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 rich
pay 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 years
TOTAL COST: $400 billion/6 years
1
NEW
REVENUES
• Financial
Speculation
Tax
• $900 billion
over 6 years
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 years
TOTAL COST: up to $350 billion/2 years
2
NEW
REVENUES
• Warren
Buffet’s
Millionaire
Surtax
• Eliminate
corporate tax
breaks for
offshoring
jobs
• $364 billion
over 10
years
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
3
NEW
REVENUES
• End tax
breaks &
accounting
schemes for
oil companies
• Tax hedge
fund
managers
as ordinary
income
• $160 billion
over 10 years
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/created
TOTAL COST: $47 billion next year
4
NEW
REVENUES
• Close the
“GE Capital”
tax loophole
(for leasingrelated
profits of
corporate
offshore
subsidiaries)
• $60 billion
over 10
years