The Michigan State AFL-CIO Union Label & Service Trades Council is please to announce the 2012 "Renew America Expo" which will be held on June 9, 2012 at the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876 Union Hall in Madison Heights, MI.  This event is open to the public! 

Our goal is to educate citizens about U.S. manufacturing of goods and services. 

We can buy American! 

For more information - click below

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2012

CONTACT:  Sara Metz, 517-449-3786

Benefits could run out within weeks if Congress doesn’t act, cutting lifeline for thousands in Michigan

LANSING – As federal unemployment benefits approach expiration, workers and community members will gather at the offices of eight members of Congress this Friday to call for an extension of this critical lifeline for Michigan families.

In Michigan alone, nearly 80,000 unemployed workers could lose their benefits on March 6 if Congress fails to approve an extension. This assistance is critical to helping families make ends meet during extended periods of joblessness, and House Republicans are proposing costly and burdensome barriers that would make it even harder for jobless Americans to find work.

WHO:  Local workers and community members

WHAT:  Rally at Congressional offices to call for an extension of federal unemployment benefits

WHERE/WHEN:

Rep. Justin Amash: 12pm at the Corner of Ottawa Ave NW and Michigan St NW, Grand Rapids

Rep. Dan Benishek: 12pm at 307 S. Front St., Marquette

Rep. Dave Camp: 12pm at 135 Ashman St, Midland

Rep. Bill Huizenga: 4pm at 900 Third St, Ste 203, Muskegon

Rep. Candice Miller: 12pm at 48701 Van Dyke, Shelby Twp

Rep. Mike Rogers: 12pm at 1000 W St Joseph, Ste 300, Lansing

Rep. Fred Upton: 12pm at 157 S Kalamazoo Mall, Ste 180, Kalamazoo

Rep. Tim Walberg: 12pm at 800 W Ganson, Jackson

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The Michigan 2012 Jobs Agenda already has strong support from labor, progressive and community service organizations.

Now we need your help to make sure Lansing politicians start standing up for Michigan’s middle class families. Click here to show your support!

On Thursday, January 12, 2012 Michigan State AFL-CIO President Karla Swift joined workers and citizens groups from around the state to unveil an aggressive plan to hold legislators accountable for creating good-paying jobs, rebuilding the state’s crumbling infrastructure, making sure all of Michigan’s children have access to a good education, and helping unemployed workers get back on their feet. This document, entitled “Michigan’s 2012 Jobs Plan,” provides a roadmap for rebuilding the state’s economy by investing in Michigan’s workers, families, and communities. 

Download the full plan to learn more about some of the steps that should be taken now to create opportunities, drive innovation, and get Michigan back on track.

Karla Swift, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO delivers a heartfelt speech about how the rights of workers have been threatened, attacked, and dismantled due to pushes from the right to destroy the safety nets put in place to keep Michigan employees safe, healthy, and paid respectably for the hard work they put in each and every day on the job.

View the speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSVnqlv_soc