Making Good Jobs Our National Priority

FIGHT FOR A FAIR ECONOMY ● SEIU

Background

The “Fight for a Fair Economy” was adopted by the SEIU Executive Board In January 2011

WHY

• It’s not enough to have economists, pundits, and public opinion on our side.

• We need to put people in the streets.

HOW

• Activate the troops (our members)

• Work with community groups and allies

• Build grassroots organization in key cities & states

August Recess

GOALS

• Vocal opposition to Republican agenda

• Visible public demand for jobs, not cuts

ACTIONS

• Mobilize unemployed folks

• Seek meetings with MOCs

• Speak out at town halls

• Protest at home offices

• Stage rallies & demonstrations

August Recess

RESULTS

• More than 400 events in 32 states

• At least 85 Members of Congress

Including key Senators (e.g., Brown, Toomey) and House Rs in swing districts, e.g., Reps. Barletta (PA-11), Bass (NH-2), Buerkle (NY-25), Chabot (OH-1), Cravaack (MN-8), Heck (NV-3), Lungren (CA-3), other

• More than 500 news stories

• National coverage on CNN, MSNBC, networks, NPR, New York Times, Washington Post, Politico, The Hill, blogs

August Recess

MESSAGE DELIVERED

• Jobs are America’s #1 priority

• Hands off our Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security

• Make corporations and the richpay their fair share of taxes

MOCs who refused to meet with constituents – or only with those willing to pay a fee – wound up in the media spotlight

What Next?

• Build on the momentum

• Generate enthusiasm for tangible infrastructure and other job creating bills

• Get ready to mobilize around congressional calendar/activity SuperCommittee Job creation and revenue proposals UI extension

• Plan actions to demonstrate increasing urgency and militancy

Fall 2011

GOALS

• Minimize impact of SuperCommittee cuts

• Win support for job creation/revenues

• Set the stage for 2012

KEY DISTRICTS

• Republican House Members & Senators

• SuperCommittee Members

• Iowa, New Hampshire

• Major cities

Fall 2011

‘WORK THAT NEEDS DOING’

• Organize unemployed, working poor, students, others to send a message to Congress with photos of crumbling roads, bridges, schools, etc.

• Engage state/local community and political leaders

ACTIONS

• Home visits/protests during Oct./Sept. recesses

• Rallies and actions at infrastructure sites

• Special focus on bridges

• Tent City on Capitol Hill (December)

Job Creation& Revenue Strategies

Policy Ideas

REBUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE• Fix America’s Schools Today

$100 billion over two years 500,000 jobs/year for two years

• Surface Transportation $556 billion over 6 years

(gas tax will pay for $456 billion) 117,000 jobs/year for three years

• Building Efficiency $200 billion 2.1 million jobs

TOTAL JOBS: 3 million over 6 yearsTOTAL COST: $400 billion/6 years

NEW REVENUES

• Financial Speculation Tax

• $900 billion over 6 years

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Policy Ideas

DELIVERING VITAL SERVICES

• Put America to Work (Rep. Ellison) $350 billion over two years 2.1 million jobs in 2012, 1.5 million in 2013

• Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream (Rep. Schakowsky) $213 billion over 2 years 2.2 million jobs over two years

TOTAL JOBS: 4 million over 2 yearsTOTAL COST: up to $350 billion/2 years

NEW REVENUES• Warren

Buffet’s Millionaire Surtax

• Eliminate corporate tax breaks for offshoring jobs

• $364 billion over 10 years

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Policy Ideas

SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN CRISIS• One Year UI Safety Net Extension

$60 billion/year Saves 700,000 jobs

• Refundable Income Tax Credit $112 billion per year Support 1 million jobs

• Mandatory Mortgage Modification Supports 1 million jobs (no cost)

• Mortgage Refinancing Up to 248,000 jobs (no cost)

TOTAL JOBS: 2.9 million /year TOTAL COST: $172 billion/year

NEW REVENUES

• End tax breaks & accounting schemes for oil companies

• Tax hedge fund managers as ordinary income

• $160 billion over 10 years

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Policy Ideas

PREVENTING LAYOFFS

• Worksharing Incentives $4.5 billion 1 million more employed over next year

• Direct Aid to States (increase federal Medicaid matching rate) $42 billion Create or save 444,000 jobs

TOTAL JOBS: 1.44 million saved/createdTOTAL COST: $47 billion next year

NEW REVENUES• Close the

“GE Capital” tax loophole (for leasing-related profits of corporate offshore subsidiaries)

• $60 billion over 10 years

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