Press Room

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, January 09, 2009

“Jump-Start the Economy Right Now”

Statement of AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee on Today's Announcement that the Jobless Rate Has Jumped to 7.2 Percent

"America lost more jobs in the last year of George W. Bush’s disastrous presidency than in any year since 1945, which is one reason why this nation voted overwhelmingly for change in November. With more than 11 million Americans out of work and millions more at risk of losing their jobs, Congress needs to move to jump-start the economy right now, and that must include major help for states and localities that are being forced to cut many of the vital public services that the American people rely on in times of economic crisis. This is not the time to make service cuts that will only make the task of recovery more difficult in the long run. We need to rebuild our economy, put people back to work and renew the American Dream."

AFSCME’s 1.6 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations – from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers – AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.

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American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
1625 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-5687
Telephone (202) 429-1145
Fax (202) 429-1120

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