FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2003
May 13, 2003
Joe Diggs
(602) 768-7327
John Irvine
(202) 639-6419
(602) 768-7327
John Irvine
(202) 639-6419
Phoenix Community Would Be Negatively Impacted By White House Privatization Plan
(PHOENIX)—Over one thousand AFGE members and workers from the Phoenix community will be rallying against President Bush’s decision to privatize the jobs of over 28,000 federal workers in Arizona.
Some who would be affected include workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs, SSA, the Bureau of Prisons, and at Luke Air Force Base.
The rally, which has been called to educate and inform Phoenix residents about Bush’s plan to privatize 28,802 non-postal federal jobs in Arizona and 850,000 nationwide, will take place on:
“The privatization of jobs in every federal agency would negatively impact the quality of services Phoenix taxpayers have come to rely upon while significantly reducing the state’s tax base due to lost wages and benefits,” says AFGE National President Bobby L. Harnage, Sr. “History has shown that privatization does not save money and does not make government more efficient.”
“This privatization plan will become a burden on the Phoenix community,” adds Eugene Hudson, AFGE District 12 National Vice President. “As the pay and benefits of Phoenix workers are cut, local businesses—like our dry cleaners and dentists—will see fewer customers, fewer dollars. And, our local and state governments will lose payroll and sales taxes while also picking up the tab to increase social service programs.”
More than 50 AFL-CIO affiliated unions and community groups from Greater Phoenix will be joining federal workers from AFGE Locals 2382, 1547, 2401, 3964, 2924 and 2991 on May 17.
AFGE is the largest federal employees union in the U.S., representing 600,000 federal and D.C. workers. Log onto www.afge.org for more information on privatization.
Some who would be affected include workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs, SSA, the Bureau of Prisons, and at Luke Air Force Base.
The rally, which has been called to educate and inform Phoenix residents about Bush’s plan to privatize 28,802 non-postal federal jobs in Arizona and 850,000 nationwide, will take place on:
Saturday, May 17
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Encanto Park
15th Ave. & Encanto Blvd.
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Encanto Park
15th Ave. & Encanto Blvd.
“The privatization of jobs in every federal agency would negatively impact the quality of services Phoenix taxpayers have come to rely upon while significantly reducing the state’s tax base due to lost wages and benefits,” says AFGE National President Bobby L. Harnage, Sr. “History has shown that privatization does not save money and does not make government more efficient.”
“This privatization plan will become a burden on the Phoenix community,” adds Eugene Hudson, AFGE District 12 National Vice President. “As the pay and benefits of Phoenix workers are cut, local businesses—like our dry cleaners and dentists—will see fewer customers, fewer dollars. And, our local and state governments will lose payroll and sales taxes while also picking up the tab to increase social service programs.”
More than 50 AFL-CIO affiliated unions and community groups from Greater Phoenix will be joining federal workers from AFGE Locals 2382, 1547, 2401, 3964, 2924 and 2991 on May 17.
AFGE is the largest federal employees union in the U.S., representing 600,000 federal and D.C. workers. Log onto www.afge.org for more information on privatization.
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