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.