BREAKING: Social Security Administration Warns of Furloughs

 (Washington D.C.)  – The Social Security Administration (SSA) – responsible for processing benefit applications, issuing checks to recipients and sending new Social Security cards out to families with newborns – warned in a letter to employees Thursday that it may have to furlough workers if proposed cuts to its budget are enacted into law. In their Continuing Resolution, Republicans have proposed cutting SSA's administrative funding by more than 9 percent in 2011, from $11.8 billion in 2010 to $10.7 billion this year. In addition, the Republican proposal provides for $1.7 billion less than SSA needs to keep pace with inflation and rising workloads. 

 

The letter "serves as notice to bargain over the impact and implementation of a furlough procedure in the event of an Agency furlough," Acting Associate Commissioner of SSA Jay Clary wrote in a letter Thursday.  He notes that the SSA commissioner has "not decided to effectuate a furlough," but that in light of "the potential of reduced Congressional appropriations for the remainder of the fiscal year, the Agency is issuing this notice at this time in the event that a furlough may become necessary."

 

***THE LETTER IS BELOW ***

 

The GOP budget plan would leave the already cash-strapped agency with far fewer resources with which to process claims for seniors, widows and people with disabilities, issue new Social Security cards to families with newborns, reduce overpayments to safeguard Social Security's trust fund for future beneficiaries, conduct appeals hearings for disability applicants, answer phone calls from individuals whose checks are missing and record wages of workers to make sure they receive all the benefits they have earned.

 

"Threats of a Social Security shutdown are real.  With $1.7 billion in reckless and shortsighted cuts being proposed for the Social Security Administration's operating budget, employees are now being prepared for a furlough," said Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Xavier Becerra. "If Social Security field offices are closed, claims will go unprocessed, a backlog of cases will pile up, and hard-earned benefits of our of seniors, widows and disabled workers could be delayed.  Social Security didn't get us into this mess and we must divorce it from the deficit reduction debate."

 

"The consequences of this Republican budget cut would be felt by seniors and people with disabilities throughout the country," said Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin. "There are few budget cuts more irresponsible than those that fall on the backs of our seniors and people with disabilities, yet that's exactly who this Republican proposal would end up hurting."

 

 

February 17, 2011

 

NUC-2011-A01

 

Mr. James E. Marshall, Spokesperson

SSA/AFGE General Committee

P.O. Box 1698

Falls Church, VA 22041

 

Dear Mr. Marshall:

 

Pursuant to Article 4 of the National Agreement, this letter serves as notice to bargain over the impact and implementation of a furlough procedure in the event of an Agency furlough.  It is important to note that the Commissioner has not decided to effectuate a furlough.  However, given the potential of reduced Congressional appropriations for the remainder of the fiscal year, the Agency is issuing this notice at this time in the event that a furlough may become necessary. 

 

Following receipt of a request to bargain, management is prepared to bargain over negotiable proposals concerning procedures and arrangements related to the aforementioned issue.  Any bargaining will be in accordance with the Statute and Article 4 of the SSA/AFGE National Agreement.  Accordingly, since this notice is being provided electronically, any bargaining must commence no later than the first Tuesday following the twenty-eighth (28) calendar day period after the receipt of this notice.  In accordance with Article 4, Section 1(B), failure to request to bargain within the timeframes set out for national level bargaining may result in unilateral implementation.

 

Pursuant to Article 4, Section 3(C), please submit your reply to this notice by electronic correspondence to DCHR.OLMER.OAC@ssa.gov.  Should you wish to discuss this matter please contact Eddie Taylor at (410) 965-7066. 

 

 

                                                                                                Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                Jay Clary

                                                                                                Acting Associate Commissioner

                                                                                                Office of Labor-Management

                                                                                                   and Employee Relations

 

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