'Chairman Bernanke should implement new reforms at the Federal Reserve to rein in Wall Street and speed up our economic recovery,' says SEIU's Anna Burger

WASHINGTON, DC--Today, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) issued the following statement of Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger following the Senate's confirmation of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke:

President Obama made it clear last night that every leader in Washington must roll up their sleeves and get to work on building an economy that once again puts the shared prosperity of all before the profits of a few.

"To assist in these efforts, Chairman Bernanke should implement new reforms at the Federal Reserve to rein in Wall Street and speed up our economic recovery. We call on the Federal Reserve to:

• Commit to playing its role in comprehensive financial reform, which includes a strong and independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency;
• Ensure transparency and accountability of Federal Reserve decisions and the Federal Reserve governing system to prevent the financial system from wreaking havoc on our economy; and
• Fulfill its dual mission of achieving maximum employment and price stability."

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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