Action Alert
- Stop unfair workfare Your phone call could
save city jobs
The union is asking members to take immediate action. Let your
senators know you expect them to stand up for New York City and oppose the unfair
TANF legislation. Tell them welfare reform should mean real jobs for clients and
strong protections for existing city jobs. Let
your voice be heard: Call Sen. Clinton at (202) 224-4451,
Sen. Schumer at (202) 228-3027, or the U.S. Congress switchboard
(toll free) at (887) 611-0063.
By
DIANE S. WILLIAMS
A flood of urgent E-mail, faxes, phone calls and
letters has hit U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer since June 12,
when DC 37 members launched an all-out campaign against dangerous provisions of
the Welfare Reform Act reauthorization.
"Our members know firsthand
that New York City's Workfare Program has been a disaster," said Executive
Director Lillian Roberts. "But the Bush Administration is using it to frame
the Congressional reauthorization proposal. We cannot let this happen."
DC 37 and AFSCME, its national union, are sending a clear and direct message
to Congress: George Dubya's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) legislation
threatens to eliminate thousands of union jobs.
The legislation proposes
an extreme change in TANF that would mandate states to enroll 70 percent of their
adult caseload in "constructive activities" for 40 hours per week, of
which 24 hours must be in employment or other work activities.
The union
says the increased work requirements and weakened protections against displacement
of current city employees open the door for unpaid Workfare participants to take
municipal jobs. Without the current wage, safety and health protections, the plan
would exploit both public employees and the poor.
As PEP went to press,
the Senate Finance Committee was expected to consider the bill in late June or
early July and full Senate debate was expected in July. "Now is the time
our calls can make a big difference," said Ms. Roberts.
"We
are waiting to hear Chuck Schumer, New York's senior senator, speak out on this
important issue," she said. Ms. Clinton has gone so far as to sign on to
the conservative Carper-Bahy bill, with the 70/40 work requirements.
DC 37 and AFSCME oppose stricter work requirements and support education, training
and real jobs for welfare recipients.