12/3 First Friday - Vigil for Jobs

First Fridays — "Vigil for Jobs” – New York City

Friday, Dec. 3, 2010
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Gather outside U.S. Senator Schumer's office

757 Third Avenue (betw. 47-48 Sts.)

Why the First Friday?

On the first Friday of each month, new statistics are released by the US Department of Labor on the official unemployment rate.  For example, in October 2010, the Department of Labor announced 14.8 million were officially unemployed. The official unemployment rate was 9.3%.

As reported by the National Jobs for All Coalition, an additional 15.5 million people make up the so-called “hidden unemployed.” These include 1) people who are working part-time because can't find a full-time job; and 2) people who want jobs but are not looking so are not counted in official statistics.

Taken together, the total number of jobless people in October was therefore was approximately 30.3 million (18.9% of the labor force). Over 8 million have lost their jobs over the last two years.

Our goal is to call attention to the unemployment crisis, and the need for urgent federal action to reduce unemployment, including a national federal jobs program similar to the WPA.  During the last serious economic depression in the 1930’s, President Roosevelt put millions to work doing useful jobs that made a lasting contribution to our country — roads, bridges, schools, libraries, housing, theater, painting, road guides, parks, and much more.  

In addition, we call for the continuation of unemployment benefits to the long-term unemployed, including people who have been unemployed for more than 99 weeks.

“Jobless recovery” is a contradiction in terms, and completely unacceptable to New Yorkers. We must insist that the Congress and President act swiftly to create millions of new jobs in clean energy and conservation; infrastructure and mass transit; education, health care, public and human services; and by creating a national industrial policy to stabilize and increase the number of manufacturing jobs, pink-and-blue-color jobs, and employment opportunities for youth and those nearing retirement. Also, the Federal Reserve should be encouraged to direct banks to expand lending for community job creation and small business.

Join Us!!   And also plan to attend the next monthly vigil -- Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 (same place, same time).

Cosponsored by:

Communications Workers of America, Local 1180
Empire State Economic Security Campaign
Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition
Healing of the Nations Foundation (Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Jr.)
Hunger Action Network of NYS
National Jobs for All Coalition
National Organization for Women - NYS
Workers Defense League, Inc.

For more information, see Press advisory, posted immediately below.
To endorse the NYC vigil, click here

Download NYC flyer

Contact: Noreen Connell, norconnell(at)aol.com or 212-586-3257

Web: http://www.jobscampaign.org/