Retiree News Fall 2025

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etiree etiree NEWS R
Mary E. Sullivan, President FALL 2025 Retirees fighting back
Editor’s note: Some of the material
with, and it is not up for debate,”
in this article was originally
said Kennedy, in a news release.
published on AFSCME’s blog.
“Social Security is the bedrock of
the middle class - it provides a
fter congressional
dependable source of income for
Republicans pushed through
our seniors in their retirement, for
A
their massive budget
individuals with disabilities, for
reconciliation bill that was signed
widowers and children who have
into law by President Donald
lost a parent. In short, it is the best
Trump on July 4, union members
of America.”
across the nation are bracing for
“I spent 35 years working in
Retiree Executive Committee Chair Bernadette Giambra speaks about
the fallout.
probation and now that I’m retired,
Social Security at a news conference held during the CSEA Buffalo-
The sweeping federal cuts
Social Security is something I
Niagara Frontier Local 903 meeting, as U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy looks on. threaten programs that working
rely on,” said Giambra. “I earned
Surrounding the podium are Local 903 members, including Local 903 people, retirees and vulnerable
it through my years of service, President Joan Bender, standing far left next to Kennedy. (Photo by Sara communities depend on every
and it helps me cover necessities. McNicholas.)
day. CSEA Retiree members have
Without it, I would still be working
been speaking out and taking
full time and picking up additional
to cut Social Security to think
was going to press. The White action against these cuts, including
jobs just to make ends meet.
about what they’re doing, not
House and Democrats could signing postcards for union
Social Security isn’t a luxury;
just the bottom line. Have some
not agree to a plan to keep the retirees in other states.
it’s something I earned through
compassion for seniors,” said
government open. An extended
At the recent Buffalo-Niagara
decades of hard work. The idea of
Donaldson “Seniors are afraid and
shutdown could jeopardize Frontier Retirees Local 903
privatizing it is deeply concerning.
insecure ... Anti-worker politicians
numerous public programs and meeting, CSEA Retiree Executive
We cannot allow the future of
want us to pay for their tax breaks
services that rely on federal Committee Chair Bernadette
retirees to be gambled away.”
with whatever little money we
funding, including those provided Giambra joined U.S. Rep. Tim
CSEA has been raising concerns
have.”
by CSEA members.
Kennedy and state and local
about how these cuts will harm
In Florida, AFSCME Retiree
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan officials in a news conference to
New York, but we are not alone.
Chapter 79 member Peggy
has repeatedly stressed that New oppose statements by Treasury
AFSCME members across the
Goodale, a former Florida state
York’s budget crisis is tied directly Secretary Scott Bessent, who
country are speaking out, showing
worker, called out congressional
to decisions made in Washington. called the creation of Trump
that this fight is national, and
representatives who supported the
“Public service workers Accounts in the Republican
our union family is united in
reconciliation bill.
everywhere are saying enough is Reconciliation Bill a “backdoor for
demanding fairness. Here are a just
“Shame on [them] for not
enough,” said Sullivan. “Together, privatizing Social Security.”
a few ways that AFSCME members
showing the leadership to fix a
we are standing strong to defend Kennedy spoke passionately
are fighting back.
budget bill that requires massive
the programs that keep our
about his opposition to privatizing
In Pennsylvania, AFSCME
cuts to Medicaid, food assistance
communities safe, healthy, and Social Security, which has been
District Council 47 Retirees Local
and other essential programs,”
secure. This is a national fight, recently discussed in Congress.
member Chuck Donaldson recently
said Goodale.
and CSEA members can take heart “Social Security is not a slush
joined several congressional
knowing that across the country, fund for Donald Trump to juice
leaders at a rally to save Social
CSEA stands strong
our union family is stepping up
the stock markets with, it is not
Security.
The federal government shut
shoulder-to-shoulder with us.”
a fund to gamble on the future
“I’d like politicians who want
down October 1, as this edition