Press Resources

From NELP:  The Basics of a UI Reform Agenda

From NELP:  What is Unemployment Insurance? 

Sample Press Release

Representative McKeon Sponsors Legislation Extending UI Benefits

House Claims Major Victory in Killing Legislation that Would Reduce UI

Governor Signs Law Extending Unemployment Benefits

Langevin Calls For Extension Of Unemployment Benefits
 

Additional Press Release

Unemployment Rises to 6.4 Percent—Highest Rate of Recession
Bush Administration Has Not Done Enough for Unemployed Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 3, 2003
CONTACT:  Jason Dring, 202-518-8047
Sarah Massey, 212 285 3025 ext 109

WASHINGTON, DC— The Department of Labor reported today the unemployment rate climbed to 6.4 percent in June, the highest level during the current recession.  Over nine million workers in the U.S. are unemployed. 

“This Fourth of July is no holiday for the millions of workers who continue to lose jobs in this economy,” said Andrew Stettner, Policy Analyst at the National Employment Law Project.  "And while the unemployment rate continues to rise, the Bush administration and Congress have provided much stingier jobless benefits than in previous downturns.  We hope today’s numbers will force them to focus on proven ways to alleviate economic hardship, stimulate consumer spending, and get unemployed workers back to work---not gimmicks and rhetoric.”

The increase in joblessness in June brought the unemployment rate to its highest level in more than nine years (March 1994).  Moreover, payroll employment declined by 30,000 jobs in June, a larger decline than in recent months.  There are currently more than two million Americans out of work for more than six months, the first time long-term unemployment has crossed that high water mark in a decade. (December 1992).  The average unemployed worker has been out of work for 19.8 weeks, longer than any period in nearly two decades (January 1984). By all measures, long-term unemployment is as severe now as it was in any of the recessions over the past several decades.

“In recent weeks much attention has been put to scattered signs of economic optimism.  Today’s astonishing jobless report eliminates such hope. Its clear that elevated levels of unemployment are the number one drag on a potential economic recovery,” Mr. Stettner concluded.

One sign of optimism this month is that the number of workers not in the labor force decreased by 360,000.  Almost all of these workers didn’t find work however, and were counted as unemployed. Thus, this Month’s unemployment figures more accurately reflect the worsened job market that Americans have been experiencing for the past year.

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The materials in this package come in large part from the National Employment Law Project.  ALICE would like to thank NELP for mapping the high road by reforming Unemployment Insurance in the states.

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