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2002 Table of Contents | Public Employee Press Archives
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The
union is asking members to take immediate action. |
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.