Saunders: American Rescue Plan is bringing back vital public services and jobs

AFSCME president calls on state and local governments to invest American Rescue Plan funding in expanding public services – including rehiring essential public service workers

WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement in response to the U.S. economy adding 943,000 jobs in July, showing promising public sector job growth:

“With the nation experiencing robust public sector job growth last month, it is clear that the American Rescue Plan is having a huge impact. Investment in public services is putting people back to work, breathing life into the economy and allowing us to continue recovering from the pandemic.

“AFSCME members have been on the front lines since the early days of the pandemic, fighting both to keep their neighborhoods running and to pass this landmark legislation. Their relentless dedication and activism through their union is making a difference in the lives of millions of people. The American Rescue Plan’s expanded child tax credit, which began landing in the bank accounts of working families in recent weeks, is providing a much-needed shot in the arm.

“Now, we have to keep it going. State and local leaders must continue to invest in public services, as well as rehire and expand our public service workforce. This is key to rebuilding our communities. Congress must also pass the PRO Act and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, to give working people a powerful union voice on the job. And as Congress continues to debate the President’s Build Back Better agenda, we must advance serious investments in physical and human infrastructure – everything from roads, bridges and water systems to education, child care and paid leave – that create good jobs with strong labor protections, paid for by requiring wealthy individuals and profitable corporations to pay their fair share.

“We’ve come a long way since the depths of the pandemic. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, working families are getting some relief and the economy is on the mend. But we can’t stop now. To build back better, we must continue investing in workers, families and communities.”