Unemployment benefits expired for 2.5 million long-term jobless back in May.  Since then, the Senate has almost restored unemployment benefits three times, but each time Republicans have blocked the votes with procedural delays.

Tomorrow, the unemployment benefits extension is expected to come to a vote.  Tell your Senators not to fall for GOP scare-tactics about the budget deficit — or their offensive assertions that the unemployed are “spoiled” brats who are just “sitting there” collecting unemployment benefits.

One job for every five people looking for work is a jobless emergency, and we need emergency action now!

TAKE ACTION

They said we couldn’t do it, but they were wrong.  JwJ and our partners out-organized the big banks!

On Thursday, two years after the financial meltdown that has spiraled into the worst economic crisis in a generation, the Senate finally voted to approve the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act.  This financial reform bill takes some key steps towards breaking the control that Wall Street has over our country.

This important victory is just the beginning.  We will continue organizing to hold the big banks accountable and work to ensure that the banks who profit from our money benefit our communities.

They said we couldn’t do it.  But they were wrong.  JwJ and our partners overcame $1.5 Million PER DAY of banker lobbying!

On Thursday, the Senate plans to vote on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act.  This financial reform bill that takes some key steps towards breaking the control that Wall Street has over our country — and we need everyone to ACT NOW to pass it!

Last summer, insiders pronounced banking reform “dead.” They said ‘everyone’ had forgotten about the Wall Street bailout and the obscene bonuses — and that Congress was too dependent on bank money as it approached election season to do anything that would actually make a difference.  But a series of mobilizations across the country kept the heat on Congress and an important step towards breaking the power of the banks is within our grasp.

Let’s be real:  The Dodd-Frank bill, already passed by the US House, is not the end of the struggle.  The big banks are still too big.  They still need to be broken up and

Continue reading ACT NOW to Hold Banks Accountable

Fifteen million jobless are still waiting for our Senators to finish the job and pass unemployment insurance extension.   Millions more are waiting for COBRA health subsidies and aid to states.

CALL NOW: 1-888-854-1978

Tell your Senator to vote for the American Jobs & closing Tax Loopholes Act:

This jobs crisis is deeper and longer-lasting than even the Reagan recession of the 1980s.  State and local governments are starting to lay off thousands of teachers, and experts predict a loss of nearly one million jobs in the coming months if Congress fails to help the states now.

So what’s the hold up?

Many Democrats seem to be falling for right-wing scare tactics about the budget deficit and some are even buying into the ridiculous argument that getting jobless benefits keeps the unemployment rate higher.

But defecits are

Continue reading CALL NOW! The Jobless Can’t Wait Any Longer.

For over a year, JwJ has been sounding the alarm that we are in an economic crisis calling for bold action and that there is no such thing as a “jobless recovery.” But leaders in Washington DC still don’t get it. 

What we really need is a major jobs creation program, but the 15 million jobless Americans need support – NOW!

Tell your Senators to support jobless workers!

There are still nearly 6 people looking for every job opening, and even optimistic projections suggest it will take 5-6 years before the unemployment rate drops to pre-recession levels.  If all the jobless Americans stood shoulder to shoulder, they would stretch across America — twice.

Unless Congress acts, 300,000 people will run out of unemployment benefits next week.  Unless Congress continues jobless benefits, like the subsidy for COBRA payments, 144,000 per month will likely lose health coverage. 

Tell your Senators to act now!

Yesterday, flanked by Cleveland Jobs with Justice activists; including members of the Cleveland Teachers Union (CTU), SEIU Local 1, Workers United, Working America and ATU Local 268, along with fire and police union members, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown announced his intent to introduce the Local Jobs for America Act during the week of June 7th.  Senator Brown’s version of the House Bill would send $75 Billion to local governments and community groups over the next 2 year period. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Mayor Don Plusquellic  of Akron both spoke about the cuts in fire and police forces that have had to endure during this economic downturn.  Teacher Justin Hons, effected by the upcoming teacher layoff in Cleveland and laid off  ATU Local 268 mechanic,  Dennis Pohl both attended the news conference lending support to the bill being introduced by Senator Brown.

Michele Pomerantz,  CTU Trustee and Director of Political Action and Cleveland Jobs with Justice member  said, “today’s announcement gives me hope that better days are

Continue reading Sherrod Brown Will Introduce the Local Jobs for America Act in the Senate

Last night the Senate passed their version of the financial reform bill, bringing the U.S. to the brink of passing the biggest overhaul of financial regulations since the Great Depression.  The New York Times says:

The bill seeks to curb abusive lending, particularly in the mortgage industry, and to ensure that troubled companies, no matter how big or complex, can be liquidated at no cost to taxpayers. And it would create a “financial stability oversight council” to coordinate efforts to identify risks to the financial system. It would also establish new rules on the trading of derivatives and require hedge funds and most other private equity companies to register for regulation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Although this bill is far from perfect, it is a big move in the right direction, and it would not have happened without people like you taking action.  Wall Street has fought this bill every step of the way, spending $1.4 million a day on lobbying.  It was your voices: in the streets, on the phone, and in the mailboxes of your Senators

Continue reading You did it! Senate Passes Financial Reform Bill

Story by Adam Doster.  Originally published on Progress Illinois.

As the U.S. Senate prepares to take up a comprehensive bill to extend the deadline for unemployment benefits through the end of the year, anti-hunger and labor advocates in Chicago want lawmakers to remember just how intensely people are struggling here in the Midwest.

After days of Republican obstruction, the U.S. Senate approved legislation late last night that will extend temporarily the deadline for unemployment benefits. While the end to the stalemate is welcome news, anti-hunger and labor advocates in Chicago aren’t entirely thrilled with the outcome. As the upper chamber prepares to take up a second bill to extend the deadline through the end of the year, these advocates want Senators to remember just how intensely people are struggling here in the Midwest.

This afternoon, Chicago Jobs With Justice (CJWJ) organized a “Senate Soup Kitchen” in Federal Plaza to dramatize the need for relief.  Specifically, the group is demanding federal action to

Continue reading Activists Demand Federal Action At Senate Soup Kitchen

The Jobs with Justice National Week of Action to Save & Create Jobs is underway! 

Over 200,000 jobless workers will lose unemployment benefits this week as the cut-off to extend benefits lapsed yesterday without Senate action.  1.2 million people will lose access to Emergency Unemployment Compensation over the next year if Congress does not act.  The average duration of unemployment is now a record high of 30.2 weeks, with a historic 41.2% of the unemployed remaining out of work for six months or longer. 11.5 million Americans are collecting some form of unemployment insurance. 

1)  Take action today to make sure Congress extends emergency unemployment insurance. 2)  Find an action near you below.

Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senators’ office.

Suggested Talking Points for your call to your Senator:

Millions of Americans are surviving on unemployment insurance and simply can’t find jobs.  It would be irresponsible for Congress to allow benefits to lapse due to inaction.  Enough is enough!  The Senate must extend unemployment insurance through the end of the year.  Support

Continue reading Tell Your Senator to Extend Unemployment Benefits Now!