“Americans Will Remember Who Is Responsible for Lost Jobs and Services”

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 18, 2010

Statement of AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee in response to the U.S. Senate’s cloture vote last night on the jobs bill

Washington, DC — “Unless last night’s shortsighted vote is reversed in the coming days, the Senate’s failure to break a Republican filibuster on the jobs bill will put hundreds of thousands of additional Americans out of work. Senators are wrapping a hangman’s noose around state and local governments trying to cope with increasing demand for vital public services during dire economic times. This country’s fragile economy cannot grow if elected officials in Washington refuse to take the action needed to put our country back to work. We intend to make sure that the American people understand what this reckless failure to act will cost in terms of our recovery. Americans will remember who is responsible for lost jobs and services – the Senators who blocked action during an unprecedented fiscal crisis.”

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AFSCME’s 1.6 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations – from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers – AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
1625 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-5687
Telephone (202) 429-1145
Fax (202) 429-1120