[caption id="attachment_637" align="alignleft" width="300"]Local 205 members celebrate the resolution passed by the Chattanooga Council which supports Social Security funding vital services, and protecting jobs.[/caption]

On the eve of Social Security’s 78th birthday, SEIU Local 205 members stood together at City Hall and applauded Chattanooga City Council action on Resolution 27620, which calls on Congress to end the sequester, and balance the federal budget in a way that will create jobs and strengthen our communities.

The resolution was one way thousands of citizens and elected officials all across America are coming together to protect vital services that serve children, working Americans, and seniors.

“Nearly 80 years after Social Security was signed into law, it is still under threat along with other vital services like Head Start, Meals On Wheels, and job education," said Steve West, an SEIU member who works for Chattanooga's Public Works department. "We are happy that Chattanooga's City Council took a stand to protect these vital services which are so crucial to our community.”

In March of this year, $85 billion in across-the-board budget cuts went into effect. These cuts, known as "The Sequester" are a costly wound to our economy and the middle class. At the same time, Congress is also considering cuts to Social Security known as "chained–CPI" which would hurt seniors and puts millions of workers at risk for retirement poverty. Social Security has never contributed to budget deficits and should not be cut as a part of the budget deal. Switching to a chained-CPI would reduce Social Security benefits for current and future retirees by $112 billion over the next 10 years.

"Congress needs to do more to make sure the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share of taxes," said Doug Collier, President of SEIU Local 205. "A fair budget agreement should raise more revenue from wealthy Americans and big corporations. It’s time for Congress to act to restore investment in these vital services, protect Social Security and make corporations pay their fair share."