Initial Unemployment Claims over 480,000 – Highest level since mid-December

February 4, 2010 – More discouraging news for the nation, and particularly for the Nations Unemployed. Not only has long-term unemployment remained at its.. this post has been altered and editted due to database problems….

Update From NELP

The Extension Heats Up

First and foremost, the Senate is ready to introduce a bill that would extend the federal UI programs (EUC, EB and the extra $25 per week) and the COBRA subsidy through the end of May. We are disappointed that it’s not a longer extension and are not going to stop calling for the program to be extended through the end of the year, but this is good news in the short term because it keeps the programs up and running, and guards against 1.2 million people losing their benefits in March alone. The new NELP analysis, released on Thursday, shows that almost 10 million workers will prematurely lose out on their federal benefits if the program is not extended through the year.

Senate leadership is hoping to get the bill to the Senate floor next week, have an expedited debate, and pass it in enough time to get it over the House of Representative so that both Chambers of Congress can pass it before they recess on February 12. This will ensure that the state unemployment offices keep the programs up and running without any interruption.

The Actions You Can Take
We want to make sure that no procedural games or delaying tactics slow down the passage of this bill. Those in favor of the bill need to know that they cannot let anything derail it, and those who are not supportive need to know that NOW is not the time for games or delaying – this bill must pass. Therefore, EVERY Senator needs to hear from his or her constituents one way or another. Make your voice heard by participating in our Action Alert here. Please share this action alert widely with your friends, family and other networks of people concerned with the plight of the unemployed.

The Message: Your Senators need to know:
1. It remains important to extend UI and COBRA through the end of 2010 because we all know that unemployment will remain high throughout the rest of the year;
2. While this bill doesn’t go far enough, at least it keeps the programs up and running – they MUST pass this next week, in time for the House to do the same. You will not accept any procedural maneuvers or games from either party that result in any failure to pass this Bill in a timely fashion;
3. There is NO BETTER economic stimulus for the communities in which you live and that the benefits you receive and spend will both save and create jobs.

Day of Action – next Wednesday, February 10th:
In addition to using the link provided above, we are working closely with the Jobs for American Now coalition, http://www.jobs4americanow.org/ , to organize a National Day of Action to call for a year-long extension of UI and COBRA. We will be posting information on this website and sending you an email with all the information you need to take part in that Day of Action. The over 60 member organization will be working to mobilize unemployed workers and constituencies from around the country and we hope the over 20,000 of you who are members of this website will lend your voices to the campaign.

Posted by Jim Alexander on February 4, 2010. Filed under economic recovery,economy,News,WorldNewsVine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.