Remarks by R. Thomas Buffenbarger at the No Limits Public Policy Conference

On the heels of news that U.S. unemployment had climbed to the highest rate since April 1983, the president of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today likened the crisis to ‘Midnight in America.’

It’s ‘Midnight in America’ says IAM President

Washington, D.C., November 6, 2009 – On the heels of news that U.S. unemployment had climbed to the highest rate since April 1983, the president of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today likened the crisis to ‘Midnight in America.’

It’s ‘Midnight in America’ says IAM President

It’s ‘Midnight in America’ says IAM President

Washington, D.C., November 6, 2009 – On the heels of news that U.S. unemployment had climbed to the highest rate since April 1983, the president of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today likened the crisis to ‘Midnight in America.’

Stimulus Program Shows Initial Results

The $787 stimulus package passed earlier this year is being credited with creating or saving over 640,000 jobs, most in education and construction. A great start, says IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, but far from the kind of recovery American families are in need of now.

The Geography of a Recession

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 31 million people currently unemployed.

Jobless in America: Is Double-Digit Unemployment Here to Stay?

BY JOSHUA COOPER RAMO

TIME.com

The American economy is shedding jobs.  Can we fix it?

The Decline: The Geography of a Recession

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 31 million people currently unemployed -- that's including those involuntarily working part-time and those who want a job, but have given up on trying to find one.

GOP Delays Unemployment Extension

More than 400,000 Americans exhausted their unemployment benefits on October 1, 2009. That number is expected to reach over a million by the end of the year. Still, a small minority of Republican Senators are playing politics with a compromise bill that would extend benefits for those individuals and their families.

AFL-CIO Leaders Endorse Boeing Tanker Bid

Boeing's bid for the Air Force's $35 billion aerial refueling tanker contract is the clear choice for investing in American workers, skills, security and future, according to the presidents of 10 AFL-CIO state federations in a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates. “Given the current state of the U.S. economy, taxpayer dollars shouldn't be funding the economic growth of European countries.

AFL-CIO Leaders Endorse Boeing Tanker Bid

Boeing's bid for the Air Force's $35 billion aerial refueling tanker contract is the clear choice for investing in American workers, skills, security and future, according to the presidents of 10 AFL-CIO state federations in a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates. “Given the current state of the U.S. economy, taxpayer dollars shouldn't be funding the economic growth of European countries.

Paul Krugman Q&A on Economy

New York Times columnist Paul Krugman recently opened an online forum for readers to submit questions on the economy. The website was so overwhelmed with inquiries, the Times had to shut the forum down in less than 24 hours.

Budget, Tax, and Economic Policy

Budget, Tax, and Economic Policy

Media Shifts Focus to Jobs Crisis

The need for jobs and our nation’s leaders to address the growing unemployment crisis head-on, without further delay, has dominated headlines in The New York Times in recent days.

The G.O.P. Campaign Message in a Word: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

The G.O.P. Campaign Message in a Word: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

For President Obama and his party, last week brought another stiff dose of pain: the announcement of 263,000 more jobs lost, while unemployment ticked up to 9.8 percent.

Wanted: Leadership on Jobs

Wanted: Leadership on Jobs

By every meaningful measure, the weak job market deteriorated further in September. Federal stimulus spending has prevented an even worse decline. But that is cold comfort for the tens of millions of working men and women for whom conditions are bleak and getting bleaker, and for the millions more who are destined to lose their jobs — or to have their hours and compensation cut — in the months and years to come.

Poll: Creating New Jobs Trumps Fixing Deficit

With unemployment at the highest rate in 26 years, most Americans want the government to create more jobs before it worries about the deficit.

A new survey of public views of the economy, released today by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), shows more than eight of 10 Americans (83 percent) see unemployment as a big problem today.

Washington Doesn't Get It: We Need More Jobs

Nowhere is the massive disconnect between Washington D.C. and the rest of the country more striking than when it comes to the issue of jobs.

Inside Washington, it is almost universally considered a foregone conclusion that unemployment will remain near, at, or even above 10 percent -- not just for months, but for years to come...

G.E. Ignored Offers to Save Albuquerque Engine Plant

The IAM this week accused General Electric Aviation with failing to seriously consider viable proposals that would have preserved the G.E. Aviation facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Despite a legal obligation to weigh alternatives, it is clear the decision by G.E. to close this plant was made long ago,” said Ernest “Red” Dow, Local 794 President and Directing Business Representative. “G.E never expressed the slightest interest in proposals or possible partnerships that could have kept this facility open and operating in Albuquerque.”

Faces of the Unemployed

While the U. S. Economy struggles through the worst economic recession since the great depression.  Many Americans face some of the worse decisions of their lives.  In this special report we give you their stories, their struggles for they are the faces of the unemployed.

Executive Pay Cuts Could Save Connecticut Jobs

After battling for months with Pratt & Whitney over ways to save more than 1,000 jobs at two facilities in Connecticut, the IAM welcomed a suggestion by Connecticut Treasurer Denise Nappier to cut executive pay as a means to keep Pratt’s Cheshire and East Hartford operations open.

U.S. House Passes Extended Unemployment Benefits

With job losses continuing and long-term unemployment reaching the highest level since 1948, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act (H.R. 5749) by a vote of 331-83.

G.E. Balks at Talks to Save New Mexico Jobs

In a move that underscores General Electric’s desire to close a jet engine facility in Albuquerque, NM, the company has refused thus far to extend the 60-day “meet and confer” period designed to find ways to keep the facility open. The 40-year old plant is responsible for more than 1,300 local jobs and generates more than $30 million in annual economic activity.

Minorities Bearing Recession’s Brunt

The issues of poverty and race took center stage at the 39 th Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) this week.

Global Federations Demand Action on Jobs Crisis

As leaders from across the world prepare for the upcoming G20 summit in Pittsburgh, PA, three Global Union Federations, representing 55 million industrial workers, are calling on the economic powers to focus on the worldwide jobs crisis.

IAM Exhibit Highlights Human Cost of Unemployment

For many people, unemployment numbers are abstract statistics. But for the people who are laid off, it’s a grim reality of no paycheck, no health care, skimpy unemployment benefits and a bleak job market.