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By Doug Cunningham

As Congress ponders the huge $700 billion government bailout for Wall Street the AFL-CIO is calling for fast action on a financial bailout for the rest of us. The AFL-CIO is calling for a moratorium on home foreclosures while loans are restructured, extended unemployment benefits, money for strapped state social aid programs, funding for food stamps and a jump-start for major construction projects to provide good jobs. The AFL-CIO says a comprehensive financial rescue plan is the right course. But that means helping the millions of Americans losing their jobs, their homes, pensions and health insurance. The labor federation says that Congress must absolutely ensure that the bailout plan rescues not just Wall Street, but also responds to the real pain on Main Street. That includes re-regulation of the financial markets, protecting retirement security for workers and a guarantee of the real rights of workers to organize unions.