In a town hall meeting today in New Mexico, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to passing the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill that would allow workers to bargain with their employers for better job security, wages and benefits.

Watch it:

"What a difference a President makes," said SEIU International President Andy Stern. "For hard-working families who suffered for eight long years under George Bush's extreme anti-worker policies, President Obama's and Vice President Biden's leadership on behalf of the middle class is a breath of long-needed fresh air. We consider the President and Vice President steadfast partners in our fight to give working people a voice on the job in the face of the most challenging economic times since the Great Depression--and we look forward to seeing them at the signing ceremony of the Employee Free Choice Act."

Text of Obama's full remarks below the fold.

Jobs Growth Not a Myth in Certain Sectors

For the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs or feared for their job security in the past couple of months, one might think there are simply no jobs to be had in this current economic downspiral.

Although nobody's job is 100 percent secure, there are certain professions that have proven to be less sensitive to economic downturns. For the many Americans who spend their days scouring the classifieds or waiting in mile-long lines at career fairs, it's encouraging to know that there are job sectors that are still in need of educated employees right now. Here are a few bright spots:

Health and education are at the top of the Obama Administration--and our country's--list of priorities, so teachers and healthcare professionals are in high demand.

Of the 30 fastest growing professions reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly half are related to the healthcare field, which saw a gain of 27,000 jobs in February alone. Highly in-demand occupations include nurses, medical assistants, physician assistants, home health aides, and medical records and health information technicians.

BLS has historically classified teachers as a recession-proof career field, and much like healthcare, there will always be a need for teachers. The National Center for Education Statistics predicts that in the next eight years, 2.8 million more teachers will be needed to join the 3.2 million existing teachers because of retirements, higher enrollment and teacher turnover.

More reasons to "Go Green:" We all know it's time for America to invest in renewable energy for our country's future, and there is already a huge and growing sector working to fight global warming. The Obama administration is very focused on green job creation and clean energy initiatives that will work on harnessing all forms of solar, geothermal and wind power to double our renewable energy production by 2012 and advance sustainable growth.

According to Newsweek, in one 2006 study released by the Renewable Energy Policy Project, researchers found that 2,000 businesses in Michigan could use wind turbine technology as an employment alternative for 34,000 ailing auto workers by reorienting workers from their manufacturing jobs to jobs focused on creating renewable energy for the state. As the U.S. auto industry continues to decline, think about how many other states a project such as this could benefit...

Jobs in "green" energy and the environmental sector will continue to see increased employment rates, to fill the green jobs that already exist as well as explore new technologies that will allow us to rely less on dwindling natural resources and preserve the environment.

Job security in Security: The fact that we're in a recession doesn't lessen our country's need for security and law enforcement to ensure the safety and protection its citizens. Jobs in America's Homeland Security and Defense Departments are increasing, with 80,000 more positions opening up over the next two years, as estimated by a report by the Partnership for Public Service. Other sought-after positions include security guards, police officers, international and transportation security experts.

Amongst the steady stream of discouraging economic news and dismal unemployment numbers, it's reassuring to know that there are still job fields that stand a good chance of weathering this economic storm. For a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics' projections of the fastest-growing careers, click here.

More reading on career fields that can offer higher job stability during times of economic hardship:

USA Today: "Even in a recession, some companies are hiring"
TIME: "150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs Overall"
Kiplinger: "Recession-proof Careers"

Flickr photos used in this post courtesy of greenforall.org and MatthewBradley

Mass layoffs make front page news seemingly every other day. This week, layoffs lead in the Local 1021 NewsWire too.

A total of 2,632,336 people filed unemployment claims between December 2007 and January 2009 - the fallout from 25,712 mass layoffs across America. More than half a million people lost their jobs in the fourth quarter of 2008 alone. The national unemployment rate reached 7.2 percent to close the old year, 7.6 percent to start the new. In California, already third-worst in the nation, unemployment reached 10.1 percent last week, a rocky, mountainous height it hasn't seen since the 1980s.

Closer to home, layoffs and mandatory unpaid furloughs have been affecting SEIU Local 1021 members too, reducing the availability of public services and even shutting down cities like Oakland, where our city workers have already taken half of the 12 furlough days they've been handed in the current budget.

In San Francisco, nonprofits staffed by Local 1021 members just took another $3 million in case manager layoffs and cuts to mental health, substance abuse and other public health care services. And despite a massive public outcry that produced 500 speaker cards at a Feb. 13 public hearing, 70 rec and park directors received pink slips last week, leaving the city's children with after-school places to go but no one waiting for them.

We say: Another way!

At the table in Contra Costa County, where Local 1021 is part of a bargaining coalition, management has said it's willing to hear ideas on temporary labor cost savings to prevent permanent pay cuts, but some layoffs cannot be avoided. While making it clear we reject the County's proposed 5.5 percent pay cut, county workers are hoping the County will accept a labor-management committee to address workforce planning, especially as it affects job security.

In Mendocino County, members and management reached agreement on a 9-hour/4-day schedule that preserves jobs and prevents 12 furloughs by saving 10 percent on labor costs. Where bargaining has dragged on for months, Oakland and Sonoma County workers have launched public campaigns against waste, fraud and abuse in city and county government, looking for unseen fat to trim from the top.

Together, these examples spell out the message SEIU 1021 is sending across northern California: In tough economic times, takeaways and layoffs are not the answer. But where layoffs are inevitable, we'll work with employers to reduce their impact and find other savings that let critical public services continue.

Action Center: Economic Recovery Resource Fair: March 14

While we can't stop the tide of layoffs, we can look to the future. That would be the 1021 Economic Recovery Resource Fair at the end of this week.

An afternoon of panels, presentations and clinics can point you to what you need to know about unemployment benefits, home foreclosures, credit and debt management, resumés and job interviewing, and more. Join us. Your family, friends and neighbors are welcome to attend.

Saturday, March 14 -- 2-5p
UC Berkeley, 2601 Warring St., Berkeley
Clark Kerr Campus, Krutch Theater, Bldg. 14
www.seiu1021.org/events/Ecoomic_Recovery_Resource_Fair.aspx