WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to refocus Republican lawmakers on the need for job creation, the 2.1 million nurses, janitors, security officers, child care providers and other members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today unveiled a 7-figure ad campaign, including broadcast and cable television, radio, direct mail and phones and online advertising. The ads will run in Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and Virginia, with a special emphasis on African American and Latino media outlets.

Despite an unemployment rate of 9.1 percent --16 percent for African Americans and 11 percent for Latinos -- and as many as 30 million Americans in need of full time work, Republican leaders in Congress have failed to make job creation a priority, focusing instead on rewarding corporations and the rich with tax breaks and incentives to ship jobs overseas.

“Working families are struggling through the worst recession in a generation,” SEIU President Mary Kay Henry said. “Republicans in Congress have a responsibility, and moral obligation, to make job creation their first priority,” she continued.

“Rather than turning their attention to the jobs crisis, Republican leaders are narrowly and exclusively focused on the wealthiest 1% of Americans,” said Brandon Davis, National Political Director, SEIU. “Ignoring the jobs crisis is especially devastating for people of color, considering the unacceptably high employment and unemployment rates for Latinos and African Americans.”

The lesson of the past few days is clear: The American people have lost faith that elected leaders alone will make this happen. Working families in communities across the country are sending a clear message that it's time to focus on job creation," said Henry.

The ads are available online:

• English version: SEIU COPE "Get the Message" (0:30
• Spanish version: SEIU COPE "Es Hora de Crear Empleos" (0:30)

With 2.1 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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