US Workers Need A Public Jobs Program!

The following is a speech delivered at the 4th Annual HKonJ in Raleigh on February 27, 2010

My name is Ajamu Dillahunt. I am an Outreach Coordinator at the North Carolina Justice Center and a member of the Black Workers for Justice. I am here to say, WE NEED JOBS and WE NEED THEM NOW! What do we need? When do we need them?

All across the country and everywhere in this state our communities are in deep pain.  Devastating job losses, growing foreclosures and the loss of programs and services is making this recession a depression for many of us.  Like Gil Scott Heron said: “It’s Winter in America.”

If this is state of emergency then we need bold and quick action. There is a precedent. The Work Projects Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created by the Roosevelt Administration are examples of the audacious steps that must be taken.

What we need is a massive public jobs program that quickly, and I mean quickly creates millions of jobs rebuilding our communities and restoring services.  Newly employed workers can repair and rehab schools and other public buildings.  They can work with childcare and early childhood centers and Senior’s centers. They can plant community gardens and weatherize homes in our communities. This is the time to really concentrate on green jobs and energy. 

It goes without saying; these workers must have health insurance. With 1.4 million north Carolinians still uninsured, we have to cover these workers IMMEDIATELY and continue a serious fight for REAL Health Care reform.

This is also the time to make sure that thousands of ex-offenders in our communities get work too.

 

The Senate bill is not enough.  Tax incentives to businesses are not enough. It will not be fast enough and it will not generate the 2 million jobs that we must have.

Congress must put millions to work IMMEDIATELY. We fought in the 1960’s for what we needed. We fought in 2008 for Change we needed.  And we have to fight, and I mean fight, today to make sure it happens.  Our job is to push ALL of our elected officials to support meaningful legislation coming out of D.C.

 

North Carolina is hurting. So we need a Jobs Summit. The Governor and legislators need to hear from those who go to be bed every night worried about how they will pay their bills, keep their home or apartment or see a doctor if they become ill.

They must tell their stories. They, along with advocates, the governor’s staff and legislators can come up with a jobs program to stop the pain.

Forward to a North Carolina Jobs Summit!

Create a Public Jobs Program Now!