If we learn anything from this week’s Pennsylvania primary when it comes to the field of labor relations, it’s that there’s great concern about the economy among the state’s diverse voters.

The news reports tell us that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) defeated Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) 54.7 percent to 45.3 percent. Clinton won 59 percent of union households, and Obama won 41 percent of these voters, according to exit polls from CNN.

Those numbers really don’t tell us much, except that the Democratic Party continues to be divided on who they want as their nominee. To some extent, we also see that union members are definitely coming out to vote – even though they don’t agree on whom they want to lead the nation.

But let’s look at other numbers. When asked to name the most important issue, some 55 percent of those asked answered, “the economy.” Moreover, 88 percent said that economy is in a “recession.” Both Democrats and Republicans need to look at these responses. Not just the presidential candidates, but the current president, current members of Congress, the Federal Reserve Chairman and the nation’s business leaders. Almost nine out of ten Pennsylvania voters, answered in this survey, that we are in a recession.

They are living it. They do not need more rhetoric from politicians. They need relief from: rising gas prices, home foreclosures, soaring health care costs and other issues that they must face daily. Real solutions need to come soon, much sooner than after the new president takes office. Hopefully, unions can work with business leaders to bring health back to the economy. The voters are waiting.