STCC PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP MEETING

NOVEMBER 20, 2002

Call to Order: 1:30

Location: 17/102

This was more than the usual PA meeting. It was open to AFSCME, administrative staff, SEA, other public employee unions, and the general public. The primary purpose was to begin to organize public employees in a campaign against two provisions in Social Security which discriminate against public employees and their ability to collect 100% of their vested rights to Social Security. These provisions are known as the Government Provision Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision (GPO & WEP).

Approximately two hundred people were in attendance. Several packets of information and a pamphlet were distributed to attendees. Sign in sheets will be used to create contact lists. Congressman Richard Neal and MTA Retired Members Services Specialist Jo Anne Fitzgerald addressed the group and answered numerous questions.

Jo Anne Fitzgerald laid out how the two provisions affect public employees. She pointed out that although the laws have been in place since the mid ‘80s, it has not been until the last few years that people realized how they would affect public employees in Massachusetts and 14 other states. This is because the group affected just started to retire. NEA and MTA support full repeal of the provisions. NEA is not supporting mandatory Social Security input. She reminded attendees that although several bills are currently filed, the numbers on the bills change with each new filing. It was also noted that AARP has not signed onto the campaign and that she was not sure just why that was so.

Congressman Neal stressed the need to extend the campaign to other states. It will take 218 votes in the House to win repeal of the provisions. When asked about bringing the issue to the courts he pointed out that it really needed a legislative solution, not a legal one. This is due primarily to the length of time it could take to move through the court system – with appeals years and years and years. He also noted that SS was never intended to be the sole retirement for anyone. It was meant to be part of a three pronged approach: savings, pensions, and SS. He also noted that it was letters to which he pays the most attention. Finally, he suggested that we invite a Social Security representative to a similar forum to answer questions.

Finally, Michelle Gallagher, MTA Consultant distributed a packet on organizing lobbying campaign with recommended activities. Sample letters and a complete listing of Mass. Congressional Delegation members was included. She reported that MTA, at the request of NEA, has appointed two representatives to serve as “spokespersons and organizers for a coordinated grassroots effort to repeal” these provisions.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00PM. Many of those who attended the meeting were vocally appreciative of the effort that had gone into organizing this informative program. Undoubtedly, an article which appeared in the front page of the Union News on the morning of the meeting was instrumental in drawing a large crowd of interested and impacted retirees.
Secretary,
Lynn Kleindienst