Trumka: Jobs Crisis—Fix It Now
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Today at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and other leaders joined together to call for urgent action to create jobs and rebuild the economy.
In a live webcast panel discussion, the consensus was clear: Without quick action, an entire generation could be mired in economic turmoil. The nation can, and must, put people back to work—while addressing critical needs for the future of our communities.
The scale of the jobs crisis is obvious: Since the beginning of the recession, more than 8 million jobs have been lost. The official unemployment rate is at 10.2 percent, with more than 26 million unemployed or underemployed. These figures are even more severe among African American and Latino communities. Young people are at risk of permanently stunted opportunity, and the jobs crisis is rebounding throughout the country with increased hunger and poverty, massive numbers of home foreclosures and diminished access to health care.
Senate Clears the Way for Vote on Aid for Jobless Workers
After weeks of obstruction by Republican Senate leaders, millions of jobless workers who have or who will soon run out of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits may finally have a chance to grab an economic lifeline in the form of extended UI benefits.
The U.S. Senate yesterday approved a procedural motion that clears the way to a vote on legislation (H.R. 3548) that would provide an additional 14 weeks of benefits to unemployed workers in all states and up to 20 weeks in states with especially high jobless rates.
The Senate could vote as early as tomorrow, but a Thursday vote is more likely. Call your senators today and urge them to take swift action and pass H.R. 3548. You can call the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected to your senators or click here to find your senators’ office numbers.
Unemployment Benefits Extension Moves to Senate
The U.S. Senate is expected to act by the end of this week on a bill approved by the House yesterday that will provide an added 13 weeks of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for jobless workers in high unemployment states who have exhausted their benefits without finding new work.
H.R. 3548, introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), passed 331-83, with 66 Republicans and 17 Democrats opposing the measure, which will extend benefits in states where unemployment is more than 8.5 percent.
The official unemployment rate stands at 9.7 percent and is expected to top 10 percent in the coming months. There are six jobless workers for every job that is open.
30,000 Jobs Lost a Day in March
The bloodletting of U.S. jobs continues at an unprecedented pace: In March, the number of jobless workers worsened by 663,000, to 13.2 million, and the unemployment rate rose to 8.5 percent. That’s about 30,000 jobs lost for each work day in March.
In its monthly jobs report, the Labor Department sums up the latest data, which paint a dire picture of the labor market:
Since the recession began in December 2007, 5.1 million jobs have been lost, with almost two-thirds (3.3 million) of the decrease occurring in the last five months.
Economic Policy Institute (EPI) economist Heidi Shierhotz doesn’t mince words about the shockingly bad unemployment rate:
This morning’s unemployment report offered no hint of light at the end of the tunnel. Instead, it showed that the labor market is still in its darkest months.
