Local labor unions call for change to nation's tax laws

SOUTH BEND — While local restaurants served up some Tax Day discounts, local labor unions held a protest. For every sandwich, salad and lunch-time purchase at the State Café in South Bend, owner Brenda Markin served up a little savings on the side by offering discounts. "Tax Day is always a grieving day, everyone has to pay their taxes," said Markin. "We thought, ‘Why not?’" As the lunch rush picked up, local labor unions offered their own food for thought as another tax year comes to a close. While the panel distances themselves from the Tea Party movement, they are calling for change of their own to the nation's tax laws. "Nobody likes to pay taxes," said Joe Carbone, who organized the protest. "What we really don't want to see is our tax dollars wasted." Ann Hodges says big businesses have gotten greedy at tax-payers’ expense. "They should know they have corporations in the United States who will not blink an eye to take our hard-earned tax money and move it out of this country," said Hodges. Members from the AFL-CIO and St. Joe Valley Project Jobs with Justice accuse some companies of taking federal dollars and sending local jobs to other countries. The groups called for changes to the national tax laws, and they want to hold large corporations accountable during a rally outside the main Post Office branch in downtown South Bend. They hope their rally will attract attention to the exodus of local jobs. it's a personal mission for Hodges. "We've made Whirlpool a profit for 50 years, what do we get in return?" Hodges asked. Hodges said she will lose her job in June. "If they want to take our money, they should be forced to stay in the United States and support the United States," Hodges said. Coverage of the South Bend Tea Party protest is coming up at 11 p.m.