WASHINGTON - December 2 - As economic leaders gather in Washington for the White House Jobs Summit, working people will come together in Ohio, Minnesota, New Mexico, and California to talk about their experience in communities hard hit by the economic crisis. Members of Working America and the AFL-CIO will join religious and labor leaders in Dayton, Columbus, Minneapolis, Sacramento, and Albuquerque to discuss how the economic crisis has affected them and call for the implementation of national policies that will create good jobs immediately.

The roundtable discussions are part of an initiative led by the 11.5 million member AFL-CIO and affiliates like Working America to push for the immediate creation of good jobs. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will be at the White House Jobs Summit calling for a five-point plan that will create and save at least 2 million jobs over the next year.  The plan includes:

·        Extending the lifeline for jobless workers;
·        Rebuilding America's schools, roads, and energy systems;
·        Increasing aid to state and local governments to maintain vital services;
·       Funding jobs in our communities; and
·        Putting TARP funds to work for Main Street.

"The job crisis is hitting all working Americans across the country." AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said.  "That's why every day we are calling for immediate action to turn around the economy.  We need jobs—now. And I'll be delivering that message from millions of working people at the White House Jobs Summit."

Working America represents 3 million members, 16.5 percent of which are unemployed, making it one of the largest organizations of unemployed workers in the country. Recently, Working America launched the Unemployment Lifeline (at unemploymentlifeline.org) which is a resource for people who've lost their jobs and are struggling to find a new one.

"Every night we talk to thousands of people in neighborhoods across the country and they all tell us the same thing – that they need urgent action on jobs and economy to stay afloat," said Karen Nussbaum, Executive Director of Working America. "The jobs crisis is in every neighborhood, every family.  The question we're asking is what do working Americans think of the economy and how has it impacted them.  That's just as important as what Goldman Sachs thinks."

For information on the specific roundtables or to speak to participants, call Alison Omens at 202-637-5083.