Hundreds to Rally at Minneapolis Social Security Office in Protest of Community Office Closures Across U.S.

Social Security's flawed "Vision 2025" plan would move service exclusively online, by telephone

News provided by

American Federation of Government Employees

Aug 27, 2014, 09:28 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hundreds of union activists from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) will rally at the Minneapolis Social Security Field Office Wednesday, Aug. 27 to shed light on the Social Security Administration's plan to close virtually every field office in Minnesota and across the country; limiting customer service options for American seniors and persons with disabilities. Activists want to know why the agency is determined to close hundreds of local Social Security offices and contact stations just as the number of those who are eligible for Social Security is about to hit its peak.

"AFGE will continue to sound the alarm about SSA's flawed plans until it commits to restoring the face-to-face services that senior and disabled Americans depend on," said AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. "For 79 years community offices have been the cornerstone of the most popular government program in our nation's history. With tens of millions of baby boomers set to retire, we need to focus on expanding Social Security's service options, not limiting them. Maintaining the current community office structure, adequately staffing those offices, and continuing to provide in-person services are essential to sustaining the high-quality service these beneficiaries have earned."

When: 3:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday, August 27

Where: Minneapolis SSA Field Office
1811 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, Minn.

Speakers:         AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr.
                        House Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer
                        Senator Al Franken (Invited)
                        U.S. Representative Rick Nolan
                        U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (Invited)
                        U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (Invited)
                        Minneapolis Social Security Beneficiary Marie Milsten-Fiedler
                        Labor activists and Social Security employees who provide vital public services

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including more than 25,000 at the Social Security Administration. For the latest AFGE news and information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees