RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - President Obama met with labor leaders and advocates for workers at the White House Wednesday in a meeting dubbed the Summit on Worker Voice.

Among those in attendance was Richard Trumka, head of the influential labor group, the AFL-CIO.

The White House released a transcript of the meeting, which can be found at whitehouse.gov.

It began as follows:

 THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)  Well, everybody, please have a seat.  Welcome to the White House.  Let me offer at the outset the observation that Terrence could run for something.  (Laughter.)  But we're so grateful to you for sharing your story, for everything you’re doing to organize and inspire Americans across the country.  You already recognized your mom, Joann, another fast-food worker who’s come up today from South Carolina.  This is actually a remarkable moment:  Neither of them make enough money to be able to afford to travel much, so this is the first time Terrence and Joann have seen each other in 10 years.

AUDIENCE:  No!

THE PRESIDENT:  Ten years apart because they don't earn enough to be able to just hop on a plane and visit each other.
The only problem I have with this story is that I am not sure that Joann is old enough to actually be Terrence’s mom -- (laughter) -- based on how she’s looking there.

Their story describes why we wanted to have this summit.  Their story describes why workers need a voice.  That’s why our Secretary of Labor, Tom Perez, is here -- and I should add, this is a pretty good way for the Labor Secretary to celebrate his birthday.  (Applause.)  

That’s why we’ve got our outstanding leader in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi here.  (Applause.)  And Senator Al Franken is here.  (Applause.)   And Congressman Gregory Meeks is here, and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson is here -- because they have consistently been on the frontlines of championing the interests and the concerns of ordinary people who are working hard every single day, and aren't asking for the world -- all they’re asking for is dignity and living wages and being able to take care of their families.  

That's why we’ve got business and labor leaders here today, including the head of the AFL-CIO, Rich Trumka, who’s been fighting these issues for decades.  And that's why we've got workers and organizers and tech experts, and so many others at this first-ever White House Summit on Workers Voice.