Videos

Transcript:

Unemployment Transcript

Hammel: I'm State Representative Richard Hammel from the 48th District and we're here because Michigan stands at a crossroads.  We've all seen the news and read the headlines.  Chrysler, one of the Big Three automakers and employer of tens of thousands of Michigan workers was recently forced to file for bankruptcy.  We've already seen the ripple effect that this bankruptcy has caused with the announcement of three plants in Metro Detroit are scheduled to close next year.  There are rumblings that many dealerships could also be closed and auto suppliers could layoff more workers as cuts in productions at Chrysler threaten their bottom line.  This ripple effect would be bad anywhere but in a state like ours, that has relied for so long on the automobile industry, it is potentially devastating.  It's not just the auto industry that's suffering though.  Workers and their families workers and their families in almost every sector are feeling the heat.

Michigan's unemployment rate has soared to 12.6 percent – the highest in the nation.  And since 2000, Michigan has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs.  With the troubles in the automotive industry and the continuing global economic downturn, we all expect that number could continue to rise.  These are demanding times, and the people of Michigan are demanding results.  If you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to find a good job to support your family.  Unfortunately, too many Michigan workers have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.  This sad story is one that could happen to anybody.

Michigan has some of the most dedicated, productive workers in the world.
  They are the ones who built the middle class in this country.  We will not allow them to fall through the cracks.  That's why we're announcing our plan to boost worker retraining in order to make sure we're standing by Michigan workers.  Under our plan, displaced workers who enroll in retraining programs and seek out skills they need to qualify for 21st century jobs would receive unemployment benefits.  We firmly expect that this plan will pass the House today, it has passed in committee already this morning, and not a moment too soon.  Michigan's working families are hurting, they need action now.

Walls: My name is Marie Walls and at 31 years old, after working at a circuit board manufacturing plant for 8 years, I was told that my job was being outsourced to either Mexico or China which is something that I know many people within my community that are facing this same issue.  I'm unemployed at this point, I have three children to care for and it was very…very tough.  Very tough to make ends meet when you have an eight-month old and a 1 1/2 - 2 year old that both need diapers and you're trying to determine whether you're 8 month old will fit on your 2 year old's because you've got to cut costs.  It's hard.  It's very hard.  But I went to Michigan Works! The golden gates were opened, so to speak, for me as I went through the process which was a relatively easy process everybody treated me with utmost respect, everybody, I was never just a number to anybody in that office, and they got me enrolled and within 5 months I was enrolled in Macomb Community College to earn a business management degree.  As I said, I'll be graduating next Friday and just a few points that I'd like to also include.  Not only has this experience given me an education and made me a more diverse member of workforce, soon, it's also put some fundamental, you know, balance in my home with respect to education.  With respect to that fact that is you work hard, and you dedicate yourself to something, you will come out on top and I am so thankful that Michigan chose to invest in me and in its workforce through the program and as I said I will be graduating May 15th with Summa Cum Laude honors and I'm very excited about that (APPLAUSE) and I'm also very pleased that I'll get to accept these honors in front of my children and they will see what hard work really brings to you.  Thank you. (APPLAUSE)