With the nation's unemployment rate at 9.1% and zero net job growth in August, a labor and environmental partnership is calling on Congress for investments to create millions of jobs.
U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA14) and the BlueGreen Alliance, a partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations, have introduced the American Energy, Infrastructure and Manufacturing (AIM) Jobs Act. Doyle said AIM focuses on renewable energy, manufacturing and transportation jobs plus modernizing schools, public buildings, homes, and businesses to be more energy efficient. "By providing essential investment and national policies that spur U.S. demand and create good jobs, AIM can promote economic recovery and help struggling workers," Doyle said.
Leo Gerard, United Steelworkers International President and a co-founder of the BlueGreen Alliance, said targeted investments in key industries are already saving and creating jobs. "They have the potential to create millions more," Gerard said. "For America to win the jobs and industries of the future, we need action now."
Doyle said his legislation complements President Obama's American Jobs Act unveiled earlier this month. That plan would cost nearly $450 billion. Neither Doyle nor supporters of his legislation would put an exact figure on the AIM Jobs Act that involves grants, tax credits and loans.
