ALBANY — On March 8, CSEA members from across the state stood alongside labor families and friends at the Fix Tier 6 rally to advocate for changes to an unequal system.
More than 15,000 members from CSEA, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the New York State Professional Firefighters Association (NYSPFFA), and other public service unions filled the MVP Arena in a historic moment for both reform and solidarity.
Numerous activists and lawmakers attended the rally to share their support in the fight for pension parity.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has supported changes to Tier 6 in the past, including supporting our efforts to reduce the vesting period from 10 years to five years.
At the rally, she stated she is open to more changes to the pension system to help encourage recruitment and retention in the public sector.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli also spoke at the rally, stating his support for changes to Tier 6. DiNapoli has safeguarded our state’s pension system through solid investments. His efforts have ensured that New York has one of the best-funded, stable public retirement systems in the country.
(Photos by Therese Assalian and Alexandra Whitbeck.)
“I’m here to support my brothers and sisters in labor, to make sure that they have their retirement and pensions and generational wealth is there for them.”
— Ang Morris, Albany County Local Vice President
“I came to the rally today to show support for younger members who are struggling with unfair tier benefits. We need to fix tier 6!”
— Vinnie DePalma, Fulton County Local President
Vice President Richard Bebo, fifth from left, pose with Gov. Kathy Hochul, fourth from left.
President Ang Morris, Albany County Local
President Bill Alund and Capital Region 1st Vice President Susan Watson-Amos.
Local Vice President Darlene
Devlin rallies for pension
reform. Behind Devlin is Nassau
County Local President Kris
Kalender.
Local 3rd Vice President Jorge Vargas applauds a speaker.
Tom DiNapoli
Davis, NYSUT President Melinda
Person and Executive Vice President Richard Bebo.
Stephen Szymura
Vice President Eijah Miller, Capital Region activist Kay Rhymer, NYS Thruway
Authority Local Treasurer Carol Sackett and Capital District Psychiatric Center Local member Wendy Taliaferro.
President Sandra Suy, SUNY Fredonia Local President
Stephanie Teachman and Fulton County Local President Vinnie DePalma show their solidarity.
Local President David Hendrick,
Saratoga Springs City Hall Local
Executive Vice President Mark Graham
and Saratoga Springs City Hall Local
President Lisa Watkins.
President Mario Cilento
and CSEA Executive Vice President Richard Bebo.
Retirement System Local President
Celestine Scriven.
Nicole Meeks, Executive Vice President Richard Bebo, Central Region
President Kenny Greenleaf and Capital Region President Shana Davis.
Heastie