like many labor leaders, has an opinion on the HEROES Act, a relief bill that has sat on the desk of Mitch McConnell for months without action. He said the HEROES Act would have provided much needed funds to those who are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the legislation would have provided stimulus money to state and local governments to disperse to businesses in need.

The Republican counter is called the HEALS Act and pales in comparison to the HEROES Act according to Mathews.

The HEALS Act offered a slim $300 per week in unemployment funds, while the HEROES Act offered $600. The Republican bill does not offer hazard pay for those working or relief money for state and local governments or businesses.

The bill does however, provide liability protection for businesses so they are protected if an employee catches COVID-19 while working.

USPS in the run up to the election

Finally, Mathews covered the United States Postal Service (USPS) and its current mismanagement.

With the USPS already being underfunded, the threat of service running out of funds is very real. Mathews claimed the USPS will run bankrupt by the end of the summer, leaving them unable to continue offering their current services. Mathews connected this to the possibility of mail-in voting being hindered.

You can listen to Mathews’ last previous appearance on AWF Radio Podcast here.

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