Matthew Loeb, International President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, released the following statement in response to Republican candidates Jeb Bush and Rand Paul, who defended corporations that misclassify workers as independent contractors.

“Secretary Clinton was spot on in calling out companies that misclassify workers as independent contractors,” Loeb said. “We are facing a growing trend of shameless companies misclassifying our members – in a variety of professions from broadcast technicians to stagehands – as independent contractors.”

In misclassifying workers to reduce labor costs, companies deny middle class workers their hard-earned area standard wages and many critical benefits, including health care, pension qualification, and unemployment and disability insurance. 

“All middle class Americans should applaud Secretary Clinton for raising this worker misclassification issue,” said Loeb. “She clearly has their interests at heart. By speaking out, she is standing with them in the fight to enable their families to live with dignity.”