The IAFF is taking the fight to Capitol Hill next Wednesday.
General President Edward Kelly will be joined by leading figures from some of America’s largest unions for a rally in support of eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
“Repealing the unfair WEP and GPO penalties has been a top priority for the IAFF for years. Now, thanks to the bipartisan efforts in the House, we’re closer than ever to winning this decades-old fight,” said Kelly. “Labor is uniting to make our position clear – the Senate needs to pass the Social Security Fairness Act. Fire fighters, teachers, and other public service workers have waited long enough.”
The rally will take place in Upper Senate Park, located at the U.S. Capitol complex, on Dec. 11. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and principal officers from unions including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Postal Workers Union (APWU), National Education Association (NEA), and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) are expected to attend.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers – including members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate – is also expected to speak.
General President Edward Kelly
The rally will begin at 11:30 a.m. and is expected to last until 12:30 p.m. The IAFF is encouraging all members who can attend in person to come and make their voices heard.
More than 2 million retired public service workers are impacted by the WEP and GPO, with many seeing more than a $500 reduction in their benefits each month. If the Social Security Fairness Act is not passed this Congress, the Congressional Budget Office expects another $195 billion in Social Security benefits to be withheld from retirees over the next ten years.
Those unable to attend the event in person can still make their voices heard by visiting the IAFF Advocacy Center and telling their Senators where they stand on repealing WEP/GPO.
For more information and updates about the rally, follow the IAFF on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
