Social Security workers protest possible funding cuts

McALLEN — Horns honked on McColl Road on Wednesday as passing motorists cheered on protesters in front of the city’s Social Security Office. Waving signs that read “Kill the Bill” and “Closed Office=No Service,” a dozen or so office employees and union representatives argued against federal budget cuts.

Angry at a House proposal that would reduce Social Security funding by $1.7 billion for fiscal year 2011, the workers warned that such cuts could lead to a month of furloughs for employees.

“We’re out here to avoid shutdowns and to avoid the furloughs that are currently in the plans for all government agencies,” union representative Norma Peña said.

The American Federation of Government Employees — a union that represents 60,000 Social Security workers and 600,000 federal employees — organized the picket in conjunction with others across the country. AFGE’s “National Day of Protest,” included Wednesday demonstrations by Social Security workers in 96 offices across 31 states.

At the McAllen office in particular, protesters argued that their services benefit a large population.

“We are essential,” union representative Elvia Duarte said of the office. “We see 600 to 700 people per day.”

The protesters called a bill passed Wednesday that puts off the possibility of a government shutdown for two weeks a small success, but worried about whether the office would have to temporarily close if the funding cuts are approved.

“We have a lot of elderly and disabled people here and those are the people we serve,” said Elma Snell, 74, a former employee of the office. “I’m a retiree, but I came out to support my co-workers and my friends.”

Snell said she remained optimistic the day’s protests would have an impact.

“We’re hoping things will work out,” she said. “I think it will.”

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Elizabeth Findell covers Pharr, San Juan, Alamo and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.