New coalition will work to strengthen Social Security

“Social Security Works / Washington.”

That’s the name adopted by a new statewide coalition determined to defend and improve Social Security in the face of the gravest threat to its integrity in the 75 years since it was signed into law.

Initiated by a nucleus of labor, women’s and retiree groups, including the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans, the coalition is reaching out to the many varied organizations that recognize the unique role of Social Security in preventing poverty and in uniting our people across the generations.

The coalition was organized in response to appointment of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, a majority of whose 18 members have signaled that they’re prepared to bleed the Social Security trust fund to reduce the federal budget deficit. (Readers will find background information on the commission on pages 5 and 10.)

The coalition will carry the campaign to every Congressional candidate, incumbent or aspirant, across the state, asking each to sign a pledge to defend the full range of Social Security benefits, to work to improve them, and to oppose all efforts to raid its trust fund for deficit reduction.

A broad national coalition, the “Strengthen Social Security Campaign,” is also in formation. Its founding Steering Committee members represent the AFL-CIO, the Alliance for Retired Americans, the Campaign for America’s Future, the Economic Policy Institute, the National Council of Women’s Organizations and Voices for America’s Children, among many other groups.

As its name indicates, the national group intends to take the offensive to make Social Security even better in the protections it affords retirees, persons with disabilities, and survivors. The Washington State coalition has the same approach.

The next meeting of the Social Security Works / Washington coalition will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, at the Seattle offices of the Washington State Labor Council, 314 First Avenue West. For information, contact PSARA President Robby Stern at president@psara.org or by phone at (206)448-9646.

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