"NYSUT offers strategies to save Social Security." April 28, 2005. New York Teacher.

NYSUT offers strategies to save Social Security

April 28, 2005

Unionists concerned about the future of Social Security express their concern that privatization is gambling with their future. From left, Margaret Bartoletti, Rochester TA; Robin Nichols Jr., UUP; Kathy Catlin, Guilderland CSTA; Don Strickland, Rochester area VOTE-COPE coordinator; NYSUT legislative intern Joseph Garba; Michelle Parker, a school nurse from Greenburgh CSO; Lisa Wagner and Jeanne Saeli, North Babylon TO; and Margie Brumfield, Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals.

New York State United Teachers has developed an arsenal of weapons to battle President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security.

NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin said those weapons -- part of the union's Social Security Project -- include an informational Web site, video and speakers' bureau.

Lubin said the NYSUT Social Security Project is geared toward younger workers as well as retirees. Social Security, while usually associated with older Americans, also provides life insurance and disability benefits to workers not of retirement age.

"More than 20 percent of 20-year-older workers will not make it to retirement. They will be in an accident or die," Lubin said. "Social Security is a benefit for them and a widow's benefit. President Bush is speaking to the younger workers -- he never speaks to seniors -- and they're not buying it."

Lubin is encouraging retiree groups, fraternal organizations and schools to use the tools offered through the Social Security Project to learn more about the dangers of privatizing retirement accounts and to mobilize against the proposal. Available to Social Security activists are:

A Web site -- socialsecurityNewYork.org -- that provides an update on the Bush proposal, along with a calendar of town hall meetings, workshops and lobbying events. The Web site was developed in collaboration with NYSUT's national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, and the New York State Alliance for Retired Americans.
A speakers' bureau that offers 27 specially trained NYSUT members to present workshops that address the importance of preserving the traditional Social Security system. The speakers are available to groups of union members and non-members alike at no charge. For more information, call the NYSUT Legislation Department at (800) 342-9810, ext. 6626.
A 14-minute video, "The Dangers of Privatization" featuring comedian and commentator Al Franken, along with members of Congress. The video is also available through the union's Legislation Department.