Putting Us Back to Work
Looking Ahead - Speaking last November in Florida to the Democratic Party of Collier County about the challenges and opportunities facing America’s working families.
Speaking last November in Florida to the Democratic Party of Collier County about the challenges and opportunities facing America’s working families. (Photo credit: John Hardman)
Message from the President
By Gerald W. McEntee
For eight years, working families struggled to survive under an administration that failed to protect workers, oversee financial markets or acknowledge corporate abuses. Year after year, we watched a privileged few soar to incredible heights of wealth while many others fell into debt and despair.
And the struggle continues. Eighteen million Americans are jobless and our unemployment rate is higher than it’s been since 1983. From Alaska to Puerto Rico, hundreds of thousands of AFSCME members have been laid off or forced to take furloughs days. Those who remain on the job are doing double and triple duty, especially in unemployment insurance and social service offices serving record numbers of clients in these troubling times.
A Good Start
President Obama’s efforts early in 2009 stopped the rec-ession from becoming a depression. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by the President last year, went a long way toward stabilizing the economy, and AFSCME led a national campaign to win its passage. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that in the first eight months of its existence, the law saved or created over 1 million jobs.
Additionally, a study by Mark Zandi of Economy.com found that every dollar in direct federal aid that went to state governments because of the recovery act generated $1.38 in economic activity.
An Important Move
But more must be done to generate a strong recovery. That’s why AFSCME enthusiastically applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for its December passage of the Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010 (H.R. 284)—a $48 million investment that will help get the nation back on track. By extending unemployment insurance and temporary health care coverage, this measure helps those who are looking for work. It will also create and save jobs by making targeted investments toward infrastructure, small businesses, job training and the hiring and retention of police officers and firefighters.
Our union was founded as our nation struggled to recover from the Great Depression—and we support this measure all the way. Our members’ financial security and the future of the public services we provide are at stake.
State Budgets Still Hurting
2009 was tough. 2010 and 2011 are expected to be even worse for states, cities, counties, schools, universities and hospitals that employ AFSCME members. The public services we provide will be decimated without strong federal action.
The situation is deteriorating because states’ fiscal year 2010 budget deficits total $181 billion—the largest shortfalls on record. State tax revenues in the second quarter of 2009 were nearly 17 percent lower than they were in the second quarter of 2008; during the same period, income tax revenue was down by over 27 percent.
AFSCME is working to protect jobs and services and rebuild communities. We are laying the groundwork for additional relief to state and local governments. We are also educating and mobilizing member activists—especially at the state level where fights are toughest—to oppose budget cuts and protect jobs, benefits and services.
A critical part of that effort includes mobilizing and building support in the Senate for action on the jobs bill. You can join the fight by calling the Senate today at (202) 224-3121. Tell them this is a crucial fight for America’s families and for our communities. Tell them that the loss of a job is much more than a statistic—it is a human tragedy.
