74,600 Unemployed Pennsylvanians to Lose Unemployment Insurance Lifeline Unless Congress Acts Before January 1st

New state by state numbers show the devastating impact on Pennsylvania jobless workers

http://uistories.aflcio.org/PA

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As families prepare for the holiday, a new report released by the AFL-CIO shows that 74,600 unemployed Pennsylvanians will lose their unemployment benefits on December 31st if Congress fails to act to extend unemployment insurance. 

"Our message to all members of Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation is do not leave Pennsylvania's unemployed families out in the cold this holiday season. Pass the extension now so that these families will have some sense of economic security and peace of mind during the holidays and in the New Year," Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale said.

"Only Scrooge would oppose or vote against this lifeline for Pennsylvania's unemployed working families. Shame on any member of Congress who prioritizes tax cuts for the richest 1 percent over the needs of Pennsylvania's unemployed families, especially during the holidays, a season of good-will toward all," Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder added.

In Pennsylvania as well as across the country, jobless workers and their communities will be holding prayer vigils on Thursday, December 8 to call attention to the ongoing jobs crisis and to urge Congress to take immediate action and extend unemployment benefits. Events can be viewed by logging onto: (www.paaflcio.org) click on "America Wants to Work".

According to the report, young people and people of color will be disproportionately impacted if benefits are cut.  Here in Pennsylvania the unemployment rate for young people 20 to 24 years old is 16.8 percent, for African Americans it is 16.2 percent, and Latinos 15.5 percent. 

The average benefit provided by the federal extension amounts to $296 a week, which covers a family's minimum expenses for survival. That money is pumped directly back into the local economy when jobless workers pay for groceries, transportation, utilities, and housing. Currently, 1 in 1,525 homes in Pennsylvania face foreclosure and the problem will only worsen if federal unemployment insurance extension is not passed.

"With 1 job opening for about every 5 jobseekers and the continued obstruction of job creating legislation, conservatives in Congress and their special interest friends have placed working families in an impossible situation," Bloomindale said. "If they truly prioritize the needs of Pennsylvanians over tax cuts for the richest 1 percent, they will act now to pass the unemployment insurance benefit extension." 

To view the full data and stories of unemployed workers in Pennsylvania visit: http://uistories.aflcio.org/Pa

SOURCE Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

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