UI Lobby Day! $405 is NOT ENOUGH!

New York Working Families Deserve Extended Benefits!

** Tuesday, May 12th, Albany NY **

In this economy, Unemployment Insurance is more important than ever. Join us on Tuesday, May 12^th in Albany as we visit our elected leaders and let them know why a better UI system is good for working families, and good for New York!

Unemployment has been skyrocketing in New York - with nearly 766,000 workers out of a job, more families than ever are counting on UI to help them make it through this tough economy.Yet, in New York, adjusted for cost-of-living, benefits are woefully low - working families can receive a maximum of only $405 per week - and too many workers are left out of the program altogether.

And, with our unemployment rate remaining at a staggering 7.8 percent for the last two months, thousands of workers are about to run out of their benefits without a further extension.

So, what can we do?

Legislation has been introduced both the Assembly and the Senate which would raise the maximum benefit and benefit levels for lower-wage workers, allow more workers to enter the program, and enable New York to receive an additional 13 weeks of federally-funded Extended Benefits. We need to let leaders in Albany know this legislation in crucial to working families in New York, particularly as it becomes harder and harder to find a job!

Join us tomorrow, May 12^th, as we visit our elected leaders in Albany and let them know we care about the UI safety net for working families in NY!

PLEASE ACT NOW! Click HERE to contact your assembly member on UI reform.

We'll be meeting at the AFL-CIO Conference Room at 11:00am before heading out to meet with various elected officials for the day. All transportation costs (train / subway, travel to Albany) will be covered, and meals will be provided. If you're leaving from the NYC area, we will provide transportation from our office, leaving at 8am. See below for more details about travel and meeting places.

Please contact Christine, at criordan@nelp.org or 212.285.3025 ext.302, if you're able to attend or would like more information. Click here for a UI Lobby Day flyer. We hope to see you there!

Travel and Meeting Details:

In Albany, we will be meeting at the AFL-CIO Conference Room, 100 South Swan St, at 11:00am.

If you're leaving from the NYC Area, we can provide transportation. Meet at the NELP Office at 8:00 AM - the office is located at 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 601, at Maiden Lane and William St. You can get to our office on the following MTA Subway lines: A, C (Broadway-Nassau); 2, 3, 4, 5 (Fulton St.); or J, M, Z (Broad Street). Please RSVP so that we can accommodate those wishing to attend who need transportation.

Legislation Basics:

• Raises the maximum UI benefit incrementally over a number of years, and provides for automatic adjustment with wages by 2013.

• Provides higher benefits for low-wage working families.

• Provides benefits for educational workers, workers who leave their jobs due to domestic violence, and long-term unemployed workers who are in job retraining.

• Makes New York's UI system more sustainable through better financing.

• Provides an additional 13 weeks of federally-funded Extended Benefits for families who are exhausting all current benefits and extensions available.

Relevant Bills: UI Reform: A8013/S4053, A8100/S2245; Extended Benefits: A8013, A8100, S4110

LET THE REVOLUTION BEGIN!

Thanks for all you do!
Live your values. Love your country.
And, remember: TOGETHER, We can make a DIFFERENCE!

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