PRLog (Press Release) – Dec 10, 2010 – Advocacy groups from all across the Country have once again joined together for one specific initiative and one common cause, saving American lives while in turn rebuilding the American Economy. To this end, The American 99ers Union* is requesting that Washington Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike now follow suit. In order to save millions of unemployed and underemployed people, in order to protect the jobs of working Americans and in order to facilitate the recovery of our flailing economy more rapidly, The American 99ers Union* is now making the following appeal to Washington Officials: 

VOTE NO ON ANY PROPOSED LEGISLATION that DOES NOT include an extension of unemployment insurance beyond the current 99 week maximum. Only legislation including the 99ers** will allow for ALL unemployed Americans to immediately take part in the recovery and get back to work ASAP. Should the Country make a short term investment that will result in finally getting Americans back to work, or a long term investment paying for food stamps, welfare and other Government Programs that will need to be created for the millions who will never find their way back to work unless the right thing finally is done?

President Obama said during his Press Conference on 12/08/10, “Unemployment insurance probably has the biggest impact in terms of making sure that the recovery we have continues and perhaps at a faster pace”. With Consumer spending accounting for approximately 70 percent of all national economic activity, Washington has two options: temporarily rescue only 2 million Americans from poverty, allowing them to play an active role in the economy. Or include the 99ers** and immediately rescue over 7 million Americans from poverty and allow all unemployed Americans to assist in the recovery.

The American 99ers Union* is suggesting that Washington immediately examine the facts and figures. Since the recession officially ended in June 2009, the economy has lost a net 439,000 jobs***. The unemployment rate was 9.5 percent in June 2009 and on December 3rd; The Department of Labor announced the unemployment rate for November 2010 was 9.8 percent.

The American 99ers Union* proclaims, Extended unemployment insurance for ALL unemployed Americans, so that the economic recovery can truly begin.

*A coalition of 19 Long Term Unemployed Advocacy groups; see american99ersunion.com for list. http://www.american99ersunion.com
**Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own and have been unable to find employment for over 99 weeks
*** Associated Press, 12/01/2010: Why the economy’s growth isn’t easing unemployment