Extend Unemployment Benefits for the 99er's Rally

Jobs Now – Extend Unemployment to the 99er's

Rally and Press Conference
Monday, January 10, 10am
Director's Park – SW 8th and Yamhill

Join us as we rally for extension of unemployment benefits for the millions of 99er's – those who have been unemployed for more than 99 weeks and have lost their benefits.   Congress needs to act now to create jobs, help those of us without jobs and strengthen the safety net.

Portland Jobs with Justice and the Sunnyside Self-Help Employment Group call on members of Congress to extend unemployment benefits to include the “99er’s,” those millions of people who are still without a job after the 99 week maximum of unemployment insurance has ended. Tens of thousands of Oregonians will lose benefits this Spring.
 
Additionally, we call on Congress to endorse existing jobs bills and promptly initiate the massive public works program that is needed to fix the economy, repair our infrastructure and do so as much as possible in a green and sustainable manner.

 “I have reached the 99 week limit on benefits and I am without an income,” said Loren Spencer of Portland.  “I desperately want to work, but there just aren't enough jobs. Recently there was an opening at a new store that offered 1,000 jobs and over 100,000 applied! This is much worse than the government statistic of 1 job to every 5 job seekers. While the President and Congress extended the Bush tax cuts to the rich, myself and millions of other working people have been left out in the cold. I'm concerned that I won't be able to put a roof over my head, and congress is talking about taking away safety net benefits from those who most desperately need them. We need a federal jobs program since big business is no longer interested in investing in our economy."