Statement by International Union of Painters and Allied Trades General President James Williams on President Obama's Jobs Plan

HANOVER, Md., Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades are encouraged by the tone of President Obama's speech last night, and that he challenged Congress to address the unemployment crisis facing our members and their families, along with so many other Americans.  Nowhere is this crisis being felt more than in the construction industry where the lack of jobs remains at historical highs.  The American Jobs Act offers incentives for businesses to hire, pumps $90 billion into the stagnated construction industry, and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs for our members - America's building and construction industry.

This is a nation built by craftsmen and craftswomen.  A nation forged by the hard work of working Americans.  We are struggling right now because we are not building, and we are not forging ahead.  President Obama has put forth a plan that will help restore confidence in our economy and return us to building a better, stronger nation.  We call on Congress to act and act quickly and decisively.  We look forward to working with this administration and Congress on all elements of this proposal.

The American people want elected leaders, members of Congress, to lead.  In this economic crisis, it is time for our elected leaders to follow unemployment lines, not party lines.  The time to step up, work together and lead is now.

The men and women of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades stand ready to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle who are ready to stand with us and get America working again.

SOURCE International Union of Painters and Allied Trades