WASHINGTON, DC - Following today's meeting with President Obama, Secretary Solis and fellow labor leaders, SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry issued the following statement:

Today, more than 15 million Americans remain unemployed. Creating jobs is the single most pressing issue facing our nation today and our economy will never fully recover unless we put people back to work.

"President Obama led today's meeting by stating that economic growth and jobs are the number one priority for our country and his administration. Our President remains deeply committed to the well-being of all working people and today he called upon us to help get our country back to work.

"When the banks were in trouble the American people bailed them out. Now American workers are in crisis and we need to move swiftly to get the private sector back in the business of creating jobs."

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.

"

###