PITTSBURGH, PA. In an exclusive interview with Payday Report, billionaire Dallas Maverick owner Mark Cuban, a Pittsburgh native, said he would not oppose workers attempting to unionize at his new Cost Plus generic drug factory in Dallas.
The remarks came from Cuban, a Pittsburgh native, who was campaigning for Kamala Harris at an event here at Carnegie Mellon University. At the event, Harris called for outlawing union-busting activities, including anti-union captive audience meetings, and called on business owners to respect unions.
When asked after the event if Cuban would hold captive anti-union meetings at his new factory Cost Plus generic drug in Dallas, which opened in March, Cuban pledged that he would not oppose union efforts there.
"I had an NBA Team, and I'm still a partial owner," said Cuban. "I paid billions of dollars of wages, not billions, but at least a billion dollars in wages to union workers."
SCOOP: @mcuban tells @PaydayReport that he won’t union bust at his new Texas pharma plant in Dallas. https://t.co/l0nMY1plzh pic.twitter.com/Ura1sY1akH
— Mike Elk (@MikeElk) September 25, 2024
Cuban said that unions often help companies improve morale and production decisions.
"You're gonna negotiate, and I am a capitalist through and through, but I think it's a win-win. Like I said with the NBA, we got coaches' unions, we got players' unions. There is no problem; you'll never hear me say, "Get rid of unions ever," said Cuban. "I got no problem [with unions]."
I think it's a win-win. Like I said with the NBA, we got coaches' unions, we got players' unions. There is no problem, you'll never hear me say, "Get rid of unions,” ever," said Cuban. "I got no problem [with unions]." https://t.co/gFgtronG67 pic.twitter.com/yy44ySXCsy
— Mike Elk (@MikeElk) September 25, 2024
Cuban then told Payday Report that he thinks unions could achieve neutrality in small and medium businesses if they allowed businesses to buy into union health insurance plans.
"The healthcare that they offer to union members is insanely good; it's top-notch, as good as you can get anywhere," said Cuban. "[Unions] are missing a huge opportunity by not going to small-to-medium business and just saying to the CEO, the entrepreneur behind the company…" Look, if you allow us to unionize, we'll let you use our healthcare. By using our healthcare, you are gonna save a boatload of money".
Cuban says that allowing unions to manage more healthcare plans for workers more directly will help everyone.
"That money will go from PBM (Pharmacist Benefits Manager) and insurance companies to workers," said Cuban. "It's a win-win for both , and this is something that [small businesses] don't have the corporate knowledge of healthcare, but the unions do."
