PORT ANGELES—Senior citizens picketed the Federal Building here June 10 in opposition to the firing of 7,500 Social Security workers, with thousands more targeted to lose their jobs in the coming days.
The protesters held picket signs that proclaimed, “We Stand with Social Security Workers! Stop Trump Job Cuts!” and “Stop the CUTS to our Social Security Staff.” Passing motorists honked their horns, gave thumbs-up salutes, and paused to thank the protesters.
They joined a nationwide protest against the job terminations called by the American Federation of Government Employees Council 220. The action here was sponsored by Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) and joined by many members of the Clallam County Democratic Party.
Already, six of the ten regional offices of the Social Security Administration (SSA) have been closed due to the cutbacks. The Trump Administration has ordered SSA to reduce by half the number of in-person visits serviced by SSA field representatives, forcing Social Security claim-seekers to rely on phone service for their claims. But SSA is also shifting over to AI (Artificial Intelligence) to service claims. Many argue that AI is incapable of handling complicated issues, especially those of disabled people.
PSARA leader Steve Kofahl, former President of AFGE Local 3937, representing Social Security field representatives, warns that the 1,200 community field offices, key to the functioning of Social Security, are especially at risk of closure. Kofahl says the aim of Trump and the MAGAs is to terminate at least half the Social Security workforce, which numbered about 60,000 before the termination of 7,500 jobs. That means a total of 30,000 Social Security jobs targeted by Trump-MAGA.
The protesters here warned that the termination of these jobs will be followed by sharp cuts in benefits—or privatization—of Social Security that serves 75 million people across the nation. One sign in the crowd read, “1st they CUT Soc.-Sec. Jobs. 2nd OUR BENEFITS!”
As if to underline the menace, the Social Security Administration (SSA) released its annual audit yesterday, warning that the Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted by the year 2032 and benefits will be slashed 22%, an average cut of $500 monthly for each recipient.
Republicans are already proclaiming that the answer is to raise the retirement age from 67 to 69 years. It means that millions of workers employed in dangerous and hazardous jobs will die before they collect a penny of the benefits they paid for from every paycheck. Other corporate ultra-rightists are advocating privatization or outright repeal of the Social Security program signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935.
One PSARA member was wearing his lapel pin that proclaims, “Strengthen Social Security: SCRAP THE CAP!” This PSARA pin promotes the simplest solution to the Trust Fund’s shortfalls. All income above $183,000 is exempt from the Social Security payroll tax. If this cap were ended, all income would be subject to the Social Security tax, every dollar raked in by millionaires and billionaires. It would bring in enough revenues to cover a much-needed increase in Social Security benefits for every one of those now receiving a monthly Social Security check.
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