For the first time in nearly a decade, working men and women have a seat at the table.

AFL-CIO and AFT leaders were invited to join economic experts and business leaders at the Dec. 3 White House Jobs Summit convened by President Obama. The goal: to share ideas on how to spur job growth.

The summit was held as the country’s unemployment rate was a staggering 10.2 percent and forecasters didn’t see the situation getting any better in the near future. The day after the summit, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that workers without a high school diploma are unemployed at a rate of 15 percent, while women-headed households have an 11.4 percent unemployment rate. For black and Hispanic workers, the unemployment rate is 15.6 percent and 12.7 percent, respectively.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka’s message to the president was straightforward: More than 15 million unemployed Americans want jobs, and they want them now. In a breakout session, “Encouraging Business Competitiveness and Job Creation,” Trumka shared the AFL-CIO’s five-point plan for immediate job creation. The plan includes increasing aid to state and local governments to maintain vital services, creating jobs by repairing and building infrastructure, and putting Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds to work for Main Street, not Wall Street.

“America’s jobs situation would be even more dire without the economic stimulus program President Obama and Congress enacted, which has saved or created one million jobs,” Trumka said. “But the depth of this crisis demands that we do more—and that we do it now, before more people lose their jobs, their homes, their health care and their hope.”

A more detailed look at the AFL-CIO’s plan can be found at www.aflcio.org. There are also links to e-letters urging Congress to act quickly to implement the plan.

Meanwhile, AFT President Randi Weingarten drove home the point that students don’t get a second chance because the economy is bad—and they need their teachers in the classrooms, not on the unemployment lines.

“By convening this important jobs summit, President Obama showed he clearly understands the vital role that job creation and preservation play in calming the troubled economic waters,” Weingarten said.

State and local officials, civic organizations and citizens around the country will have a chance to weigh in following community-based jobs summits.

As The Voice went to press, President Obama was awaiting further input before unveiling his latest plan to accelerate job growth.

— Karen L. Mattison