I like Barrack's idea of providing a carrot for employers that give priority to U.S. Employees. Part of his bill implies that any company that breaks the National Labor Relations Act would not qualify for these tax breaks.
The penalties for labor violations are currently nil, which is why Wal-Mart and other companies simply fire any employee that attempts to organize to negotiate wages and benefits. Thats the cost effective thing to do.
Obama also supports the Employee Free Choice Act which would add penalties for labor violations during organizing drives, which would give Americans a viable opportunity to unite when CEO's get too greedy. I would like to see compromise on this bill to add penalties and leave Card Check optional....Sen. McCain would like to see no penalties and elimination of Card Check.
Patriot Employers Act
S.1945
Introduced by Senators Durbin, Obama, Brown
To provide a Federal income tax credit for Patriot employers, and for other purposes.
The term `Patriot employer' means, with respect to any taxable year, any taxpayer which--
`(1) maintains its headquarters in the United States if the taxpayer has ever been headquartered in the United States,
`(2) pays at least 60 percent of each employee's health care premiums,
`(3) has in effect, and operates in accordance with, a policy requiring neutrality in employee organizing drives,
`(4) if such taxpayer employs at least 50 employees on average during the taxable year--
http://thomas.loc.gov/...