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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Josh Goldstein (202) 637-5018

Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka on August Jobs Report

Today's jobs report reinforces the growing alarm working people are feeling as the economy worsens. Job creation last month was net zero. Our dying recovery is crying out for bold solutions to put Americans back to work and rebuild our country. Yet the political games in Washington are exacerbating inequality and joblessness at a difficult time. President Obama must propose solutions on scale with the problems our economy faces - and Congress must put aside partisanship long enough to help our middle class and economy recover.

WASHINGTON

Today's jobs report reinforces the growing alarm working people are feeling as the economy worsens. Job creation last month was net zero. Our dying recovery is crying out for bold solutions to put Americans back to work and rebuild our country. Yet the political games in Washington are exacerbating inequality and joblessness at a difficult time. President Obama must propose solutions on scale with the problems our economy faces - and Congress must put aside partisanship long enough to help our middle class and economy recover.

Action must start with a substantial and sustained investment in our infrastructure -- building the roads, ports, airways, and energy systems worthy of the 21st century. We need to revive U.S. manufacturing and stop exporting good jobs overseas. Today's news shows public sector layoffs are dragging down job creation. We must boost aid to state and local governments so they can provide essential services to their communities and avoid more layoffs. We must help fill the massive shortfall of consumer demand by extending unemployment benefits and keeping homeowners in their homes. It is time for Congress to pass legislation to provide for the direct creation of millions of jobs in local communities. These jobs must pay competitive wages and target distressed communities and must not replace existing jobs. And it's time to reform Wall Street so that it helps Main Street create jobs.

This is what's necessary. This is the moment in history every elected leader will be judged on their actions taken to create good jobs. America wants to work. Do our nation's leaders have the political will and courage to do what's needed?

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) works tirelessly to improve the lives of working people. We are the democratic, voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women.