Press call to address needed changes to NC’s unemployment system for a strong economic recovery

WHAT: Press call to address needed changes to NC’s unemployment system to meet challenges of COVID-19
WHEN: Wednesday, March 17, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ldeCqrD8qHtLeAUP689F202UyOAvaGEpI)
WHO: Rep. James D. Gailliard (D-Nash); Sen. Wiley Nickel (D-Wake); Cheetie Kumar, an employer and small business owner of Raleigh restaurant Garland; Liz Labunski, a Charlotte job seeker; MaryBe McMillan, President, NC State AFL-CIO; and the NC Justice Center

RALEIGH (March 15, 2021) – Workers’ rights advocates, policymakers, and affected individuals will hold a press call on Wednesday, March 17, to call for changes to North Carolina’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system and introduce a new UI bill in order to meet the challenges facing workers who need support during bouts of unemployment and through the economic recovery.

North Carolina’s UI program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and meet other eligibility requirements. UI is one of the most effective stabilizing policies in an economic downturn, as the country is currently experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, at a time when workers need help to survive, North Carolina’s system is serving too few jobless workers for too short a time and providing too little in financial assistance.

Speakers will address the effects North Carolina’s unemployment system has on workers, local communities, and economies, as well as how the new bill will create a system that is more supportive to workers in transition.

Speakers include cosponsors of the new legislation, Rep. James D. Gailliard (D-Nash) and Sen. Wiley Nickel (D-Wake); Cheetie Kumar, an employer and small business owner of the Raleigh restaurant Garland; Liz Labunski, a Charlotte job seeker; and MaryBe McMillan, President of the NC State AFL-CIO.

Register at this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.