BY SENATOR JOSEPH ADDABBO
More of today’s families need to be two-income households to make ends meet, whether they’re single parents or providing homes for older, unemployed children, or they’re caring for sick or elderly loved ones. They all need and want many of the same things, especially good jobs.
The NYS Department of Labor’s most recent statistics report private sector employment in New York City rose by 93,100, or 2.9 percent for the 12-month period ending August 2012. The city’s over-the-year private sector growth rate was above the state’s and the nation’s.
The city’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.9 percent in August 2012, down slightly from 10 percent in July 2012. New York State’s rate was 9.1 percent in August, and the national rate was almost 8 percent for September. Despite strong job creation by New York city’s businesses, the number of city residents with jobs is essentially flat over the prior 12 months.
Anyone who has recently gone to the grocery store, put gas in the car, or paid their monthly rent or mortgage, knows that it’s hard to make ends meet. While our economy is slowly recovering, we still have a long way to go to ensure good, living-wage jobs. There are a number of legislative initiatives I’ve been pursuing that I think have great potential for addressing the economic woes of New York’s working families: raise the minimum wage, stop outsourcing jobs, provide family care insurance and pass the fair pay act.
As a reminder to all job seekers and to help bring together over 100 potential employers and their new hires, I am hosting a free job fair on Friday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Resorts World NY at Aqueduct, 3rd Floor, 110-00 Rockaway Boulevard, South Ozone Park. Even if you just want to obtain information about new career options, join us.
Don’t forget to bring plenty of resumes and dress professionally to meet with various recruiters. Over the years, I have organized six job fairs in my senate district, and I am always pleased to help my constituents find employment, particularly at a time when jobs are sometimes difficult to find.
If you have any questions about the upcoming Job Fair or if I can be of assistance to you in the community, please contact me or Peter DeLucia in my district office at 718-738-1111.
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is the State Senator for the 15th District.
