---Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis for Labor Day---
Here is an excerpt from Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis remarks in honor of Labor Day: Over the years, Labor Day may have become a time for backyard barbecues. But the real intent behind today's holiday is honoring the contributions of American workers. Labor Day differs significantly from other holidays. It is devoted to no particular gender, individual, battle or religious observance. Simply put, it's a day shared by all. That's an especially important notion at a time when workers are feeling more anxiety than festivity. With the unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, it is no secret that Americans are facing monumental challenges during this economic crisis. I know that every job lost, every hour cut from the workweek, means another family having to make difficult decisions. That's why we are attacking this problem head-on, and we're beginning to see the tide turn. The Recovery Act, along with a comprehensive set of other economic policies, has helped cushion the blow of this recession and started getting economic activity back on track. We know the tough times are not over. But we also know that without the steps we have already taken, the pain would be far worse. Let's use Labor Day as a day where we all personally commit to play a role in the recovery of our economy and our nation. Let's use the day as an opportunity to mentor a young person, or volunteer at a veterans center or maybe help a friend looking for a job.

Tyler Perry

Russell Simmons

Dr. Ben Chavis

Business World Index

---U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on August employment numbers ---
Here is an excerpt from the remarks of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on the August 2009 Employment numbers: "This past August, the economy lost 216,000 jobs — fewer than what most experts expected. The overall unemployment rate is now 9.7 percent. Last month's jobs loss is an improvement from the average 700,000 jobs our economy was losing every month when this administration took office, but is still by no means acceptable. These numbers are a sobering reminder that our economic conditions continue to cause pain for many Americans and that families are having a difficult time simply covering their daily necessities, much less planning for the future.”

---Go to UnityFirst.com for the following stories---

--- Tyler Perry and Lionsgate team up for the big screen version of the play--- FOR COLORED GIRLS who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf. Click here….

--- Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Valeisha Butterfield, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and Walmart announced the convening of a national Hip-Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment entitled "Get Your Money Right." Click here….

---Unemployed workers are still not finding jobs---
The Economic Policy Institute recently issued a report noting that job loss has slowed, but the unemployed are not finding work. According to the EPI: “Unemployment has more than doubled since its pre-recession low of 4.4% in March 2007,  and has nearly doubled from 4.9% at the start of the recession in December 2007. Furthermore, this recession continues to shatter all records related to length of unemployment spells.  Currently, 5 million workers have been jobless for over six months.  The figure below shows the share of the labor force that has been unemployed for over half a year.  Currently, 3.2% of the labor force has been unemployed for over six months — far surpassing the previous peak of 2.6% set in June of 1983. Currently one-third of this country’s 14.9 million unemployed workers have been unable to find work for over half a year.  Although the employment data released today clearly show that the pace of layoffs is slowing, these unemployment data also show equally clearly that unemployed workers are still not finding jobs. Also worth noting is that the official unemployment count understates the slack in the labor market by counting neither those who want a job but have given up looking for work (“marginally attached”), nor workers who are working but can’t get the full-time hours they want (“involuntary part-time workers”).  There are currently 14.9 million unemployed workers in the United States, but if the marginally attached and involuntary part-time workers are included, the number swells to 26.4 million.  Currently one in six U.S. workers (16.8%) is either un- or underemployed.”

---Demographic shifts in unemployment---
The Economic Policy Institute also noted that: “While all major demographic groups have experienced large increases over the course of the recession, some groups are harder hit by unemployment, namely racial and ethnic minorities, men, workers with lower levels of schooling, and younger workers. 

• In August, unemployment was 15.1% among black workers, 13.0% among Hispanic workers, and 8.9% among white workers (increases of 6.2, 6.8, and 4.5 percentage points, respectively, since the start of the recession).

• Unemployment was 10.9% for men, compared to 8.2% for women (increases of 5.9 and 3.4 percentage points since the start of the recession).

• Unemployment reached 9.7% for high school educated workers, and 4.7% for those with a college degree (increases of 5.1 and 2.6 percentage points, respectively, since the start of the recession).
• Unemployment is 18.2% among workers age 16-24, 8.7% for 25-54 year olds, and 6.8% for those 55 and over (up 6.6, 4.7, and 3.7 percentage points, respectively, since the start of the recession).”