West Virginia AFL-CIO, others launch campaign to protect jobs

[Omaha Steve]

http://wvgazette.com/News/200812190642

By Paul J. Nyden
Staff writer

The West Virginia AFL-CIO hosted a meeting in Charleston on Friday morning to launch a statewide campaign to improve the economy.

The state's labor federation is part of West Virginians United for Social and Economic Justice, a coalition of religious, labor, professional and community groups.

Kenny Perdue, president of the state AFL-CIO, said he hopes President-elect Barack Obama promotes major plans to save jobs in the country.

"It is a shame to give billions to investment firms, insurance companies and the banking industry, but then play politics with the auto industry."

The new group plans to hold town-hall meetings in Charleston and other locations around the state in January.

On Friday morning, weeks after Congress and the White House agreed to give $700 billion in bailouts to banks and insurance companies, President Bush announced he will also give the troubled domestic auto industry $13.4 billion in short-term loans, which could be increased by $4 billion early next year.

FULL story at link.