Recognizing and supporting SEIU 32 BJ and their "Good Jobs, Strong Communities" Campaign.

WHEREAS, Our nation is going through one of the most difficult economic times in its history and despite a few signs of an economic recovery, economic conditions remain difficult for families and communities; and

WHEREAS, The unemployment rate in the City of Philadelphia metropolitan statistical area is 10.7%, Pennsylvania's First Congressional District is the hungriest congressional district of any major city in the nation, where 27% of adults and 35% of children of Philadelphia lives in poverty; and

WHEREAS, Working families are increasingly forced to rely upon public assistance to meet basic needs, creating barriers to healthcare and many households are headed by single working mothers; and

WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia has consistently supported the creation of good jobs and has through legislation ensured that City vendors provide a living wage and is working to establish a sick leave standard; and

WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia resolved on Thursday, September 22, 2011 to support President Obama's urgent American Jobs Act and called upon Mayor Nutter to establish complimentary job creation programs at the local level; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia City Council believes that employers in the City of Philadelphia can also play an important role in creating and maintaining good jobs in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The City Council of Philadelphia believes the economic success of our City is vital to the economic prosperity of our Commonwealth, the region and our nation; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, The Philadelphia City Council calls on employers to join us in committing to create and sustain good jobs in Philadelphia and strengthen our community by providing family-sustaining wages and guaranteeing access to quality affordable health care that ensures workers do not need to turn to public programs funded by taxpayer dollars.

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