Saunders: Elected leaders must not become complacent as COVID cases surge

WASHINGTON — In response to the June jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement:

“Today’s job numbers reveal only part of the catastrophic economic and health situation facing the nation – particularly for Americans who rely on essential public services such as health care, emergency response, sanitation and water treatment.

“The state and local budgets that fund these services are past their breaking point. Skyrocketing cases and resulting job losses from states reversing their reopening plans make the need even more urgent. This crisis is also widening the economic gap for people of color as unemployment among Black men has now hit its highest point in the recession.

“The Senate must approve at least $1 trillion to help states, cities, towns and schools to protect essential public services the minute they return from their July 4th vacation.”