Washington, DC -- Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement in response to the latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the need to address the growing job crisis for African American workers:

The national unemployment rate rose slightly to 9.2 last month, but for African Americans, the unemployment rate is still above 16 percent--a deplorable jobless rate that goes beyond depression levels and is far more devastating to communities who want nothing more than a better future for themselves and their children.

"Entire African American communities--millions of hard working, middle class families-- are losing ground with no end in sight. Detroit's black unemployment rate is nearly 30 percent, Milwaukee is at 22 percent; Cleveland at nearly 20 percent and Miami at more than 17 percent and Philadelphia at 15 percent.

"These numbers are unacceptable and demonstrate the need to balance the economy by creating good, secure jobs that can support families who want nothing more than a better future for themselves and their children.

"Meanwhile, CEOs at the nation's largest companies like Exxon Mobil and JPMorgan Chase received 23 percent raises last year and some members of Congress are determined to hand big corporations $4 trillion in tax breaks , including $1.5 trillion to businesses like Koch Industries, who use their personal fortunes to fund campaigns against workers and the middle class.

"African Americans who work as nurses, corrections officers, teachers and who provide other critical public services at the state and local levels are an important part of the nation's middle class and carry the burden of unshared sacrifice. And, while the rich get richer, too many families in communities of color are losing hope for getting out of debt, owning a home, retiring with dignity and giving their children a better life than they had.

"Our number one priority should be putting people back to work, especially in communities where joblessness is at critical levels. We need jobs-good jobs that all working people can raise their families on and that turn our country around."

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