Council Reps Attend Obama Jobs Meeting

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)“Whatever executive authority I have to strengthen this economy and bring back jobs, I’m going to use” President Obama told representatives from the Metro Washington Council on Tuesday. Council members were at the White House as part of an AFL-CIO delegation invited to hear the President speak about the American Jobs Act and share their thoughts with the administration. The local labor group included Metro Council Executive Board members Vance Ayres (Washington Building and Construction Trades Council) and Kendall Martin (Iron Workers 5), as well as Stephen Courtien (WBCTC), Jeffry Guido (Maryland Pipe Trades Association), iron worker Jerome Thomas (Iron Workers), Giant grocery clerk Deborah Mitchell (UFCW 400), and Union Cities Assistant Mobilizer Julia Kann. Obama believes “the real power is in your hands,” Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett said, emphasizing the importance of grassroots work being done by local activists across the country. “You cannot underestimate the power of ordinary individuals,” Jarrett added. When the President opened the floor for questions Julia Kann, Assistant Mobilizer for the Metro Council, spoke up, inviting him to come down to McPherson Square and hear how occupiers are feeling, citing exorbitant student debt and high levels of unemployment. Chuckling, Obama said he’d “have to check with the Secret Service” first. President Obama concluded the meeting optimistically. While acknowledging that much work remains to be done to pass the American Jobs Act: “I’m optimistic about our prospects. I remain hopeful. I believe in change.” - photos by Julia Kann