Labor Updates (2/8/08)

Senate Republicans Block Extension of Benefits for Workers: A proposed $158 billion Senate economic stimulus package – that would have increased extension of unemployment benefits and tax rebates to cover more workers –  was blocked by Republican Senators Wednesday, reports Mike Hall on the AFL-CIO Now Weblog. “This is disgraceful and shows Senate Republicans do not care about those most affected by the impending recession,” says Metro Council President Jos Williams. Williams joined Senate Democrats Monday to voice his support for the legislation (Williams Joins Push for Extended Unemployment Benefits 2/5/08 UC). The Senate will try to add the unemployment benefits and tax rebate extensions back into the House stimulus package but “the White House has strongly opposed adding provisions and hinted that if it is included in final package, a veto could be in store,” Hall reports.