Union Members and Families"Let us never forget: much of what we take for granted -- the 40-hour work week, the minimum wage, health insurance, paid leave, pensions, Social Security, Medicare -- they all bear the union label. It was the American worker -- men and women just like you -- who returned from World War II to make our economy the envy of the world. It was labor that helped build the largest middle class in history. Even if you're not a union member, every American owes something to America's labor movement." -President Barack Obama, September 7, 2009 LATEST »Sí Se Puede: Remembering Cesar ChavezPresident Obama commemorated Cesar Chavez on what would have been his 82nd birthday yesterday. December: 500k Jobs Lost, Unemployment Reaches 7.2%In figures released in the December jobs report by the Labor Department, more than a half million jobs were lost and unemployment spiked to 7.2 percent. Rep. Solis Named Labor Secretary; Fmr. Rep. LaHood to Lead TransportationCalifornia Congresswoman Hilda Solis was named Secretary of Labor, and former Illinois Congressman Ray LaHood was appointed Secretary of Transportation by President-elect Barack Obama at a press conference in Chicago this afternoon. The President-elect also named Karen Mills as Administrator of the Small Business Administration and former Mayor Ron Kirk as United States Trade Representative. Dow Plummets to Lowest Point Since 2004This weekend, campaign advisers to John McCain say they want to 'turn the page' on the economic crisis and explore new depths of dishonorable and sleazy campaigning. This morning, the Dow Jones sank below 10,000 points for the first time in four years. While millions of Americans lose their life savings or retirement funds, John McCain wants to 'turn the page' on the financial crisis. |
