Social Security workers protest proposed cuts

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s hard times all around, and the federal government is feeling the squeeze as it is forced to make tough decisions when it comes to the budget.

Today a group in Wilmington protested what may come of this battle.

This group of Social Security workers and advocates stood outside the Social Security Administration office in Wilmington Wednesday, with signs and fliers in hand.

“There’s a lot of talk of a government shutdown or certainly major budget hits to federal agencies, and we’re concerned about the impact that’s going to have on the public here in Wilmington and across the state,” said Michael Gravinese with the American Federation of Government Employees.

The group says if Social Security is cut, that can in turn lead to a decrease in services like cutting back on office hours and increasing delays for those in need.

Many of these protestors who work at the SSA office in town say the possible cuts will also affect them.

“We have a whole office of workaholics in there,” SSA worker Sandra Stuart said. “We like what we do, but we want to do it even better. Instead of cutting us, they need to be strengthening us.”

Though this protest in Wilmington may not have been large, it is just one of many informational pickets that took place across the nation.

The protestors hope their efforts will put a stop to a resolution in which House Republicans propose a $1.7 billion reduction in Social Security Administration funding for the remainder of fiscal year 2011.

We reached out to Rep. Mike McIntyre on this issue. In a statement he said, “Social Security is a contract between the federal government and those who have paid into it. We must never do anything to break that contract… I will always stand with our senior citizens and those who depend on Social Security payments!”