Defending the Social Safety Net: A Call to Action

Click here for a PDF of the booklet.

In the wake of the Great Recession of 2008-2009, attacks against Social Security, public sector pensions, Medicare and other social safety net programs escalated — all part of an ominous political thrust to shift the burden of the municipal, state and federal budget crises to working families and the poor.

In response, the Retirees’ Chapter in October 2010 formed a Social Safety Net Working Group. The group published a booklet, developed an email bulletin, spoke at PSC chapters, organized CUNY-wide forums with nationally renowned speakers and joined with other groups and coalitions to defend and expand the safety net. At its February 2011 meeting, the PSC Executive Council voted to expand what started out as a retiree chapter initiative into a union-wide campaign.

With the boost of a recent $25,000 grant from PSC’s state affiliate, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), that initiative has now extended to a statewide audience of trade unionists, educators and community groups. The grant has funded the development of new materials and workshops and a major revision of the working group’s existing brochure DEFENDING THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET: A CALL TO ACTION. The booklet is a key part of a toolkit for developing workshops whose aim is to motivate activism locally, inside NYSUT and with union, community and social justice partners across the state.

Click here for a PDF of the booklet.