SEIU United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW) Call for Exxon Mobil to Use Record Profits to Create Jobs and Fund Public Services

Protest at Stations around Los Angeles area, including Compton and Florence

LOS ANGELES, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, SEIU United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW) throughout the Los Angeles area protested in front of several Exxon Mobil stations in both Compton and Florence, calling on the company to use its record profits to create jobs and fund public services.

Exxon Mobil earned nearly $10.6 billion the first quarter of 2011, which means the company made $116 million a day.  Yet, the U.S. Senate recently confronted Exxon Mobil executives with the fact that they pay a lower tax rate than the average American.  

"While Exxon Mobil may have been talking about record profits, for most of us in this city the last few years have been more about record unemployment.  People are suffering.  Most people are just fighting to find jobs and pay our bills.  Now, with gas prices so high, it is really difficult," said Rene Gonzalez, Executive Board member, SEIU ULTCW who attended the event.

In Los Angeles County, about 1 in 4 workers report unemployment or under-employment.  In addition, a record state budget deficit now threatens to cut vital services that are so important to some of the city's poorest residents, including programs in education, healthcare and public safety.  

Protesters were also calling for Exxon Mobil to put their profits to good use.

"We want Exxon to know that one week of profits could help thousands of Los Angelenos.  That their money could create more than 2000 green jobs, save childcare for 30,000 Californian children and save the jobs of thousands of teachers by paying off the entire L.A. Unified School District Deficit," said Li Ping Ma, SEIU ULTCW member.  

Contact: Kerry Townsend Jacob, 310-806-0893

SOURCE SEIU United Long Term Care Workers