AFSCME to Congress: Pass the Jobs Bill Now!

by Jon Melegrito  |  October 11, 2011

AFSCME Sec.-Treas. Lee Saunders tells a gathering of unemployed workers and their supporters that “the way to move forward is to pass the American Jobs Act – now!” (Photo by Jon Melegrito)

Hours before the U.S. Senate was scheduled to vote on the American Jobs Act, unemployed workers and their supporters from labor unions and the faith community gathered at the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill to make their voices heard.

“It is time, long past time, to put America back to work!” Rev. Paul Sherry of the Interfaith Worker Justice coalition said, drawing loud applause.

A number of unemployed workers took turns sharing their personal stories, reliving the pain and frustration of being jobless.  In urging the Senate to vote for the bill, other speakers noted that the measure would put hundreds of thousands of people back to work, immediately rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure.

“The American people want all of us here in Washington to pull together to get it done,” AFSCME Sec.-Treas. Lee Saunders said. “What you’re seeing on Wall Street and in cities around the country is a movement that wants to put Americans back to work. Members of Congress, it’s time to take note of this Main Street movement – and pass this jobs bill now!”

Following the gathering, many in the crowd – including the unemployed workers – fanned out to the offices of senators who have not declared their support.

Last month, AFSCME Pres. Gerald W. McEntee hailed President Barack Obama’s announcement that he was sending to Congress a bill that focuses on jobs and jump-starting the economy. The President “realizes that economic recovery is dependent upon both public and private sector growth and closing the Texas-sized loopholes to make Wall Street fat-cats pay their fair share is better than laying off nurses, teachers and firefighters,” McEntee said.