3.1.05
Press
Release:
American Federation of Government Employees Objects to Another SSA Office
Closure
Western Addition Office Battle
By
Howard Egerman, Union Rep, AFGE Local 3172
On
February 8, 2005, the District Manager of Western Addition Social Security
Office, informed the American Federation of Government Employees Union
that they had decided to consolidate Western Addition Field Office located
at 1405 Fillmore Street in San Francisco with the downtown Civic Center
Field office located at 939 Market Street. The decision to close the
Western Addition Social Security office came as a shock to the employees.
The
Social Security Administration has planned to consolidate these two
offices by April 30, 2005. The Union has continuously stated that SSA
offices should not be eliminated in areas of our community that have the
largest population of elderly, disabled and blind citizens.
It
is clear that the elderly and disabled individuals in inner cities and
economically disadvantaged neighborhoods have limited or no access to the
service delivery systems that the agency envisions in the near future.
Those who least can afford it would be required to travel the furthest and
endure the greatest expense to obtain basic government services. Limited
parking and congested offices will place undue hardship on the people that
are forced to travel to downtown San Francisco for assistance.
The Federal Government should set the tone for the
enhancement and redevelopment of disenfranchised areas.
The
public must clearly take a stand on the need for services in forgotten and
neglected inner cities.
We urge you
to write Regional Commissioner Pete Spencer at Box 4200, Richmond, CA
94804 expressing your displeasure.
Send a copy
of your letter to Commissioner of Social Security JoAnne Barnhart, 6401
Security Blvd, Suite 900 Altmeyer, Baltimore, MD 21235 and Deputy
Commissioner for Operations Linda S. McMahon, c/o Social Security
Administration, 1204 W. High Rise, Baltimore, MD 21235.
LET YOUR
VOICE BE HEARD!
Immediately
call Dan Bernel in the office of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s office
(415)
556-4862.
Keep
government services accessible to the people.
