Pols pledge support for pension justice
Workers, retirees flood Albany for COLA rally

By DENYCE DUNCAN LACY
Thousands of active and retired public employees from around the state boarded busses bound for Albany early on May 9, descending on the state Capitol to demand a permanent cost-of-living adjustment for retirees’ pensions, this year.
Organized by the state AFL-CIO, the rally drew members and retirees from several major unions, including PEF, the Civil Service Employees Association, the New York State United Teachers, the United Federation of Teachers, District Council 37, the National Education Association and the Transport Workers Union.

They turned out for the event, enduring scorching sunshine and nearly 90-degree heat, to send a message to the governor and state lawmakers.

“COLA! COLA! COLA! COLA!,” the crowd chanted, waving red and blue “COLA” pennants and yellow-and-blue “Pension Justice” hand fans.

This year, the demonstrators appear likely to get what they’re asking for. A few days before the long-scheduled rally, Gov. George Pataki announced that he agreed with his pension task force, which recommended retirees get a cost-of-living-adjustment.

One after another, union leaders and elected officials told the crowd the action was long overdue.
“New York State trails the nation in supplementing retiree’s pensions,” said AFL-CIO president Denis Hughes, noting that 38 states already have pension COLAs.

“Nothing could be fairer or more deserved, especially given the New York State budget surpluses and the growing assets of public-retirement systems, than to enact a permanent COLA now.”

State Comptroller H. Carl McCall has also long advocated enactment of a permanent, automatic COLA, and he told the workers and retirees their activism and commitment to the cause is what turned Gov. Pataki around.
“Because of you, and your strength and your unity, even the governor is on board. He saw the COLA train coming, and he had no choice but to get on the train, or get off the tracks,” McCall quipped.

The crowd also heard from Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Both leaders promised those gathered they would support efforts to pass COLA legislation this year.

“We have been and we are committed to a permanent COLA, and we will pass it this year,” Bruno pledged.
“The state of New York has always been blessed with the finest public workforce in the world and you deserve to be treated as such when you’re employed, and even more so when you retire,” Silver said.

But getting only two out of three of the political leaders was not enough for some.
“Where’s George (Pataki)?” someone yelled.
“I’m sure he can hear us,” AFL-CIO President Hughes responded.

PEF President Roger Benson had a turn at the microphone, as well. He left lawmakers with a message from a retiree.
“Today, I met an 88-year-old retiree from Binghamton who told me she’s been making this trip to Albany for 10 years with a smile. But she said, if she has to come back here next year to get a COLA passed, she’s coming with a rope!”
You deserve a COLA, and this year, you’re going to get it,” Benson said.

In addition to attracting several thousand demonstrators, the rally drew media coverage from around the state. Several PEF members and retirees took the opportunity to tell reporters why they came to the rally.

“I think everybody should be treated better in retirement,” PEF Region 5 Coordinator Mary Twitchell told Gannet News Service.
“We definitely deserve a raise,” new retiree Barry Markman of Brooklyn told NY Channel One. “We’ve been waiting for it, and it’s been long enough.”

“I will be retiring in the next 10 years, and I am concerned that I will have enough money to live on and not be dependent on anyone when I’m in my 80s,” added Marcia Schumann of Manhattan.

The Communicator Home Page