Social Security experiencing ‘worst crisis’ says labor union
The Social Security Administration “is in the midst of the worst public service crisis in memory caused by historic levels of employee attrition due to uncompetitive pay in benefits, exceedingly low employee morale, and overwhelming workloads,” according to Rich Couture, Council 215 president at the American Federation of Government Employees.
The service delays facing the program’s approximately 67 million beneficiaries are signs of “an agency in crisis,” according to Couture.
Union leaders spoke out about the Social Security Administration’s diminishing services amid funding constraints that have lasted for more than a decade.
Social Security beneficiaries now confront long waits for service on the phone and in person at the agency’s field offices, as agency workers face low staffing levels.
Increased funding for the program, as well as stronger policies to help retain workers, may help, according to the union.