SSA hired the National Academy of Public Administration to draft Vision 2025, a strategic plan that defines the future of SSA. AFGE met with the Academy and the draft of Vision 2025 calls for the elimination of the entire field office structure in SSA, including field offices and teleservice centers, as we know them. Though SSA has not agreed to this plan, the plan is in sync with other Agency positions that call for the shrinking of public service delivery. Vision 2025 would replace public service with a combination of automation and contracting out core services. The proposal from the Academy would eliminate most, if not all, of our jobs. The Academy did little outreach to SSA leadership, employees and stakeholders.       NOW IT IS OUR TIME TO SPEAK UP!   SSA has informed AFGE that it will be seeking employee comments on Vision 2025 through Ideascale.   We need to speak up loud and clear for the public we serve and for our own future! WE CANNOT ALLOW VISION 2025 TO BECOME REALITY!      We must voice our concern about the elimination of our jobs. We must also voice our concern about the impact upon the public we serve. AFGE believes, as a public agency paid for by public dollars, the public we serve should determine the method of service they want-- phone, online or in-person service. The public should determine what services they need from us at our field offices. Our 60-day appointment calendars, our over-flowing teleservice center call queues, our full lobbies, the lines out the door speak loud and clear—the public wants field offices, the public wants phone services, the public wants US there to serve THEM!   AFGE urges you to tell the agency the following: Urge SSA to demand the current field office structure remain completely intact. Urge SSA to preserve the right of the public to choose how they receive service from SSA. Urge SSA to inform the public that how they receive service from SSA is THEIR option. Urge SSA to seek funding from Congress to preserve comprehensive face-to-face and telephone services. Urge SSA to restore benefit verification and “numi-lite” service in in our field offices.     We all work at SSA because we believe in the program and its role in lives of the millions of Americans we serve every day. We also work here because SSA provides a secure job that allows us to provide for our families and provide for ourselves. If we do not stand up to protect our Agency who will? If not now, when?   AFGE urges you to become involved and voice your concerns. Do not let Vision 2025 lead SSA into darkness!   Check our website at: www.afgec220.org for more information. As always, stay up-to-date with our Facebook page RallyPoint! So that we can rally around one another!    In Solidarity, Witold Skwierczynski  President AFGE Council #220  YOUR SSA UNION!   Share                                                              Tweet                                                              Forward to Friend                                                              +1                                                              Share

 

This email was sent to ryangurganious@gmail.com  why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  National Council of SSA Field Operations Locals Council 220 · P.O. Box 47638 · Baltimore, MD 21244 · USA