99% Movement In Triangle Rallies To Cause Of Extending U.I.

NC State AFL-CIO, PO Box 10805, Raleigh, NC 27605

Press Advisory for December 8, 2011

Contact: Jeremy Sprinkle, Communications Director, 919-833-6678, [email protected];

99% MOVEMENT IN TRIANGLE RALLIES TO CAUSE OF EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Workers, students, and community activists call on Rep. Ellmers to extend critical lifeline before years’ end at 9:00am on Thursday, December 8

Clayton, N.C. – Workers, students, and community activists will join unemployed constituents to demonstrate for the extension of unemployment insurance outside of the ESC JobLink office in Clayton this Thursday, December 8. For jobless North Carolinians and local communities hit hard by long-term unemployment, extended unemployment insurance is a lifeline that is set to expire at the end of December unless Congress takes action.

Our event Thursday is part of a nationwide mobilization to call attention to the ongoing jobs crisis and to urge Congress to take immediate action and extend unemployment benefits. If Congress fails to act by December 31, 69,700 unemployed North Carolinians will start the New Year losing the only thing keeping them and their families from falling into poverty.

But jobless workers will not be the only losers if unemployment insurance is not extended. In North Carolina, the loss to communities like ours could total a staggering $20,275,730 a week. That’s because the average weekly benefit in our state of $290.90 gets pumped directly back into the economy, paying for groceries, gas, housing, and utilities. In fact, for every $1 spent on unemployment insurance, our economy grows by $2.

Rep. Renee Ellmers has a choice to make. Will she stand by the thousands of North Carolinians struggling to find work in an economy with four job seekers for every one job opening? Or will Rep. Ellmers focus on keeping tax cuts for the 1% who are not suffering?

What: Information picket to highlight urgent need for Rep. Ellmers to extend federal unemployment insurance currently set to expire Dec. 31st.

When: Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 9:00 AM.

Where: Outside the ESC JobLink office in Rep. Renee Ellmers' district, Clayton Corners Shopping Center, 11671 US Highway 70, Clayton, NC 27520.

Why: Rep. Ellmers has a choice to make - help the 99% by extending unemployment insurance or keep tax cuts for the 1%, and time is running out.

Who: AFL-CIO, Triangle Labor Council, Occupy supporters, and community activists.

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