Jobless Benefits Blocked, Again
December 2, 2010
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Unemployment insurance benefits for some 800,000 unemployed Americans expired Tuesday, November 30, thanks to a Republican-led effort in Congress to block an extension of benefits. An estimated 2 million are expected to lose the much-needed lifeline by the end of this month.
View ‘Fighting for Unemployment Insurance,’ a new IAM video about the fight to preserve jobless benefits.
On Wednesday, more than 300 jobless workers descended upon Washington demanding Congress pass the one-year extension. It was all part of the AFL-CIO’s Unemployment Insurance Lobbying Day. Many more sent emails and made phone calls.
Among those present on Capitol Hill was Union of Unemployed (UCubed) job activist Edrie Irvine. Irvine has been out of work for more than a year.
Unemployment insurance is about “basic survival – putting food on the table, keeping the house warm at night, and making sure there is a house,” said Irvine at a press conference. “Congress, you must listen.”
Click here to tell Congress to extend unemployment benefits today.
Also, we mustn’t forget about the long-term unemployed. Click here to urge Congress to enact a Tier V of benefits for those who have been without work 99 weeks or longer.
