Labor Updates (2/11/08)

Workers Forgotten in Economic Stimulus Bill: The Senate approved an economic stimulus bill Thursday following the narrow defeat of a more robust plan by Republican Senators Wednesday (Labor Updates: Senate Republicans Block Extension of Benefits for Workers 2/7/08 UC), reports Mike Hall on the AFL-CIO Now Weblog. “The very people who need help the most will get what they have routinely gotten from this administration and its right-wing Republican supporters: a whole lot of nothing,” says AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. Although the new Senate package – based on a House-passed plan – does include extension of tax rebates to low-income senior citizens and disabled veterans, it will not include any extensions to unemployment insurance or other relief for ailing workers. The House approved the measure Thursday and President Bush is expected to approve the legislation.