Mcnerney Statement on Job Loss Announcement

Statement

MCNERNEY STATEMENT ON JOB LOSS ANNOUNCEMENT

This morning, the Labor Department released new figures showing that 533,000 Americans were laid off last month, the largest one month drop in 34 years. Locally, AT&T and Washington Mutual announced additional layoffs. In response, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) released the following statement.

"The announcement today that employers cut over half a million jobs last month is staggering. That's the largest one month drop in 34 years.

"That grim news comes on top of yesterday's statement that AT&T is laying off 12,000 employees. Although there has not been a specific announcement about AT&T's San Ramon facilities, with half of the company's Bay Area employees located there, it's likely the impact will be felt locally.

"These job losses are more than just big numbers. Each job loss represents a crisis for families and neighborhoods across our district and our country. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who are losing their jobs. Unfortunately, as we're in the midst of the holiday season, the timing could not be worse.

"Too many people are now being hurt by the greatest economic crisis we have faced in a generation. We have got to move forward quickly with economic recovery legislation to put people back to work. We can invest in improving our aging roads and bridges, help states avoid deep cuts to services, and build renewable energy infrastructure and clean power capacity - putting people to work."

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