SEIU Leader to Discuss How Ineffective Bailout Policies Impacting Working Families

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR: CONTACT: Kawana Lloyd, SEIU, 202-730-7087

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

SEIU Leader to Discuss How Ineffective Bailout Policies Impacting Working Families

Progressive Economists and Labor Leaders Participate in Economic Panel Examining Wasted Taxpayer Dollars and Calling for a New Financial Model

WASHINGTON, DC — As the U.S. budget deficit nears $1 trillion and estimates on bailout costs for the financial industry continue to rise, Anna Burger, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer and member of President Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, will explore what’s at stake for America’s working families.

Burger will discuss how changes in the American banking industry in recent years have impacted workers and communities of color, the political and economic stakes of financial industry reform now, problems with current approaches, and key considerations in the path forward.

“People have been feeling robbed at every turn by the big banks for years now,” Burger says. “There’s zero patience for anything that looks or sounds like more of the same.”

The panel, which includes labor leaders and progressive economists, is part of the half-day Lifting the TARP conference examining solutions to the TARP/TALF approach to rescue the nation’s financial system.

WHO: Anna Burger, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer and member of President Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board,

James Carr, Chief Operating Officer, National Community Reinvestment Act

Rob Johnson, former Managing Director, Soros Funds

WHAT: “Examining the Flaws in the TARP/TALF Model;” Lifting the TARP conference

WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 2009; 9:00- 10:30 AM (Panel 1)

WHERE: Washington Court Hotel, Atrium Ballroom;

525 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

*To register, contact Jinny Khanduja at 212.389.1399 or jkhanduja@demos.org

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With 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.