An AFSCME retiree from Pennsylvania added his voice to a growing chorus to save Social Security.
Chuck Donaldson, a member of District Council 47 Retirees, joined several members of Congress late Monday at a rally steps from the U.S. Capitol.
He said that the government’s retirement program helps him and his wife to make ends meet. And he told Congress to stop hurting millions of senior citizens who will end up in the streets if their Social Security checks stop.
“What we’re asking for isn’t extravagant. It’s basic morality,” Donaldson said. “I’d like politicians who want to cut Social Security to think about what they’re doing, not just the bottom line. Have some compassion for seniors.”
Joining him at the rally were prominent pro-worker lawmakers: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Connecticut Rep. John Larson.
Martin O’Malley, the previous Social Security commissioner, also spoke. Social Security advocacy groups and members of AFSCME and the American Federation of Teachers also took part.
They are all fighting anti-worker extremists in Congress who say they won’t touch Social Security, but who act in ways that shows otherwise. These extremists and this new administration want to give their billionaire buddies even bigger tax cuts by cutting public services and vital programs like Social Security and Medicaid.
The rally came before confirmation hearings for Frank Bisignano, the administration’s choice to be the next Social Security commissioner. Rallygoers urged Congress to reject him. They called Bisignano a pawn who will do the administration’s bidding and not serve the people.
Our union is in the front lines of the fight to save Social Security.
We are in the courts, blocking Elon Musk and his minions at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency from getting hold of our private and sensitive data.
Working and retiree members of AFSCME made their voices heard outside the federal court in Baltimore, where our union filed suit. They’re testifying in front of Congress to warn about the impact of gutting Social Security. And they’re speaking up far from Washington, in places like Toledo, Ohio.
Donaldson, who has been receiving Social Security for 14 years, said he and others like him fear what lies ahead for the retirement program. Like other speakers, he noted that Social Security is not a giveaway but money retirees earned by paying into the program throughout their working lives.
“With the changes Elon Musk and his lackeys are trying to force through for the first time since its creation, Americans’ Social Security benefits are seriously in danger for no good reason,” Donaldson said. “Seniors are afraid and insecure. … Anti-worker politicians want us to pay for their tax breaks with whatever little money we have.”
Let’s do more to fight for people like Chuck Donaldson.
Let’s Get Organized so workers have a more powerful voice to speak out against reckless cuts and demand positive change for everyday Americans. Learn more here about how we all can help preserve Social Security, Medicaid and all public services our communities need and deserve.